Chapter 12 - The Price of Love
The wind at the pier was biting, dragging cold sea air across my face as Daniel walked up, looking exhausted and disheveled.
I threw the paper at his chest.
He caught it, looked down, and his face drained of what little color he had left.
“Claire… let me explain—”
“You were bought!” I screamed, the wind swallowing my voice. “My mother paid for your degree! You didn’t fall in love with me at that gallery! You were hired to be the dutiful husband so Mom could keep me tied to her family orbit!”
“That’s not true!” Daniel yelled back, tears springing to his eyes. “I took the loan from your mother because my father was dying in the hospital and I had no other choice! I didn't even know you existed when she offered the loan!”
I stared at him, stunned.
“She approached me at my university accounting office,” Daniel choked out. “She knew I was broke. She offered to cover my tuition and my dad’s medical bills if I signed a promissory note. But six months later, when she introduced us, I fell in love with you for real, Claire! I swear on my life!”
“Then why did you keep the contract?” I asked, tears streaming down my face. “Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because the clause wasn't just about money,” Daniel said, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “Look at page three, Claire. Look at who actually funded that trust account.”
I snatched the document back and turned to the final page.
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The name at the bottom of the wire transfer wasn't Eleanor.
It was Mark.
