Failed Escape

Claire POV

After Vivian came back, Aaron didn't call once.

And I? I refused to throw myself at him again, to beg for a glance, to lose my dignity for the sake of being near him.

Instead, I wrapped myself in the comfort of my freedom. Bella and I ate, drank, and laughed through our days, letting the world blur around us.

That afternoon, as we lingered over red wine, sampling black truffles and caviar, Bella's phone buzzed. A news alert.

"WTF?!" she muttered, thrusting the screen toward me.

Vivian's hand appeared, adorned with a pink diamond so large it seemed absurd.

And, of course, the photos were everywhere.

"A five-million-dollar ring?! Aaron actually bought her something that expensive at an auction? That should have been yours!" Bella fumed.

I gave a faint smile. "If she wants it... let her."

Bella fumed. "And the media... they're already asking if she's about to marry Aaron. And she's doing that... coy act, neither confirming nor denying. She's shameless!"

Bella was so angry she almost threw her phone.

I scooped a spoonful of ice cream, feeding it to her.

"Don't get worked up. It's not worth it. I'm fine the way I am."

We rose to leave, letting the buzz of the restaurant fade behind us, only to find ourselves face to face with Aaron and Vivian.

Vivian's hand curled through Aaron's arm, body pressed close.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. She covered her mouth, a faint panic creeping into her gaze.

"Aaron..." Her voice trembled, and in it, I could hear the faintest edge of accusation.

"She's here again... stirring things up."

Aaron's gaze, warm just moments ago, sharpened.

He stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of Vivian.

"Claire, I thought we agreed, no more of these chance encounters."

I rubbed my full stomach and smiled.

"Bella and I just had dinner. How is that a chance encounter?"

"Aaron, I finished my meal before you even arrived. Don't get too full of yourself," I added.

He hesitated, a flicker of unease passing over his features, before he looked at Vivian.

"Let's go inside. Forget about her."

Vivian pursed her lips in displeasure and reached out to stop me.

"Don't go!"

She deliberately lifted a hand to flick her hair, letting that enormous pink diamond catch the light.

God, that stone was obscene, its fire practically stabbing my eyes.

She leaned slightly toward Aaron, her voice low, almost conspiratorial.

"The paparazzi are all camped at the front. If they see me and Claire walking in one after the other, they'll say I'm stealing her man."

Then she turned to me, forcing an apologetic smile.

"Claire... maybe you should leave through the back door?"

I paused, then let out a short, incredulous laugh.

"Vivian...you really expect me to believe those paparazzi just happen to be here?"

Her face flickered, a hint of unease betraying her carefully constructed act, then she returned to her fragile, trembling persona.

"Claire... how can you say that? I may be little-known, but I'm still a movie star. It's normal for the paparazzi to follow me."

Pathetic.

All the fortune Aaron lavished on her couldn't change the fact that she was still a third-tier actress.

I stared at the pink diamond—five million dollars at auction—and couldn't help feeling the irony.

The loved ones always act fearless.

She knew no matter what she said, Aaron would believe her.

That debt he felt for her father's sacrifice would always put Vivian first.

And I... I was just an expendable outsider.

I let out a quiet scoff and tugged Bella toward the back entrance.

"All that drama, and I just want a simple meal in peace."

Vivian's muffled cries followed behind us.

Seconds later, Aaron's men stepped in, blocking our path.

"Claire," Aaron stepped in front of me, his gaze sharp, almost cutting. "Apologize to Vivian."

I lifted my chin just a fraction, meeting his eyes.

Vivian clang to him, quiet sobs trembling against his chest.

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to be sorry for."

"I got here first, and you still insist I'm claiming you came after me on purpose."

"You told me to use the back entrance—I did exactly that."

"What more could I possibly apologize for?"

Aaron's expression stiffened, his voice low and commanding.

"Claire, stop making a scene. When I tell you to do something... you do it."

I exhaled, a soft, resigned breath, letting my gaze drift over him without breaking my composure.

"Fine. Vivian... I'm sorry for everything."

Before either of them could react, I grabbed Bella's hand and slipped through the back entrance, leaving them behind.

Bella was fuming.

"Why did you let her have it? Look at that smug little face! You should have slapped her."

I tilted my head toward the drifting clouds above, a faint, easy smile curling my lips.

"Because... I don't care anymore."

Not long after, Aaron's voice messages pinged my phone:

【Claire, stop sulking.】

【The diamond ring was meant for you, but if Vivian likes it... let her have it.】

【Next time, I'll get you something better.】

I let out a quiet scoff and glanced at my watch.

Fifteen days.

Fifteen days until I'm free.