Chapter 12 - Scars and Awakening
Morning light filtered through the heavy velvet curtains of the garden suite at the Vance estate. Claire opened her eyes slowly, the clean scent of lavender and fresh linen replacing the copper and spilled wine of the night before. Her lip was stitched neatly, and clean bandages covered the cuts on her cheek and arms.
Beside the bed, sitting in a high-backed leather armchair, Arthur Vance sat quietly reading a morning brief. He was still wearing his dark suit, his cane resting against his knee. He had not slept.
""Daddy,"" Claire murmured, her voice hoarse.
Arthur instantly set the papers down and leaned forward, taking her small, bruised hand into his broad, calloused palms. ""Good morning, my girl. How do you feel?""
Claire swallowed hard, looking at the familiar ceiling she hadn't seen in over three years. ""I feel... like I’m waking up from a long nightmare.""
""The nightmare is over,"" Arthur said gently, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. ""The divorce papers have been served to Julian's legal council. His father has completely conceded. By the end of this week, you will be legally, financially, and permanently free of him.""
Claire looked down at the bandages on her wrist, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. ""I stayed so long because I thought it was my fault. He always told me that if I were smarter, if I behaved better, he wouldn't get angry. I wanted to make the marriage work so you wouldn't be disappointed in me.""
Arthur’s jaw tightened, his heart breaking at her words. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently. ""Listen to me, Claire. You have never disappointed me. Not once in your life. The fault lies with a monster who preyed on your kindness, and with a father who was too blind to see the danger. But that ends now. No one will ever make you feel small again.""
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A soft knock at the door interrupted them. Marcus stepped into the room, his expression grave.
""Arthur,"" Marcus said quietly. ""We have an urgent situation. Julian Sterling has disappeared from his penthouse. He did not show up at his lawyer's office to sign the settlement.""
