Chapter 118 Chapter 118
Adrian was in his office that morning, busy going through some files. He had a small smile on his face because things had been going well — Savannah, Liam, and everything at home felt peaceful. He didn’t even notice when his assistant entered.
“Sir, there’s someone here to see you,” the assistant said.
Adrian looked up. “Who?”
“She said her name is Clara.”
Adrian froze for a moment. That name brought back memories he didn’t expect to hear again. “Clara?” he repeated quietly.
“Yes, sir. Should I send her away?”
Adrian sighed deeply. “No, let her in.”
A few seconds later, Clara walked in wearing a tight red dress and high heels. She still looked beautiful — the same woman who once made him believe love wasn’t real. She smiled a little, but her eyes were full of something sharp.
“Adrian,” she said softly, closing the door behind her. “You didn’t even tell me congratulations.”
Adrian leaned back in his chair, calm but guarded. “Congratulations for what?”
“For your new woman,” Clara said, her tone bitter. “I heard you finally found someone to replace me.”
Adrian folded his hands. “Clara, please don’t start. We both know why things ended between us.”
Clara scoffed. “Oh, don’t give me that. You just woke up one morning and decided I wasn’t good enough anymore. No explanation, no goodbye, nothing. You just walked away!”
Adrian’s voice stayed calm. “You know I didn’t want to fight anymore. You made things too difficult, Clara. I needed peace.”
“Peace?” she repeated, her eyes flashing. “So I was your chaos? That’s what I was to you?”
Adrian looked at her quietly for a moment before speaking. “You wanted things I couldn’t give. You wanted control, not love.”
Clara slammed her hand on the desk. “And she gives you peace, right? That girl who came from nowhere! You just replaced me like I never mattered.”
Adrian stood up slowly, his face serious. “You came here to shout, Clara. But I won’t argue with you. You moved on long ago. Why does it matter now?”
Clara laughed coldly. “Moved on? You think I ever moved on from you, Adrian? You broke me, and now you act like none of it matters.”
Adrian sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “You made your choices. I made mine. You cheated, Clara. You hurt me. You made me stop believing in love. Don’t come here and pretend you’re the victim.”
Clara’s eyes widened. “You think I cheated because I didn’t love you? I was angry, Adrian! Angry that you were always too busy, always distant! I needed your attention.”
“And you chose to find it in someone else’s arms,” Adrian said quietly. “That was your mistake, not mine.”
For a moment, silence filled the office. Clara’s voice softened. “So… you really love her?”
Adrian nodded slowly. “Yes. I do.”
Clara blinked fast, trying to hold back tears. “And what about us?”
“There is no ‘us,’” he said gently. “There hasn’t been for a long time.”
Clara stared at him for a few seconds, then laughed weakly. “You’ve changed, Adrian. You used to look at me the way you probably look at her now. I guess I was never the right one.”
Adrian didn’t respond. He just looked at her with calm eyes.
Clara picked up her bag, wiping her eyes quickly. “I hope she never breaks your heart like I did. Because you might not survive it this time.”
She turned and walked toward the door.
“Clara,” Adrian said softly. She stopped but didn’t turn.
“I forgive you,” he said. “For everything. But please… don’t come here again. I’ve moved on.”
Clara took a deep breath and nodded slowly before walking out.
When the door closed, Adrian sat back in his chair, feeling a strange mix of peace and sadness. He hadn’t seen her in so long, and now it felt like that part of his life had finally ended for good.
He looked at the picture of Savannah and baby Liam on his desk and smiled. “My peace,” he whispered to himself.
Outside, Clara stepped into her car. As soon as she sat down, her tears fell freely. “You’ll regret this, Adrian,” she muttered under her breath. “No one replaces me that easily.”