Chapter 6 - THE VALE FOUNDATION
The next morning, Claire received an envelope.
There was no return address.
Inside was a key.
An old brass key.
And a note.
BELL TOWER. MIDNIGHT.
Claire spent the entire day debating whether to go.
Her fear told her to stay home.
Her anger told her to go.
At midnight, she stood beneath the old church bell tower.
The door was unlocked.
She climbed the stairs.
At the top, a man stood beside the window.
He was in his sixties.
Silver hair.
Dark coat.
Tired eyes.
Claire stopped.
He turned.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he said her name.
"Claire."
She knew the voice.
She had heard it in recordings.
She had heard it in childhood memories.
She had heard it in dreams.
"Papa?"
His eyes filled with tears.
Claire couldn't move.
Then she ran.
He caught her.
She cried against his chest.
He whispered apologies.
"I thought you were dead."
"So did everyone."
"I had to disappear."
"Why?"
"Because Julian's father was hunting me."
Claire pulled back.
"Julian's father?"
Her father nodded.
"Edward Vale."
"The billionaire?"
"Yes."
Claire's breath caught.
Edward Vale had created one of the largest private investment groups in the country.
Julian had inherited the name.
But not the fortune.
Not entirely.
Her father explained.
Years ago, Edward Vale had been involved in illegal financial schemes.
Claire's father discovered them.
He tried to expose him.
Edward retaliated.
Claire's father vanished.
Julian grew up believing that destroying Claire would avenge his father's disgrace.
Claire stared at him.
"So Julian married me because of you?"
"Yes."
Her father closed his eyes.
"I never wanted that."
Claire stepped away.
For the first time, she understood the true cruelty of her marriage.
It had never been about love.
May you like
It had been revenge.
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