Chapter 7 - The Woman in the Red CoatBy noon, Clara’s name was trending nationwide.
Half the internet called her graceful.
The other half accused her of marrying danger and pretending to be innocent.
Dominic wanted her to stay home.
Clara refused.
At three o’clock, she arrived at Harbor Light’s downtown office wearing a simple black dress, Dominic’s security discreetly nearby.
The young receptionist looked startled.
“Mrs. Raines?”
“Clara, please.”
The receptionist blushed. “The director is expecting you.”
Clara was halfway down the hall when a woman stepped out of the waiting area.
She wore a red coat, black gloves, and the tired elegance of someone who had survived expensive cruelty.
“Clara Bennett?”
Clara stopped.
“Yes?”
The woman’s eyes filled. “You don’t know me. My name is Maren Vale.”
Clara’s body went cold.
Vale.
Adrian Vale.
Security moved closer.
Maren noticed and lifted both hands. “I’m not here to hurt you.”
Clara forced herself to breathe.
“What do you want?”
Maren swallowed. “To thank you.”
Clara stared.
Maren looked down at her gloves. “Adrian was my brother. Everyone thinks Dominic Raines destroyed him out of jealousy. That is not true.”
Clara could barely speak. “You know?”
“I was one of the women he hurt.”
The hallway seemed to tilt.
Maren’s voice shook. “Dominic found me after your incident. He asked if there were others. No one had ever asked that before. He gave us lawyers, protection, money we didn’t have to beg for, and a way out.”
Clara’s eyes burned.
“Why come now?”
“Because Nolan Whitmore’s people contacted me this morning.”
Clara stiffened.
Maren opened her purse and removed an envelope.
“They offered me two million dollars to say Dominic threatened me into silence.”
Clara took the envelope slowly.
Inside were printed emails.
Names.
Numbers.
Proof.
Maren whispered, “I said no. But someone else may say yes.”
Clara’s fingers tightened.
At that moment, Dominic called.
She answered.
“Clara, where are you?”
“At Harbor Light.”
A pause. “With whom?”
Clara looked at Maren.
“A woman Nolan should have left alone.”
Dominic understood immediately.
His voice became dangerous.
“Do not move.”
Clara looked through the glass doors at the city beyond.
For the first time since Sloane tore her dress, fear changed into something sharper.
May you like
Strategy.
“No,” Clara said. “You come here. And bring your lawyer.”
Related Stories
