Doubt in the Dark
The mansion felt colder that night.
Clara stood by the window of her room, arms wrapped around herself as the wind howled outside. She hadn't seen Ethan since morning — he'd locked himself in his study after their argument.
Isabella's words still echoed in her mind. "Ethan only married you because he needed someone to blame. You were convenient."
Clara had tried to shake it off, but every time she remembered his distant gaze, it sank deeper.
A soft knock came at her door. She turned to see Damien standing there, hands in his pockets.
"You look like you haven't slept," he said quietly.
"Neither have you," she replied.
He smiled faintly. "Touché."
Clara forced a breath. "Damien… do you think Ethan still believes Isabella?"
Damien hesitated. "Ethan's not a fool, Clara. But when it comes to the people he loves, he's blinded by guilt."
"Guilt?"
"He thinks everything that's gone wrong — Mia's disappearance, Marcus's betrayal, Eleanor's kidnapping — all tie back to him somehow. Isabella knows how to use that."
Clara turned away, her eyes glistening. "Then she's winning."
"Not for long," Damien said softly. "Because you're stronger than she thinks."
But as he left, Clara whispered into the quiet room, "Then why does it still hurt so much?"
Down the hall, Ethan stood outside her door, hearing every word. His hand lingered on the knob — but he couldn't bring himself to go in. The storm outside was nothing compared to the one inside him.