Chapter 1 - The Last Call
Three weeks earlier, Arthur had called Clara from a small military communications room thousands of miles away.
The video connection flickered every few seconds, freezing his face in awkward expressions that made Clara laugh despite herself.
She sat in the mansion’s sunroom with a blanket across her legs and one hand resting on the curve of her belly.
“You look tired,” Arthur said.
“You say that every time.”
“You are growing an entire person.”
“And you are avoiding the question.”
“What question?”
“When are you coming home?”
Arthur smiled, but it did not reach his eyes.
“Soon.”
“That is what you said last month.”
“This time I mean it.”
Clara studied his face.
Arthur had never been good at lying to her. Even when the truth was classified, his silence usually revealed more than his words.
“You know something.”
“I know I love you.”
“That is not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer I’m allowed to give.”
Clara shook her head, smiling.
Behind her, Victoria entered the sunroom carrying a silver tray with tea.
She wore a pale cream suit and pearls even though it was only nine in the morning.
“Is that Arthur?” she asked.
Clara turned the screen slightly.
Arthur’s expression tightened.
“Hello, Mother.”
“My darling boy,” Victoria said. “You look thin.”
“I’m fine.”
“You should be home. This family needs you.”
“Clara needs me. The rest of the family can survive.”
Victoria’s smile remained in place, but her eyes cooled.
She set the tea down.
“The attorneys are still waiting for your response regarding the Harrington family trust.”
“I already responded.”
“You refused to sign.”
“Correct.”
Victoria glanced at Clara’s stomach.
“That decision affects your child.”
“It affects your access to the company,” Arthur corrected. “My child has nothing to do with it.”
Clara felt the familiar tension gathering in the room.
The Harrington family fortune had been built through hotels, commercial properties and private investment funds. After Arthur’s father died, Victoria had become acting chairwoman of the family holding company.
But Arthur’s future child would inherit a major portion of the voting shares.
Victoria had spent months pressuring Arthur to sign an amendment that would allow her to control those shares until the child turned twenty-five.
Arthur had refused.
Victoria insisted that she was protecting the family legacy.
Arthur believed she was protecting her power.
“I’m not discussing business during a personal call,” Arthur said.
“Of course not,” Victoria replied. “I only want what is best for all of you.”
Arthur looked directly at Clara.
“If my mother brings you any documents, don’t sign them.”
Victoria’s smile vanished.
“That is insulting.”
“It is a precaution.”
“Against your own mother?”
“Against anyone who pressures my pregnant wife while I’m away.”
Clara reached for the phone.
“Arthur, please. We don’t need to argue.”
His expression softened.
“You’re right.”
A voice called his name from outside the room.
Arthur looked over his shoulder.
“I have to go.”
Clara’s chest tightened.
“Already?”
“I’ll call again as soon as I can.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
He placed his fingers against the camera.
Clara mirrored the gesture, touching the glass of the screen.
“I love you,” she said.
“I love you both.”
The call ended.
Clara stared at the dark screen for a moment.
Victoria poured herself a cup of tea.
“You should not encourage him to distrust his family.”
“I didn’t.”
“You remained silent while he accused me.”
“Arthur is worried because he is far away.”
“Arthur has always been too emotional where you are concerned.”
Clara looked up.
“Is that supposed to be a criticism?”
Victoria lifted the porcelain cup.
“It is an observation.”
Clara rose carefully.
The baby shifted, and she pressed a hand to her side.
Victoria’s gaze followed the movement.
“Have you decided where the child will be raised?”
“With Arthur and me.”
“I mean which property.”
“We haven’t discussed it.”
“This mansion has belonged to the Harrington family for four generations. It would be unfortunate for the child to grow up in that little house you purchased before the wedding.”
“Our home is not little.”
“Compared with this, it is.”
“We are only staying here because the renovation isn’t finished.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“You may eventually realize that children need stability.”
Clara met her gaze.
“They also need kindness.”
For the first time, Victoria’s polite mask slipped completely.
The coldness Clara saw beneath it lasted only a second.
Then Victoria smiled again.
“Enjoy your tea before it gets cold.”
That evening, Arthur’s unit was moved without warning.
Communication stopped.
The next morning, Clara sent him three messages.
May you like
None were delivered.
By the end of the week, she had sent thirty-seven.
