CHAPTER 2 — The Groom's Choice
Andrew finally stepped toward Clara.
"I'm sorry."
His voice trembled.
"I didn't know."
Clara looked at him quietly.
"No."
"You didn't want to know."
The words hit harder than any accusation.
She reminded him of every moment he had chosen silence.
When his mother mocked her.
When she questioned Clara's family.
When she treated Clara like a servant instead of a future daughter-in-law.
Andrew lowered his head.
He had mistaken peace for loyalty.
But Clara wasn't finished.
She reached into her bouquet.
Inside was another envelope.
"I prepared this yesterday."
She handed it to him.
It was a prenuptial agreement.
Unsigned.
Andrew looked confused.
"I never cared about your money."
Clara nodded.
"I know."
"That's why I wanted you to sign after the ceremony."
Andrew looked at the final page.
Instead of protecting Clara's fortune...
The agreement guaranteed that if they divorced, Andrew would receive enough money to comfortably rebuild his life.
He stared at her.
"You trusted me that much?"
"I loved you that much."
Tears filled Andrew's eyes.
For the first time that day.
Not because she was wealthy.
Because he finally understood what he had thrown away.
Patricia suddenly stepped forward.
"I'm your mother!"
"You can't leave this family because of one mistake!"
Andrew slowly turned.
"No."
"It wasn't one mistake."
"It was years of cruelty."
He removed his wedding ring.
Then gently placed it beside the ruined lace on the marble floor.
"I'm done letting silence hurt the people I love."
Without another word, Clara walked toward the exit.
May you like
Andrew did not follow.
He knew some doors closed forever.
