Chapter 23
“Mr. Lloyd, right now, the company should be your priority. You need to focus on what to do next.”
“I need to go home.” Finley gripped the table for balance, barely steadying himself. “Take me to the family estate.”
After his father’s death, Finley’s mother, Paulina, had taken over most family matters. When Finley stumbled through the front door, reeking of alcohol, Paulina’s face darkened
instantly.
“What the hell is this?” she snapped. “Why are you drunk? And where’s Claire? Why isn’t she with you?”
She was sorting through a pile of supplements she’d bought for Claire, planning to take
them over tomorrow. Despite her past dislike of Claire, the pregnancy had changed everything.
“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Paulina frowned. “What is it? This better not be about Claire’s baby. That child is the future of this family! If anything happened, I swear—” Her voice sharpened. “I’d never forgive her, and you’d better divorce her. I knew I shouldn’t have let you marry her with her health issues and trouble conceiving.”
She kept ranting, completely missing the way Finley’s face twisted.
Then, after a long, suffocating silence, he finally spoke.
“Claire had a miscarriage. The baby’s gone.”
“What?!” Paulina stared at him in disbelief. “You’re lying. The baby can’t just be gone like that. Did Claire do this on purpose? So I wouldn’t have a grandchild?”
“No.” Finley’s throat tightened. “I was the one who pushed her down the stairs. It’s my
1/3
Chaptor 23
fault she lost the baby.”
Paulina’s legs buckled, and she sank onto the couch.
+15 Bonus
“You… do you even hear yourself? She was carrying your child, and you pushed her? Even if you were fighting, how could you—”
“I did it for
Renee,” Finley cut in, his voice thick with regret. “I thought Claire was lying when she called me after the fall. I ignored her. That’s why she lost the baby.”
Paulina’s breathing turned ragged as Finley’s words sank in.
“Are you out of your mind? What have you done? The moment Renee came back, I knew she’d bring disaster. I overlooked a lot, but this? You killed your own child for her?”
“Mom, the company’s crumbling because of Renee. I can’t hold on anymore.” His voice cracked. “I miss Claire. I don’t care about the company—I just want to find her.”
Paulina’s eyes burned red as she glared at him. “You’re just going to walk away? Leave the company on the brink of collapse?” Her voice shook with fury. “I warned you! I told you to stay away from Renee, but you didn’t listen! Now look at you–no child, no wife, and a company going under. How did I raise such a fool?”
“Mom, yell at me all you want. I don’t care anymore. I’m done. You can save the company
-I’m leaving to find Claire.”
And before Paulina could even respond, he was gone.
That very night, he flew to the Maldives.
But when he got there, Claire was already gone.
Desperate, he scoured every lead until he tracked her down–on another island.
Without hesitation, he followed.
***
2/3
+15 Bonus
The ocean shimmered under the sun, a gentle breeze rolling through the air. Claire lounged by the pool, cocktail in hand, completely at peace.
Then, suddenly-
A man emerged from the water.
Broad shoulders. Chiseled eight–pack. A perfect V–line leading down into his swim trunks. Every woman nearby turned to stare.
D‘
Comments
Support
3/3
