CHAPTER 4
1043 Words
A Shattered Illusion
Clara’s stomach twisted into knots as Vivian’s words echoed in her ears.
“James didn’t run. He was taken.”
The dining room fell into a suffocating silence, thick with tension.
Smith sat still, his expression unreadable. But his silence spoke louder than any denial ever could.
Clara’s fingers dug into the tablecloth. He knew.
Her heartbeat roared in her ears as she turned to him. “Tell me she’s lying.”
Smith lifted his wine glass, swirling the deep red liquid lazily before taking a sip. “Vivian always did have a flair for the dramatic.”
Vivian smirked. “And you always did have a habit of twisting the truth.”
Clara’s breathing grew uneven. “Smith, tell me right now—where is James?”
He set his glass down with a soft clink, then leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know.”
“Bullshit.” Clara pushed back from the table, her chair screeching against the floor. “You married me because James wasn’t here. You knew something was wrong. And you let me believe he abandoned me.”
Smith’s sharp blue eyes locked onto hers, but he said nothing.
Clara’s pulse pounded. He isn’t denying it.
Vivian exhaled, crossing her arms. “Poor Clara. You really thought James left you at the altar?”
The blood drained from Clara’s face.
Vivian tilted her head. “You really thought he didn’t love you?”
Clara swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
Vivian’s smirk softened just a fraction. “Then let me help you.” She leaned in, voice hushed. “James was last seen in Miami. He was supposed to be at the wedding. But someone got to him first.”
A sharp pang of nausea twisted Clara’s stomach.
“I don’t understand,” she whispered. “Who—who took him?”
Vivian’s gaze flicked toward Smith. “I was hoping your husband could answer that.”
Clara turned to Smith, her chest tightening.
“Tell me,” she demanded, her voice shaking.
Smith exhaled, rubbing his temple. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Clara slammed her fist on the table. “Try me.”
His gaze flickered, something dangerous simmering beneath the surface. Then, finally, he sighed.
“There are things happening in this city that you don’t know about, Clara. Things that have nothing to do with you.”
Her jaw clenched. “James has everything to do with me.”
Smith leaned forward, his voice dropping to a warning tone. “And now that you’re my wife, you do what I say.”
Clara flinched, but she refused to back down. “I don’t belong to you.”
Smith’s lips curled slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Don’t you?”
A Dangerous Proposal
Vivian exhaled loudly, rolling her eyes. “As much as I love watching this toxic love fest, we have more important matters.”
She turned to Clara. “You want to know the truth?”
Clara’s throat was dry, but she nodded.
Vivian leaned in, her voice a whisper. “Then let’s find James.”
Clara’s heart stuttered.
Smith’s eyes darkened. “Absolutely not.”
Vivian smirked. “You don’t get to decide, Richmond.”
Smith clenched his jaw. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with, Vivian.”
She tilted her head. “And you do?”
Silence stretched between them.
Clara’s mind spun. “Wait—so you think James is alive?”
Vivian’s smirk faded. “I think he’s in trouble.”
Clara’s pulse pounded.
Smith exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Enough.” He turned to Clara, his expression unreadable. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Clara stiffened. “You don’t control me.”
His gaze darkened. “You’re my wife.”
Vivian whistled. “Possessive much?”
Clara ignored her. “You kept me locked in a room. You let me think James left me. And now, when I have a chance to find out the truth, you expect me to just sit here?”
Smith’s jaw tightened. “It’s for your own good.”
Clara’s temper flared. “Screw my ‘own good.’ I want answers.”
Smith’s fingers drummed against the table. He exhaled sharply, then stood. “Fine.”
Clara blinked. “Fine?”
Smith’s gaze flickered with something unreadable. “If you want answers, I’ll give them to you.”
Vivian narrowed her eyes. “What’s the catch?”
A slow smirk curved Smith’s lips. “I come with you.”
Clara’s stomach twisted.
“No,” Vivian said immediately.
Smith turned to Clara. “Your choice, sweetheart. You go with me, or you don’t go at all.”
Clara swallowed hard, a storm raging inside her.
Can I really trust him?
Vivian’s expression darkened. “You’re walking into a trap.”
But Clara had no choice.
She inhaled sharply, her heart hammering. Then—
“Fine. But if you lie to me again, this marriage is over.”
Smith’s smirk didn’t falter. “Noted.”
The Ride into Darkness
An hour later, Clara found herself in the back of a sleek black car, Smith beside her, Vivian in the front seat.
The city lights blurred past as they sped toward Miami.
Clara’s fingers fidgeted in her lap. “Where exactly are we going?”
Smith leaned back, relaxed. “A place where questions get answered.”
Vivian scoffed. “You mean where people disappear.”
Clara’s stomach twisted. “What does that mean?”
Smith’s gaze remained on the road. “You’ll see soon enough.”
A cold shiver ran down Clara’s spine.
They drove for what felt like hours before pulling up to a gated estate on the outskirts of Miami.
It was nothing like the Richmond mansion—this was darker, colder, more sinister.
Clara hesitated. “Where are we?”
Smith didn’t answer as he stepped out.
Vivian shot Clara a warning glance. “Whatever happens, don’t trust him.”
Clara’s throat tightened. “I don’t.”
But as she stepped out of the car, she knew—
It didn’t matter who she trusted anymore.
Because she was already in too deep.
- Writer
