Chapter 22

Ethan's eyes brimmed with tears the moment he saw her. "Claire, do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you? How can you do this to me and your brother?"

Julian was white as a sheet, his face etched with grief. "Claire, I know you're angry with me. I didn't know the truth back then. If I had, I never would have treated you that way."

"I've already had Vivienne and Diane thrown in prison. Can't you at least come home and see Dad? He's been waiting for you."

Claire didn't move. Didn't waver. Julian kept going, describing how Richard had spiraled after she left — drinking himself into depression, until the alcohol destroyed his stomach and the doctors found cancer.

"Claire, I'm begging you. Come back to the Sterlings. Give me a chance to make things right. You don't know how many nights I've dreamed of finding you dead."

"This is all my fault. I promised Mom I'd protect you, and I failed. I'm sorry."

Ethan tried to push past the security line to get closer to her, but the guards held him back. He forced down his desperation, the words tumbling out in a frantic rush.

"Claire, I know you must be so disappointed in me. But it was Vivienne — that scheming little parasite seduced me. That's the only reason I made that mistake."

"Just come back. I don't care about the baby. I swear I'll treat you right this time."

Claire almost laughed at the absurdity. "I never asked you to come looking for me. I nearly died in London because of your little manhunt. If either of you had an ounce of decency, you'd have stayed away."

Their eyes glistened. Julian tilted his head back, squeezing his eyes shut for a long moment. When he finally looked at her, his gaze was steady. "Claire... are you happy?"

A smile touched Claire's eyes. "Very happy. Even happier if the two of you disappeared from my life for good."

The words landed like a physical blow. Neither of them had expected her to say something so devastating.

Ethan's expression turned stormy, his glare burning into Dominic at Claire's side. "This is his doing. He's manipulated you into turning your back on your own family."

He lunged forward, but Julian caught his arm. Julian closed his eyes. "Ethan. Enough. If Claire is happy, nothing else matters."

He turned to Dominic. "From now on, take care of my sister. If you ever let her down, I will make you pay."

Dominic's lips curved in a thin, cutting smile. "She's my wife. I'll take care of her just fine. I don't believe that's any of your concern, Mr. Sterling."

Ethan stared at Julian in disbelief. "What are you doing? We agreed we'd get her back!"

Julian's face was ghostly pale. He managed a bleak smile. "But she doesn't want to come back. She says she's happy. So I won't interfere anymore."

Ethan was livid. "Have you lost your mind? You're handing her over to this bastard? Do you know how long we searched for her because of him?"

"I know. But Claire chose him. As long as she's happy, I won't stand in the way. But if he ever does anything to hurt her, the Sterling family will destroy him."

Not long after, Richard passed away. Before his death, he'd left the majority of his estate to Claire. A video recorded on his deathbed surfaced online.

On the hospital bed, Richard looked decades older than his years, tears streaming down his withered face. "Claire... I keep thinking about when you were little. Your mother loved you so much. But I failed to protect you. I'm sorry."

He died with his eyes still open, unable to find peace.

When the video spread online, the public turned on Claire. Thousands condemned her, calling her cold-hearted and ungrateful.