The Heir's Secret Marriage
Chapter 4
"Smile, Clara, just smile," Kevin muttered as they stepped into the glittering hall.
Clara adjusted the strap of her gown nervously. "Easy for you to say. Everyone here already knows you. They just see me as.."
"My wife," Kevin cut in firmly, tightening his grip on her hand.
But the whispers had already started. Clara caught pieces as they walked past.
"Who is she?"
"Not Evelyn, that's for sure."
"She looks... ordinary."
Clara's stomach twisted. She kept her chin high, trying not to show how much it stung.
They hadn't even reached their table when Evelyn appeared. She wore a perfect dress, flawless hair, sharp smile. She slid right in front of them as if she owned the floor.
"Kevin," she purred, leaning close. "You didn't tell me you'd be here."
Clara froze. Evelyn's hand lingered on Kevin's arm far too long.
Kevin's jaw tightened. "Evelyn. Clara and I are just arriving."
Evelyn's eyes flicked to Clara, scanning her from head to toe like she was cheap fabric. "Clara," she said sweetly, "lovely to see you again. I hope you're adjusting... well."
Clara forced a smile. "I'm fine, thank you."
"Oh good," Evelyn said, then looped her arm through Kevin's like she belonged there. "Kevin, the press is asking for photos. Come, they're waiting."
Clara's heart dropped. Evelyn dragged him a step forward before Kevin pulled his arm free. His voice was sharp. "I'll go with my wife, not you."
For a split second, Evelyn's smile faltered. But she recovered quickly, laughing like it was a joke. "Of course. Just don't forget who the real audience came to see."
As she walked away, heads turned and cameras followed her like she was royalty. Clara stood there, feeling like nothing.
Kevin turned to her. "Ignore her. She's trying to provoke you."
Clara's voice was small. "She doesn't even have to try. Everyone in this room looks at her like she's the one who belongs next to you, not me."
Kevin reached for her hand again. "Clara, you are my wife. That's all that matters."
But as flashes popped around Evelyn across the room, Clara wasn't sure she believed him.
******
"Clara, wait up," Kevin called, jogging after her as she stormed down the corridor after the event.
She spun around, eyes blazing. "Don't touch me."
"I wasn't going to.."
"Really? Because you stood there while Evelyn had her hands all over you. Do you know what it looked like?"
Kevin sighed. "You think I wanted her there? She just shows up, she thrives on this."
"And you let her!" Clara shot back. "You just stand there and let her humiliate me. Do you know how small I felt tonight?"
Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" She laughed bitterly. "By ignoring me in front of everyone? By letting her cling to you like I don't exist?"
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't understand what's at stake."
"Then explain it!" she snapped. "Why can't you ever tell me the truth?"
"Because it's complicated." Kelvin said.
"That's not an answer, Kevin." clara shot back.
His jaw clenched. "I'm handling it. You need to trust me."
Clara's chest heaved. "Trust? You've been lying since the beginning. First, it was little things. Now I hear you on secret calls about some will, and tonight Evelyn acts like she's still yours and you just stand there."
Kevin's eyes flickered, like he wanted to say something but held back. "Clara, please. This is bigger than you know."
She folded her arms tightly. "Then let me in, stop treating me like some pawn in your game."
His voice hardened. "You're not a pawn."
"Then prove it," she shot back, holding his gaze.
The silence stretched. Kevin finally said, "I can't, not yet."
Clara's heart sank. "Then maybe you're not who I thought you were."
She pushed past him and walked away, leaving him standing in the hall, fists clenched, watching her go.
******
Clara sat on her bed, staring at her phone. It buzzed again, it was an unknown number. She hesitated, then answered.
"Hello?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone, just heavy breathing on the other end.
Her hand tightened around the phone. "Who is this?"
Click. The call ended.
Her stomach twisted. She tossed the phone on the nightstand and whispered, "What is happening to me?"
Before she could gather her thoughts, the TV in the living room blasted with breaking news. Clara grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
A reporter's voice rang out: "We're live at the Raymond Hotel where Evelyn Stone has called a surprise press conference."
Clara froze.
The camera zoomed in on Evelyn, flawless as ever, standing behind a podium with flashing cameras all around.
"Good evening," Evelyn said sweetly, adjusting the microphone. "I know there has been much speculation about my relationship with Kevin Raymond."
Clara's chest tightened.
Evelyn smiled, resting a hand on her stomach. "Well, tonight I want to share the truth. Kevin and I... we are expecting a child."
The room erupted, reporters shouting, cameras firing nonstop.
Clara's knees buckled, and she sank onto the couch, phone slipping from her hand. "No... no, that can't be true."
The news anchor cut back in: "You heard it here first, Evelyn Stone, claiming she's pregnant with Kevin Raymond's baby. This announcement is expected to shake both the Raymond empire and Kevin's current relationship."
Clara covered her mouth, trembling. The phone buzzed again on the table. Same unknown number.
This time, when she picked up, a low voice finally spoke:
"You don't belong with him, Clara. Leave... before it's too late."
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