Laura, sensing that Claire needed sometime to herself, led her to the bathroom. Without hesitation, Claire got in and closed the door, both not speaking a word to each other.
Claire stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes were wet with unshed tears, her emotions were getting the better of her and before she knew it, the tears fell—a single drop, then they burst out like a dam.
How long had it been since someone defended and stood by her, yes, she had her moms Lana and Luna who were always there for her and Laura too. But what about her dad who she once loved and adored, when she needed him to believe her, he didn't, instead he went as far as disgracing and disowning for what—for something she was framed for.
Her mind wandered back to five years ago, when her father's mistress had accused her of trying to seduce her step brother, worse was she had proof—because she was drugged and conspired against.
"I didn't do anything dad, please believe me I'm innocent" Aire screamed in tears after watching the video where she was kissing her step brother.
She was humiliated that this was shown at a party her family was hosting and worse, she couldn't remember much.
"please dad, this woman is trying to frame me" she said pointing to Jamille, and all her had received wad a slap from her dad.
"You shameless girl, was this how I raised you, to go around whoring and kissing men, don't try to accuse her when she's done nothing to you" her father had yelled back.
"Nothing!!! She's trying to ruin your marriage dad, and you're letting her, she's the whore not m.."
She didn't complete her sentence when her father slapped her again.
"Watch your mouth, tell me who was this other guy you had been caught kissing" her father demanded and Aire stared at the picture, where she was in the arms of another guy—the same guy who had saved her—her big bro.
It was dark, so no one could see their faces "He was the one who saved me from Conner, Conner was the one who tried to force himself on me, I kissed both of them because I was drunk and feeling weird, I didn't know what I was doing" Aire said sobbing.
"Please believe me" she whispered in tears.
"There was no need to kiss someone who saved you Aire, you have disgraced me today"
"But I didn't do anything" Aire yelled.
"I've had enough, a person like you can't be the heiress of my company or be called as my daughter, you brought reproach on the family's name by what you did today and for that you are no longer my daughter" Mr Ming announced, earning gasps from the crowd, some who looked at the girl in pity, while others who didn't like her sneered.
Frozen in shock, Aire could still remember the taunting looks on the faces of the guests, how the whispered, scorning her.
That same night, her dad had kicked her and her mom out of the house despite her mother's pleas.
Getting back to the present, Claire stayed in the bathroom, crying, she had come to believe that men were never faithful, they'll leave you in a heartbeat and once they do, nothing you say matters to them. She had seen it—experienced it.
But what Leon did today really touched her, she was also at fault, she had fought with the girl but he didn't care, he had defended her, even praising her in front of everyone, he didn't doubt or question her.
She had come to rely on herself, building her walls her because men weren't to be trusted or relied on and she could feel those walls crumbling, little by little.
Laura who heard Claire crying knew exactly what was going on in her mind so she let her be. She knew that right now Claire needed time to herself.
After a few minutes Claire came put and both headed outside, where they saw Leon's car parked on the other side of the road. Not wanting to draw much attention, they hurried to get in and soon the car left the agency.
The car was silent, no one saying a word, Claire tried to hide her face from Leon, facing the window while her mind was deep in thought. After dropping Laura, Leon drove them to his apartment.
Claire stepped out of the car, unsure why they were at Leon's apartment, but too drained to question it. She followed him up the stairs in silence, her body still aching from the confrontation, her heart even more so.
As soon as they entered, Leon shut the door behind them—but before she could take another step, he grabbed her wrist and gently, yet firmly, pulled her toward him. The next moment, her back hit the wall, her breath catching.
His hands were on her shoulders now, tightening slightly as he looked down at her. "Why did you flinch, Claire?" he asked, voice low, sharp. "When I touched you… why did you pull away? Do I disgust you that much? Or are you just trying to avoid me?"
Claire stared at him, wide-eyed, her throat tightening. She hadn't expected that—hadn't expected the hurt simmering beneath his anger.
"I'm sorry…" she mumbled, voice barely a whisper as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "I didn't mean to." Her emotions were a mess right now.
The moment her tears fell, Leon's features softened. The frustration in his eyes faded into something gentler—something aching. "I'm sorry," he said, this time quieter. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Claire shook her head quickly, eyes still wet. "No… it's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."
Without saying a word, Leon gently took her hand and led her to the couch. She sat down, still dazed, while he disappeared briefly, returning moments later with a first aid kit. Sitting beside her, he opened it, pulled out antiseptic and cotton, and began tending to the cut on her cheek with such care it made her chest ache.
