Chapter 3 Her Dream Had Shattered For Good

When Clara was just ten, her parents died in a terrible car accident. It happened while they were managing a project that would decide the future of their entire company, and it fell on her birthday. After that, the Curtis family took her in.

Every year on this painful day, Declan made sure she was never alone. He would drop everything, canceling every meeting and commitment. He always came home early, ready to lift her spirits and shield her from any sadness.

This year was different. He did not remember.

A lump formed in Clara's throat. She was about to say something, but the sound of hurried footsteps cut her off.

Lorraine walked up just then, slipping her arm through Declan's and greeting him with a gentle, knowing smile. "You're being far too serious. It must be because Clara misses you, since you're always working. She just wants some time together. There's no reason to turn it into an issue."

The moment Lorraine leaned against him, Declan's cool expression faded. His words came out much softer. "What brings you out here?"

Pouting, Lorraine whispered, "I only wanted to remind you that tomorrow marks our first anniversary." She giggled and continued, "But it really isn't that important. As long as you love me, I don't need any celebration. You should keep Clara company instead."

Declan barely spared Clara a glance. "She doesn't have anything important going on," he said, brushing her off. When he turned to Lorraine, his tone became warm again. "Pick anywhere you want to celebrate tomorrow. I'll make all the arrangements. My assistant will keep my schedule clear."

Lorraine acted surprised. "Really? But I don't think that's..."

"Nothing matters more than your happiness." Turning to Clara with a look that said he had only now noticed her, Declan spoke briskly. "Cancel all my meetings for tomorrow. Reserve a private box at Harmony Concert Hall, the rooftop restaurant at Gemini Hotel, and book the presidential suite at Luxury Hotel for the night."

Clara did not move. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead.

The pain inside her chest was overwhelming, as if she had been struck by countless blades all at once.

She gave a stiff nod, her voice barely more than a raspy whisper when she said, "Understood."

Declan's words about the paparazzi barely made it through her daze. He announced that he would be taking Lorraine home himself. Her job here was finished.

The two of them left the second floor of the hospital together, side by side, arms wrapped around each other.

Alone in the corridor, Clara did not move. Strangers hurried past, and the sharp smell of disinfectant clung to the air, sinking into her skin like a cold shroud.

A chilly numbness took hold of her, as if she had been dropped into freezing water with nothing to hold onto. It did not matter how much she struggled. There was no hand reaching for her. No comfort. No hope.

Nothing would bring Declan back to her side, not like before. He would never again risk everything just to pull her from beneath the ice, as he had done before.

He had let her go for good.

Whether she lived or not meant nothing to him.

He would not come to her rescue again.

The pain kept growing, heavy and relentless, as if it would bury her where she stood. Right then, Clara realized her heart had already died.

Maybe she had been dead to him for a long time, ever since her birthday party two years ago.

On that night, the whole city seemed to shine for her. There was a grand party atop the Gemini Hotel. The fireworks went on for hours, lighting up the sky, and the sweet smell of sunflowers, her favorite, filled every street and corner, making her believe that anything was possible.

Hope fluttered in her chest as she drained her wine, heart racing. Pushed by longing, she flung herself into his arms and kissed him.

A heartbeat later, Declan struck her, hard enough that she fell to the floor.

Everything spun as she lay there, and the truth hit her-her dream had shattered for good.

The years that came after, she tried to pretend nothing had happened. She stayed close to him, thinking that even the smallest moments were enough.

She never saw the truth until now. The dream she kept chasing had already been lost, far beyond repair.