Chapter 6 - The Wedding That Became a Confession
The ballroom was filled the following morning.
But there was no wedding.
Instead, Ethan stood before reporters.
Eleanor stood beside him.
Claire stood several feet away.
Detective Bennett had confirmed enough evidence to publicly clear Eleanor.
Ethan approached the microphone.
“Twelve days ago, my mother was accused of pushing my fiancée down a staircase.”
Cameras flashed.
“She didn't.”
The room erupted.
Ethan continued.
“The fall was staged.”
Claire stepped forward.
“I staged it.”
Every reporter began shouting.
Claire raised her voice.
“Eleanor Whitmore never touched me.”
“Why did you accuse her?”
“Because I wanted Ethan to distrust her.”
“Were you trying to steal his fortune?”
Claire paused.
“I entered his life under false pretenses.”
Ethan watched her.
“But I was also manipulated by a man seeking revenge against the Whitmore family.”
A reporter shouted:
“Are you saying you're innocent?”
“No.”
That silenced the room.
Claire continued.
“I am responsible for what I did.”
Eleanor looked at her differently.
Claire didn't ask for sympathy.
She didn't hide behind Victor.
She simply told the truth.
Afterward, Claire found Eleanor alone near the staircase.
The same staircase where everything had begun.
“I owe you an apology.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You owe me several.”
Claire almost smiled.
“Probably.”
“Why confess publicly?”
“Because I humiliated you publicly.”
Eleanor considered that.
“Fair.”
Claire turned to leave.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
Eleanor approached.
“I don't forgive you.”
“I understand.”
“But I believe people can become better than their worst decision.”
Claire's eyes watered.
“Why would you give me that?”
“Because someone once gave it to me.”
Claire nodded.
Then Ethan appeared.
His mother quietly left them alone.
Claire looked at him.
“I'll disappear.”
“No.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“Don't disappear.”
“Ethan, I destroyed your trust.”
“Yes.”
“I lied.”
“Yes.”
“I framed your mother.”
“Yes.”
Claire frowned.
“Are you trying to make me feel better?”
“No.”
For the first time in days, Ethan almost smiled.
“I'm establishing that we agree on the facts.”
Claire laughed despite herself.
Then her expression became serious.
“What happens now?”
“There is no wedding.”
“I know.”
“No engagement.”
“I know.”
“No pretending everything is fine.”
“I know.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“But maybe someday there's coffee.”
Claire stared at him.
“Coffee?”
“Coffee.”
“As friends?”
“Let's survive the coffee first.”
Claire smiled.
A real smile this time.
“No tricks?”
“No tricks.”
“No secret plans?”
“No secret plans.”
“No staircases?”
Ethan glanced behind her.
May you like
“Definitely no staircases.”
For the first time since the gala, they both laughed.
