The dim light in the luxury recovery suite felt heavy and cold. Clara sat frozen in her soft velvet armchair, her thin hands clutching her head as a wave of terrible, painful memories rushed back into her mind.

On the big television screen mounted on the wall, the live broadcast was still playing. She watched Julian holding Evelyn tightly against his broad chest, kissing her with so much pure love and protection in front of the whole world.

Clara’s heart did not burn with petty jealousy anymore. Instead, a sharp, cold realization washed over her whole body. Julian had never belonged to her. He had never been her fiancé. He...