Chapter 3

The man approaching wore a pristine white suit, his features as striking as a painting. His eyes and brows bore an uncanny resemblance to Claire's, and his gaze rested on her with a softness like wind.

It was Julian Sterling, Claire's brother. Behind him trailed a group of friends — and among them, Vivienne, in a flowing white dress, her face fresh and pretty, the picture of sweet innocence.

And there was Ethan — the man who'd abandoned Claire at the entrance — standing beside Vivienne with a warm expression, chatting with her and smiling.

Claire's mind went blank for a moment. Before she could speak, Priscilla was already running to Vivienne in tears. "Vivienne, your sister is out of control! All I said was she shouldn't come to a banquet without any jewelry and she hit me!"

"She called my mother a mistress. Just because my mom was the other woman, does that mean I deserve to be slapped?"

Claire opened her mouth to defend herself, but Vivienne beat her to it, eyes already glistening with tears. "Claire, even if Priscilla said something wrong, you can't just hit people."

Claire's gaze cut to Priscilla. "If she hadn't run her mouth about my mother, I wouldn't have touched her."

Ethan frowned, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Claire, that's Vivienne's friend, and she's a Thorne. Even if she was out of line, you don't slap someone in front of everyone."

Standing there under the weight of countless stares, Claire clenched her fists, alone and defenseless, her heart sinking like a stone. She was about to say something when a figure stepped in front of her.

Julian. His handsome face was the picture of composure as he offered Priscilla an apologetic smile. "Claire's been spoiled her whole life. Let me apologize on her behalf."

Claire stiffened, glaring at him. "Julian, I'm not the one who was wrong. She was the one running her mouth."

Julian's smile stayed gentle, but his eyes turned cold. Claire's mind snapped into focus. He was angry. Why?

His lips barely moved. "Claire. It's all the same."

Claire gritted her teeth, staring at his calm, detached face, an ache spreading through her chest.

Priscilla's pale cheeks flushed pink. She looked up at Julian with shy eyes. "For your sake, I won't hold it against this... woman."

Vivienne's expression shifted to something wounded and aggrieved. "I know you've always hated me, Claire. And hated the other woman."

"But my mother and father couldn't help what happened between them. We don't get to choose who we're born to. If I could, I'd want to be a legitimate daughter too — with a father who loves me, and a brother who looks out for me."

"But not everyone is as lucky as you, born the Sterling princess. I'm sorry." Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she turned and fled the room as if she couldn't take it anymore.

Ethan started to go after her but stopped, his dark eyes settling on Claire with undisguised disappointment. "Do you have any idea how happy Vivienne was that you were getting out today? And then you say something like that. I've been too lenient with you. That's how you ended up this way."

He turned and went after Vivienne without looking back. The crowd's eyes bored into Claire from every direction, and her rage reached its peak.

Vivienne's mother was the one who'd seduced her father. Yet Vivienne had the nerve to stand there and cry about wanting to steal Claire's family — and somehow she was the victim?

Fury flooded her brain, but when she met Julian's even gaze, the fire drained away, replaced by something bleak and absurd. "Julian... do you really think this was my fault?"

Julian looked weary. He pinched the bridge of his nose, a tired sigh escaping him as he regarded the sister he'd watched grow up. His voice softened. "Claire, we were picking out a gift for you — that's why we weren't there to meet you."

Something about his tone felt off, like he was placating her, handling her. Claire froze. She'd seen him use that same patient manner on women who pursued him, only to toss their gifts in the trash the moment they turned away.

And now she was the one being handled. Claire just looked at him, saying nothing.

He hadn't always been like this. After their mother's accident, he'd doted on her completely.

When they were children, his favorite toy was off-limits to everyone — but because she wanted it, he'd given it to her without hesitation.

Even when he went to study in London, he'd come back every month to visit, always with a gift.

After the car crash, when Claire survived because their mother had shielded her with her own body, Julian had been terrified of losing her too. He'd assigned bodyguards to watch over her every move.

Then Vivienne and Diane appeared, and everything changed.