Chapter 65 65

Chapter 65 65
Raymond’s breathing was still heavy against the crook of Clara’s neck as the luxury SUV cut through the London streets, which were beginning to dampen with a light drizzle. His grip did not loosen in the slightest, as if letting go for even an inch would allow the bitter reality of the gallery earlier to snatch his wife away again. Inside the soundproof cabin, there was only a suffocating silence, filled with the faint, lingering scent of chloroform still clinging to Clara’s clothes.

"Ray," Clara whispered, her voice raspy. She could feel her husband’s body still trembling from the residual adrenaline and rage. "We’re safe now. I’m okay."

Raymond took a long breath, then slowly pulled his face away. His gray eyes looked dim, harboring an old wound that had just been forcibly reopened by Julian Vane. He cupped Clara’s face with both hands, his thumbs brushing away the remaining tears on her cheeks.

"I almost lost you, Clara. Again," Raymond’s voice sounded broken. "Every time I think I’m strong enough to protect you, my past comes back to prove how wrong I am."

Clara stared into those eyes, searching for the truth behind the letter she had read earlier. "About that girl... Chloe. Is what he said true?"

Raymond turned his face away for a moment, watching the raindrops streaking across the window glass. He knew this moment would come. The moment he had to be naked before the woman he loved, showing the darkest side of the soul he had once been so proud of.

"Julian was right about one thing, Clara. I was a bastard back in university," Raymond began, his voice flat but filled with regret. "I saw the world as a chessboard, and the people around me were just pawns. Chloe... she was a very fragile girl. She sent me letters every day, waited for me in front of class, and even tried to enter my toxic circle of friends."

He paused for a moment, his jaw tightening. "That night, at the graduation party, she declared her love in front of everyone. I didn’t just reject her; I humiliated her. I told her she would never be worthy of standing by my side. I didn’t kill her with my own hands, Clara. But I killed her self-esteem. I didn’t know that night was her breaking point. Two weeks later, Julian found his sister lifeless in her room."

Clara felt her heart sink. She imagined the poor young girl, shattered by love rejected in the cruelest way possible. Yet, she also looked at the man in front of her now. The man who had just wept in the gallery for fear of losing her.

"Do you regret it, Ray?" Clara asked softly.

Raymond turned back, his eyes glassy. "Every day since I met you. When I see how sincere you are, I realize how evil I was in the past. Julian has the right to hate me. He has the right to want to destroy me. But he had no right to touch you. You are my redemption, Clara. I won’t let Chloe’s shadow swallow you, too."

Clara let out a long breath. She reached for Raymond’s hand and kissed the back of it. "I won’t say that what you did back then was right, Ray. It was cruel. But I know you now. The man who saved my father, the man who loves his children, and the man who was willing to die for me in that gallery earlier. I choose to believe in the man standing in front of me right now."

Raymond pulled Clara back into his arms, this time with an overwhelming sense of relief. "Thank you, Clara. Thank you for still being willing to see me as a human being."

The sun had just risen over the London horizon the next day, casting a golden hue on the skyscrapers in the City of London. Inside his luxurious new office, Raymond sat behind his mahogany desk. There was no longer any trace of the fragility from the night before. There was only the cold and unforgiving CEO of Craig Corporation.

"Joel, give me the report," Raymond commanded without looking up from the documents in front of him.

Joel stepped forward, placing a file on the desk. "Julian Vane has been transferred to a maximum-security prison on the outskirts of London. Our lawyers have ensured that the charges of kidnapping, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm will keep him rotting there for a very long time. Our legal team has also filed a countersuit for defamation and business sabotage."

Raymond nodded coldly. "What about the Vane Group?"

"As you ordered, sir. All memorandums of understanding and cooperation contracts have been unilaterally canceled. We used the moral and legal breach clauses to avoid cancellation penalties. Currently, Vane Group shares are in a freefall on the London Stock Exchange. They are being destroyed, sir," Joel reported with a tone of satisfaction.

"Good. Make sure not a single company in Europe dares to touch their remaining assets. I want Julian to know that from behind bars, he has lost everything," Raymond hissed. "And I don’t want to hear that name in my family’s circle ever again."

"Certainly, Mr. Craig. Oh, and there is one more piece of good news," Joel smiled thinly. "Lord Harrington, the owner of Harrington Global, contacted me this morning. He heard we canceled our partnership with Vane and he offered to take over the entire funding for the peninsula project. He is a long-time client of the Miller family, and his reputation is impeccable."