She couldn't stop looking at him.
Why is he like this?
Her voice came out trembling, fragile. "Why are you so nice to me?"
Leon paused, his fingers still brushing against her skin.
Claire continued, voice cracking with every word. "Our marriage wasn't planned. We didn't know each other. You didn't even like me at first. So… why are you helping me? Why are you being so nice now? Why do you care if I ignore you in public?"
Tears welled in her eyes again. "It's not like it was an arranged marriage… We're just… strangers…"
Leon said nothing.
Instead, for the first time, he reached up—cupped her tear-stained cheek—and kissed her.
Softly.
Gently.
Right on the lips.
It silenced her completely.
Her eyes widened, heart skipping, then racing, then spinning wildly as his lips lingered for a breath too long before he pulled away, his forehead resting against hers.
"I care, Claire," he whispered, voice like a quiet storm, "because you're my wife. Stranger or not… you matter to me."
This time, his words struck deeper—stripped of hesitation, layered with truth.
"Because I love you."
Claire's breath hitched.
At the confirmation of those three words, her body trembled, and her emotions—already on the edge—finally burst like a dam. The tears fell again, harder this time, raw and unstoppable. Her lips quivered as her hands reached for him, and when Leon pulled her into his arms, she clung to him like she would fall apart without him.
She couldn't keep it in anymore.
She had tried.
Tried to be strong. Tried to bury the feelings growing louder inside her heart. She had told herself it was just the kindness, the comfort, the way he stood by her when no one else did—but it was more. So much more.
He had always been there, quietly catching her when she stumbled, shielding her when she felt most vulnerable. When the world had turned its back, Leon hadn't. He defended her. Believed in her. Saw her.
And now…
She couldn't pretend anymore.
Yes, she loved him. She loved him dearly.
Even as the guilt still twisted deep in her chest—of the lies she couldn't confess yet, of the reason she was here—she let her emotions take over, just this once. Let herself fall.
Even if tomorrow everything shattered…
Tonight, she would let go. Let herself feel.
Let herself be loved.
And love him back.
Leon held her close, her sobs quieting into soft hiccups against his chest. He slowly tilted her chin upward, his thumb gently brushing against her jaw, urging her to meet his gaze.
Claire's tear-stained face tilted toward him, her eyes shimmering with raw vulnerability. Her cheeks were wet with tears, her lashes clumped from crying, but to Leon, she had never looked more beautiful.
Leon didn't rush. Without saying a word, He leaned in slowly, pressing a soft kiss to one eyelid, then the other—tasting the salt of her tears as he did. His warm lips moved gently, reverently, as though trying to kiss away every ache she carried inside.
Claire looked up at him, eyes glassy, lips trembling—and Leon's gaze dropped to her mouth. Her lips, still damp from crying, were slightly parted, and in that second, the air between them changed. It crackled—heavy with something they could no longer suppress.
Then he bent his head and kissed her.
It was slow and tender at first—gentle, searching—but as her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt, as her lips moved with his, the kiss deepened. It grew urgent, raw, honest, Fueled by the emotions they could no longer bottle up. Regret. Longing. Love. It all bled into that kiss, their lips moving in perfect sync, pouring out everything they couldn't say.
His hand slid to the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair as he pulled her to him. His other hand found her waist, grounding her, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
Claire melted into him. For the first time in so long, she didn't feel like she had to hide. She let go. She let herself feel it all—and she kissed him back with all the warmth she'd been too scared to show.
When they finally pulled away, breathless and dazed, neither spoke. There was no need for words. Claire simply rested her head against his chest, lips still tingling from the kiss, and a soft smile touched her face.
She liked it.
She liked the way he held her, the way he touched her like she was fragile but precious, the way they hadn't needed words at all.
She didn't fight it anymore. Not tonight.
With her eyes growing heavy and her heart finally still, she slowly drifted off to sleep in his arms.
Leon stared at her, brushing her hair back as he held her close on the couch. His fingers gently caressed her scalp, soothing her, grounding her.
But behind his calm eyes, questions stirred.
He looked at her and whispered so quietly, "Why are you not telling me yet, Claire…?"
He knew the lies, the truth she buried.
And still, she kept it from him.
He glanced down at her bruised wrist, the faint scar she always tried to hide, and the heaviness settled in his chest.
Leon kissed her forehead tenderly and held her just a little tighter.
"All the things I've found out… how long are you going to carry it alone?" he whispered again, brushing a final kiss on her forehead. "How long until you tell me the truth?"