LOGINClaire’s POVThe silence after that kid’s prediction was heavy enough to crush a man. My heart was slamming against my ribs, and I could’nt tell what was going through grey’s mind. He finally broke the tension with a low, mocking nod. "Interesting," he muttered, his voice cold. He bent down until he was eye-level with the kid "Do your parents know you're running this little fraud business, or do they just get a cut?"He clearly didn't believe a word of it, but the weight of what he just said was sitting in my gut like a lead weight. I couldn't be here anymore. The air felt thin, like I was suffocating."I’m cold," I lied, pulling my arms around myself. "I’m done, Grey. Can we just go home?"He took one look at me, my pale face, the way my hands were trembling, and he nodded. He didn't argue. He shrugged off his suit jacket, draped it over my shoulders, and tossed a wad of cash onto the kid's table anyway.The drive back was an agonizing, suffocating silence. I stared out the window, w
Claire’s POVIt’s been a week since I crawled out of that hospital, and I’m still basically a damn prisoner in my own home. Grey is treating me like I’m made of glass, hovering, not letting me lift a finger. I’m bored out of my mind and itching to actually start acting like the director I’m supposed to be, but apparently, my body isn't ready for "work mode" yetThe silence from my stalker has been the worst part. It wasn't relief; it was just a slow-burning paranoia. He knew I was alive. He knew. So, what was the game?My phone buzzed against the nightstand, and the screen lit up with a number I’d memorized in my nightmares. It was a countdown, a reminder of how many days were left. seriously? he almost fucking killed me, yet, he still wanted my help?I didn't think; I just hit call, my blood boiling with pure, unfiltered rage. "Why the fuck are you doing this?" I snapped the second he picked up. "We had an agreement! Fifty days! You don't get to just try and drown me because you’re b
Grey’s POVThe drive back to the hospital was a blur of blurred streetlights and white-hot rage. I kept dialing Felix’s number, but every time it went to voicemail, I felt like I was going to explode. I slammed my palm against the steering wheel until my knuckles bruised. Pick up the fucking phone, you piece of shit.When I skidded into the hospital parking lot, I didn't even bother parking properly. I stormed into the ICU waiting area, my eyes locking onto Hannah. Alto was gone. Perfect.I crossed that room in three strides, grabbed her by the collar, and slammed her back against the wall. She let out a pathetic, high-pitched gasp. "Where is he?" I snarled, my voice vibrating with everything I’d been holding back."I…I already told him!" she stammered, her eyes wide with genuine terror. "He knows! He’s on his way, I swear…""Get your hands off her!" Felix’s voice boomed from the hallway. He didn't even slow down; he charged, tackling me into the middle of the room. We hit the floor, a
Claire’s POVMy head was pounding. After two hours of fake smiles and shaking hands with people I had just seen for the very first time in my life, I needed out so i headed to the rooftop to go meet Felix. I pushed open the heavy door, the cool night air finally hitting my face. Felix was already there, hunched over a small table. There was a thin line of white powder laid out, a whiskey bottle sitting next to it. He jumped, his hand moving to cover the stash like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar."Relax," I said, stepping into the light. "It’s just me."He exhaled, a jagged, shaky sound. "Fuck. I thought you were Grey coming here to judge me.""Hardly," I muttered, walking over to the edge. "What are you doing up here alone?""The party is a bore, and the people are even worse," he said, his voice unusually raspy. He stared at the powder for a second before looking up at me, his eyes glassy. "I needed a break from the noise.""If you’re constantly scared of getting ca
Claire’s POVThe morning of the inauguration felt like a death sentence. I woke up with my chest so tight I could barely drag in a breath, my skin crawling with the anticipation of what the fuck this stalker was planning. It was D-Day.I stumbled into the shower, cranking the water to scalding, trying to scrub the cold dread off my skin. It didn't work. As the steam filled the bathroom, my mind went to the darkest places. Dad. Stephano. I’d failed them both. I was supposed to be the avenging angel, the girl who ended the De Lucas, but here I was, drowning in the fact that I was actually in love with the fucking monster who’d pulled the trigger on my family. 'God, why will you let this happen to me?' i found myself questioning God for my own mistakesIt’s just infatuation, I told myself, clutching the shower wall until my knuckles turned white. No sane human falls in love with a man who murdered their kin. I had to believe that. It was the only thing keeping me from snapping.I stepped
Claire’s POVMy pulse was thrumming in my ears, a frantic, uneven rhythm that drowned out the hum of the house.I reached the door to Grey’s room, the metal handle cold against my palm. I stared at the wood, my hand trembling so violently that the knife felt like an anchor dragging me down. Do it. End it. Save yourself. The words were a mantra, but my feet were lead. I stood there, paralyzed by the sheer weight of the choice, my breath hitching as I realized I was shaking like a leaf."Don't just stand there in the dark, Leah. Come in."My heart stopped. His voice was rough, low, and terrifyingly close, despite the barrier between us. I froze, my throat clicking shut. Was he talking to me? How could he..."I can see your shadow under the door," he added, his tone tinged with a weary sort of amusement.The air rushed out of my lungs. He wasn't asleep. He hadn't been asleep this entire time. A cold, brutal realization washed over me. this was a waste of time because there was no way I c
Claire’s POVPanic bubbled in my chest.Felix leaned in, lowering his voice to a sinful whisper. “Better make a choice fast, baby. You wanna look like you tripped into my lap, or admit you like being there?”I shoved him hard, finally freeing myself from his grip just seconds before the footsteps r
Claire’s POV“I said Claire,” she repeated, her voice soft but firm. “Because that’s your real name, isn’t it?”My heart thudded painfully in my chest. I backed up a step.“I think you’re mistaken—”“I’m not,” Evelyn cut in smoothly. “Claire Moskvin Frederickson. Daughter of Frederick. I worked for
Claire’s POVThe makeup artist took a step back as she admires her work, she looked proud as she did. “you look perfect and ready to go, Miss” she said as a small smile crept unto her face. I took a look at myself on the mirror and was also impressed by how much i have changed. My hair was style in
Claire’s POVI rolled my eyes in disgust as I watched the woman still half-naked, linger on Grey’s bed. I couldn’t care less about her; if anything, she was just another ugly reminder of how messed up this whole situation was. Before I could process it further, Grey emerged from the bathroom, fresh







