Chapter 4 - SOPHIA'S SECRET
Sophia met Claire that evening in a private café.
She arrived alone.
No bodyguards.
No Julian.
No expensive entourage.
She placed a folder on the table.
"I want this over."
Claire did not touch it.
"What's inside?"
"Proof Julian lied to you."
Claire almost laughed.
"I already know."
"This is different."
Claire opened the folder.
Her breath caught.
There were marriage papers.
Julian and Sophia had been planning to marry six weeks after the date Claire was supposed to have died.
Sophia had not known Claire was alive.
She had believed Julian's story.
Until the night at the Bellmont.
"There is more," Sophia whispered.
She pushed another photograph across the table.
Julian.
A man Claire didn't recognize.
And an older woman.
Claire knew the woman.
She had seen her at the hotel.
The hotel owner.
Margaret Bellmont.
Claire looked up.
"What does she have to do with this?"
Sophia's expression changed.
"Everything."
Margaret Bellmont wasn't simply the owner of the hotel.
Her family had invested in Julian's company years ago.
When Julian disappeared, Margaret had refused to transfer certain assets.
Those assets were tied to Claire's family.
Claire frowned.
"My family?"
Sophia nodded.
"Your father was a financier."
Claire stared at her.
"My father died when I was twelve."
"That's what Julian told you."
The words landed like a blow.
Claire stood.
"You're lying."
Sophia shook her head.
"Your father didn't die."
Silence.
"He disappeared."
"Why?"
"Because Julian was looking for him."
Claire sat down again.
She stared at the folder.
Three years ago, she had thought Julian had destroyed her life.
Now she was beginning to understand.
Julian had not created the destruction.
He had inherited it.
May you like
And someone else had taught him how to do it.
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