"Kevin, why are we here?" Clara's voice was low, almost lost in the noise of laughter and clinking glasses as they stepped into the grand ballroom of the hotel.
Kevin straightened his tie, his jaw tense. "Because I need people to see us together. That way my father can't pretend you don't exist."
Clara's eyes darted over the room, it had tall chandeliers, glittering gowns, people moving like they owned the world. She held onto her clutch with both hands, as if it could protect her. "I don't belong here."
"You belong with me," Kevin replied without hesitation. He glanced down at her. "That's all that matters."
Clara gave a shaky laugh. "That's easy for you to say. Everyone here knows who you are. They don't even know I exist."
"They'll know by the end of tonight." His voice left no room for doubt. He slid his hand around her waist and guided her forward.
"Kevin Raymond!" an older man with silver hair called, striding toward them with a wide smile. "And who is this?"
Kevin didn't pause. "My wife, her name's clara."
The man stopped, blinking. "Wife? Married already? My goodness. Congratulations!" His tone was warm, but his eyes flicked over Clara in a quick scan, sharp and dismissive, like he was checking a price tag. "She's lovely."
Clara forced a polite smile even though her stomach tightened.
The man gave a short nod, already distracted. "Well, I must greet the others, enjoy your evening." He slipped away into the crowd without another glance.
Clara tightened her grip on Kevin's arm the moment the man was gone. "He looked at me like… like I was some random thing you bought off a shelf."
Kevin squeezed her hand lightly under the table. "Ignore it. They'll adjust."
Clara nodded slowly, but doubt lingered in her chest.
They moved deeper into the room. Clara tried not to notice the whispers, but they were everywhere.
"She's not even from our circle."
"Where did he find her?"
"She doesn't look like a Raymond wife."
Clara's cheeks burned. She lowered her head, staring at the marble floor.
Kevin stopped walking. His eyes locked on a pair of women whispering too loudly. "Do you have something to say to us?" he asked, his voice cold.
The women jumped, their smiles suddenly fake. "Oh, nothing, Kevin. Nothing at all." They turned away quickly.
Kevin muttered, "Pathetic."
But Clara couldn't shake the sting, she leaned closer to him. "See? They'll never accept me."
"Let them choke on it," Kevin replied. "I didn't marry them."
The music softened. A ripple of attention moved across the room. Clara followed the line of gazes until she saw her.
Evelyn Raymond.
She glided in, silver gown shining under the lights, her smile too sweet to be real. Her eyes found them almost instantly.
"Kevin." Her voice was smooth, calm, like silk covering steel.
Kevin's shoulders stiffened. "Evelyn."
Her gaze slid over to Clara. "And this must be the new wife." She let the word hang, sharp as a knife.
Clara managed a polite smile. "Yes, I'm Clara."
Evelyn's lips curved, but her eyes didn't soften. "How charming. Kevin does enjoy surprises."
Kevin's arm pressed tighter around Clara's waist. "We don't owe you explanations."
Evelyn leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only Clara could hear. "Kevin might not, but you should know something."
Clara's chest tightened. "What?"
Evelyn's smile never faltered. "This world isn't kind to outsiders. It chews them up, so be careful, Clara."
Clara froze. "Is that a threat?"
Evelyn tilted her head, as if amused. " No my dear, it's a friendly warning." She gave Kevin one last long look. "Enjoy your evening." Then she walked away, her perfume trailing behind her.
Clara exhaled shakily. "She hates me."
Kevin's jaw was set. "Let her, she's irrelevant."
"She doesn't feel irrelevant," Clara whispered. "Everyone listens to her."
Kevin turned, cupping Clara's cheek for a second. "I listen to you and that's what matters."
Later, Kevin guided Clara to their table near the stage. Mr. Raymond sat at the center, surrounded by important men in tuxedos.
"Father," Kevin said firmly. "This is Clara."
Mr. Raymond didn't look up. He swirled his wine slowly, like Kevin hadn't spoken.
Kevin's voice sharpened. "Father. This is Clara. My wife."
Finally, Mr. Raymond looked up straight at Kevin. "We'll talk later." His eyes shifted to the man beside him. He resumed his conversation as if Clara were invisible.
Clara's heart sank. She sat stiffly, her face hot. He didn't even spare her a glance, not even a single word.
Kevin slid his hand under the table and squeezed hers. "Don't take it personally."
"How can I not?" she whispered.
"Because he's blind, but I'm not."
She nodded faintly, but the ache in her chest stayed.
Hours dragged. Clara smiled when needed, nodded when spoken to, but her insides were twisting. Evelyn's warning, mr raymond's silence and the whispers.
When Kevin got pulled away by an investor, Clara excused herself. She pushed open the restroom door and leaned on the sink, breathing hard.
Her reflection stared back, pale and uncertain. "What am I doing here?" she whispered. "They don't want me here. Maybe I shouldn't be here."
Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out with shaky hands.
it was a new message from an unknown number. She frowned and tapped it.
Her breath caught. The screen filled with files. PDF scans and old documents.
The title made her chest go cold.
Bankruptcy Filing – Thomas Jameson. That was her father.
Her fingers trembled as she scrolled. Court documents, debt lists, foreclosure notices. Everything her family had suffered.
Another message appeared. It was an unknown Number, Leave Kevin, or your family's shame becomes tomorrow's headline.
Clara's stomach dropped. She looked around the empty restroom, panic crawling up her throat.
"Who… who sent this?" she whispered.
Her phone buzzed again. Still the same number. You have one chance, don't test me.
Her knees almost gave out. She gripped the sink, the phone glowing in her hand, her pulse racing so hard she thought she might faint.
Her secret, her father's shame. Everything she had tried to bury… now in someone else's hands.
And they wanted her gone.