Chapter 7 – The Choice
"Kevin, just say it," Clara said. Her arms were folded, her voice sharp, but her eyes were searching his face.
Kevin sat on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward, his hands clasped like he was holding himself together. "Clara, I've lied, not about everything, but about enough that you deserve the full truth."
She let out a small laugh that didn't sound happy. "That's an understatement."
"I married you because it gave me a shield," he said quickly, like ripping off a bandage. "It made Victor back off, it stopped Evelyn's schemes, and it gave me time to deal with the empire. But.." He looked up, meeting her eyes. "I also married you because I wanted you."
Clara froze. "You wanted me? Kevin, half the time you barely looked at me unless it was for business."
"That's not true." His voice cracked. "I was fighting everything around me. My father, Evelyn, the board, the threats. But when you walked in that courthouse… you were the first thing that made sense in years."
Clara shook her head. "So I was both your shield and your choice? Do you hear how twisted that sounds?"
"Yes. I hear it. I've gone over it every night since we married and I know you don't trust me. But Clara, the empire" He stopped, rubbing his forehead. "I can't hold it together alone and I don't want to, not without you."
She stared at him, her chest tight. "You think that makes it better? That you're dragging me into your mess?"
"I'm not dragging you. I'm asking you." His voice softened. "Stay please, not for the contract, not appearances, but for me."
For a long moment, the only sound was the clock ticking on the wall. Clara's mind was a storm. She wanted to yell, to walk out, to remind him of every way he had used her. But another part of her, the part that had seen the look in his eyes when he found her in that parking garage kept her rooted to the floor.
"You're unbelievable," she finally whispered. "You make me risk my life, you lie, and then you stand there asking me to stay like it's the simplest thing in the world."
Kevin didn't move. "Because for me, it is. You're it, Clara."
***
The next day, everything came crashing down at once.
Kevin walked into the Blackwell boardroom with papers in his hand. Clara was there, standing behind him. The directors were restless, whispering, waiting for drama. Victor sat at the head of the table, smug as ever. Evelyn perched at his side like she owned the place.
Kevin dropped the will on the table. "This," he said firmly, "is my grandfather's original will. It names me the rightful heir and not my father. Not Evelyn. Me."
The room went dead silent.
Victor's face twisted. "That's forged."
Kevin shook his head. "It's verified by our lawyers. You knew it existed, and you hid it. But the empire is mine now, not yours."
A few directors actually clapped. Others just gawked. Evelyn's mouth dropped open, but she tried to recover fast. "This changes nothing. I'm carrying your child, Kevin. That makes me."
"You're not," Kevin cut in sharply. "We both know you faked that pregnancy. I've already had the doctors confirm it."
Gasps rippled through the room. Evelyn's face drained of color.
"You can't prove…" she started.
"I can and I will, if you push me."
Victor slammed his fist on the table. "You think you can just throw me out? I built this empire!"
Kevin's jaw tightened. "You destroyed it and now you're retired. Effective immediately."
The board murmured in shock. A few even nodded, relieved.
Victor glared at his son, his chest heaving. "You'll regret this. You think she'll save you?" He jerked his chin at Clara. "She'll be your downfall."
Kevin's hand slid to Clara's, steady and firm. "She's the only reason I'll survive this."
******
That night, back in the penthouse, Clara sat across from him, the city lights glowing through the windows. She felt like she'd been dragged through a war zone.
"You didn't even blink when you told him," she said quietly.
Kevin exhaled. "If I blink, he wins."
"You made enemies today."
"I had them already. Now they're just out in the open."
Clara chewed her lip. "And you want me in the middle of all of this?"
"I want you beside me. Not because I need a shield anymore, but because I can't do this life without you. Clara, I love you. I'm asking you to choose me, not the money or the empire. Me."
Clara's throat closed up. She thought of every moment since this started, the courthouse, the fights, the danger, the lies. And then she thought of his arms pulling her out of that garage, the way he looked at her in the boardroom, the rawness in his voice now.
Slowly, she nodded. "Then I choose you, not the empire. You."
Kevin closed his eyes for a second, like the words lifted a weight he'd been carrying forever. Then he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "That's all I needed."
For the first time in weeks, Clara let herself believe maybe, just maybe, there was peace ahead.
But just as the night quieted, Kevin's phone buzzed. A message from security. "Victor left the office with a sealed envelope. It was found in his study, addressed 'For Kevin Only.'"
Kevin looked at Clara, his jaw stiff.
"What does it mean?" she asked.
He held the envelope in his hand, heavy with secrets.
"It means," he said slowly, "this isn't over."