Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Sterling Name
Richard walked away from the lobby before answering.
That alone told Claire something was wrong.
For months, Richard had acted like he controlled every room he entered.
But now, he looked afraid.
Alexander noticed too.
“Who is calling him?””
Claire shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
But she did.
Not exactly.
She knew Richard had secrets.
She just never imagined they were this deep.
Alexander helped gather the baby clothes from the floor.
Claire watched him carefully.
“You really don’t have to do this.””
“I know.””
“Then why are you?””
Alexander picked up the tiny blue hat.
“Because someone should have.””
The simple answer made her emotional.
She turned away quickly.
“I’m sorry.””
“For what?””
“For crying.””
Alexander looked at her.
“Don’t apologize for being human.””
Those words stayed with her.
Because Richard had spent months making her feel like every emotion was a weakness.
A few minutes later, Richard returned.
His face was pale.
“We need to leave.””
Claire frowned.
“What?””
Richard ignored her.
He looked at Alexander.
“This doesn’t concern you.””
Alexander calmly replied:
“Then why do you look terrified?””
Richard stepped closer.
“You don’t know anything.””
“Maybe.””
Alexander looked at Claire.
“But I know enough.””
Richard lowered his voice.
“You have no idea what she’s involved in.””
Claire froze.
“What does that mean?””
Richard looked at her.
For one second, she saw something she had never seen before.
Fear.
Not anger.
Not annoyance.
Fear.
Then it disappeared.
“You’re pregnant and emotional. You don’t understand.””
Claire’s expression hardened.
“Stop saying that.””
Richard blinked.
“What?””
“Stop blaming everything on my pregnancy.””
The lobby became silent.
Claire took a breath.
“You made me feel crazy because I trusted my instincts.””
Richard looked away.
Alexander stepped between them.
“Claire, do you have your personal documents?””
“My passport?””
“Yes.””
“My wallet is in my bag.””
Richard immediately said:
“She doesn’t need those.””
Alexander turned slowly.
“Why wouldn’t she?””
Richard had no answer.
That was the answer.
Claire opened her suitcase.
Inside, several things were missing.
Her passport.
Her birth certificate.
Her jewelry box.
Her grandmother’s old letters.
Her face went pale.
“He took them.””
Richard’s expression changed.
“That’s ridiculous.””
“My things are gone.””
“You packed in a hurry.””
“No.””
Claire looked at him.
“You packed for me.””
Richard said nothing.
Alexander watched him carefully.
“Where are her documents?””
Richard smiled.
A fake smile.
“You’re interfering in something you don’t understand.””
Alexander reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone.
“I suggest you answer the question.””
Richard laughed nervously.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No.””
Alexander looked at him.
“I’m warning you.””
The next morning, Claire woke up in a private guest room overlooking the city.
For the first time in weeks, nobody was yelling.
Nobody was accusing her.
Nobody was telling her she was too sensitive.
But peace did not last long.
Daniel entered with a folder.
“Mr. Vale asked me to give this to you.””
Claire sat up.
“What is it?””
“Information.””
She opened the folder.
Inside were copies of old documents.
Her grandmother’s name.
Her family history.
And one shocking photograph.
A young Eleanor Sterling standing beside a teenage Alexander Vale.
Claire stared.
“What is this?””
Daniel hesitated.
“There is something you should know about your grandmother.””
“What?””
Daniel placed another document on the table.
A document with a name written at the bottom.
A name Claire had never heard before.
But Alexander had.
May you like
Because it was the name of the man who had destroyed his family.
And the same man who had secretly funded Richard Sterling’s company.