Raymond leaned back in his chair, a faint, triumphant smile appearing on his lips. "Harrington. That is a much better choice. Arrange a meeting with him for tomorrow afternoon. I want to ensure this transition goes smoothly before we return to America."

"Very well, sir."

Raymond looked out the window toward the bustling city of London. The great storm had finally passed. He had eliminated the last threat haunting his past. Now, he could focus on the only thing that truly mattered in his life: his family.

That night, the atmosphere at The Shard restaurant, located on the top floor of London’s tallest building, felt truly magical. The giant glass walls displayed a view of the entire city, which was scattered with lights like jewels. At a private table surrounded by fresh flowers, the Craig family gathered to celebrate the return of their peace.

"Look at that, Alex! The lights are like stars falling to earth," Clara said, pointing toward the shimmering River Thames.

Alexander pressed his face to the glass, his eyes wide with wonder. "So pretty, Mom! Can we fly there?"

Raymond laughed, holding Norah, who was busy playing with the collar of her father’s shirt. "Maybe one day, champ. But tonight, let’s have a good meal first. Do you want steak or pasta?"

"Chocolate pasta!" Alexander exclaimed cheerfully, making the whole table laugh, including Michael, who sat beside Clara.

"This kid really can’t be separated from chocolate," Michael shook his head with a smile. He looked at his daughter with a gaze full of gratitude. "You look so happy tonight, Clara. I’m relieved to see you smiling again."

Clara held her father’s hand. "I am happy, Dad. Very happy."

The waiter began serving the appetizers—perfectly cooked scallops and fresh salad. The dinner atmosphere was filled with warmth. Raymond no longer looked like the feared CEO; he was an attentive husband, constantly ensuring Clara’s plate was full and occasionally whispering sweet words that made Clara’s cheeks flush.

In the middle of their cheerful conversation, Clara’s phone, which was lying on the table, vibrated. A name appeared on the screen, making Clara instantly beam.

"Grandma!" Clara exclaimed as she answered the call. "Hello, Grandma?"

Mrs. Miller’s authoritative yet loving voice sounded from the other end of the line. "Clara, darling? How are you? I heard about what happened at that gallery. Raymond already told me everything. I almost flew to London that very night if your husband hadn’t forbidden me."

"I’m fine, Grandma. Raymond is taking very good care of me. The problem is resolved now," Clara answered, glancing at Raymond, who gave her a small nod.

"Thank God. You know, I couldn’t sit still here knowing my grandchild and great-grandchildren were far away without my supervision," Mrs. Miller chuckled softly. "So, I’ve decided. I’m leaving for London tomorrow morning. I want to spend the rest of your vacation there together."

Clara’s eyes sparkled. "Are you serious, Grandma? You’re coming here?"

"Of course. Prepare the best room in that hotel for me, Clara. I miss Alexander and little Norah. And tell your husband I want him to join me for tea at Hyde Park the day after tomorrow," Mrs. Miller said.

"Of course, Grandma! We’ll be waiting for you. Travel safely."

Clara hung up the phone and looked at Raymond enthusiastically. "Ray! Grandma Miller is coming tomorrow! She’s joining us in London!"

Raymond raised his eyebrows, then smiled broadly. "Wow, it looks like this vacation is going to be much livelier. But that’s good. Mrs. Miller always knows how to liven up the atmosphere."

"Hooray! Great-Grandma Miller is coming!" Alexander cheered, even though his mouth was still a little full of food.

The night ended with a feeling of immense satisfaction. As they left the restaurant and walked toward the car, the London night air felt cool against their skin. Raymond wrapped his arm around Clara’s waist, pulling her close.

"Are you ready for the next adventure with your grandmother?" Raymond teased.

Clara rested her head on Raymond’s shoulder. "As long as I’m with you and the kids, I’m ready for anything, Ray."

Raymond kissed Clara’s forehead for a long moment. Under the magnificent London sky, he realized that his life was now perfect. The contract of love that he had once started with arrogance and coercion had now transformed into a sacred bond that would not be shaken by any storm. They stepped into the Maybach, leaving the darkness of the past behind and heading toward a dawn of the future filled with hope and eternal love.

The European vacation was still long, and with the arrival of Mrs. Miller, a new chapter of the Craig family’s happiness had just begun. No more secrets, no more fear. There was only Raymond, Clara, and a love that had conquered everything.