Chapter 3 CRACKS IN THE MASK

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‎"Clara, stop walking so fast," Kevin said, his long strides catching up with her in the hallway.

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‎"I'm fine," she muttered, eyes fixed ahead, clutching her bag tighter.

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‎"You've been saying that for days." He blocked the door before she could leave. "You don't talk at dinner. You don't even look at me. What's going on?"

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‎Clara avoided his gaze. "Nothing. I just don't feel like talking."

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‎Kevin studied her for a moment. His jaw tightened. "You're lying."

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‎"I'm not." She tried to move past him, but he didn't budge.

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‎"Clara," he said firmly. "If something's wrong, tell me. Don't shut me out."

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‎Her chest tightened. She thought about the text, the threat about her father's bankruptcy files. She couldn't bring herself to say it. "It's nothing."

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‎Kevin frowned. "You think I can't see it? You've been distracted all week. And every time your phone buzzes, you look like someone stabbed you."

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‎She flinched. "Don't exaggerate."

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‎"I'm not exaggerating," he said. "I know when you're scared. What happened?"

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‎Clara pressed her lips together. "It's personal."

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‎"I'm your husband," Kevin said, his tone sharper now. "Personal doesn't exist between us anymore."

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‎"That's exactly the problem," Clara snapped. "You think you can control every part of my life now just because of this marriage, but you can't."

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‎Kevin's expression hardened. "I'm not trying to control you. I'm trying to protect you."

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‎"By following me everywhere?" she shot back. "You showed up at my office yesterday, then at the café today. Do you know how embarrassing that is?"

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‎Kevin folded his arms. "I don't care about embarrassing. I care about you being safe."

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‎"Safe from what?" she asked. "What are you not telling me?"

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‎He hesitated, his eyes darkening. "There are people who don't like me making... sudden moves. Bringing you into this marriage put a target on you."

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‎Clara froze. "What?"

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‎"You heard me," Kevin said. "Some people would rather see you gone than standing beside me."

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‎Her throat went dry. "So you admit it. This shadowing, the constant watching, it's because you think someone will hurt me."

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‎"Yes."

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‎"And you didn't bother to warn me?" Clara's voice cracked.

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‎"I'm warning you now."

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‎She shook her head. "You don't get it. I don't want you hovering like some bodyguard. I want honesty."

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‎Kevin stepped closer. "And I want you alive."

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‎The silence between them was heavy. Clara's hands trembled as she hugged her bag to her chest.

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‎"You're scaring me more than protecting me," she whispered.

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‎Kevin's jaw clenched. "Good. If fear keeps you careful, then let it."

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‎Clara stared at him, stunned. "You're impossible."

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‎"And you're stubborn," he shot back.

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‎She turned away, blinking fast. "Maybe I just need space."

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‎"No," Kevin said quickly. "Space is the one thing you don't get now."

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‎She glared at him. "You can't decide that for me."

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‎"Yes, I can," Kevin said coldly. "Because if something happens to you, it won't just destroy you. It'll destroy everything I'm fighting for."

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‎Clara's chest ached. His words stung more than she expected. "So that's all I am? A piece of your fight? Another weapon to keep your empire?"

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‎Kevin froze, realizing what he'd said. "Clara, that's not"

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‎But she was already walking away, her footsteps quick and uneven. "Don't follow me, Kevin."

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‎He let her go, his fists clenching at his sides. But later that night, when Clara stepped out of her apartment to get some air, she saw a familiar black car parked across the street.

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‎Kevin was inside, watching.

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‎******

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‎"Did you hear?" two women whispered near the office copier. Clara froze when she realized they were talking about her.

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‎"They say she's not really his wife," one said, lowering her voice. "She's just his mistress. Kevin Raymond wouldn't marry someone like that."

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‎Clara's hands shook as she stuffed papers into a folder.

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‎Her boss, Mr. Adams, called her into his office an hour later. "Clara, I need to talk to you."

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‎She forced a smile. "Of course."

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‎He leaned back in his chair, looking uncomfortable. "Your work is good, no complaints there. But the rumors... they're a distraction."

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‎Her stomach dropped. "Rumors?"

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‎"You and Kevin Raymond. People are saying things. I don't want the company dragged into scandal."

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‎Clara swallowed hard. "It's not a scandal. He's my husband."

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‎Mr. Adams gave her a look that said he didn't believe her. "Just... be careful. If this gets messy, the board won't tolerate it."

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‎Clara nodded stiffly and left his office. By the time she reached the street, her phone buzzed. It was her landlord.

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‎"Clara, you need to clear your apartment by the end of the month," he said bluntly.

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‎"What? Why?"

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‎"I've decided to sell. You'll have to move."

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‎"You can't just throw me out like that," she protested.

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‎"I gave you notice. That's all the law requires." He hung up before she could argue further.

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‎Clara stood frozen on the sidewalk, gripping her phone. Everything was closing in on her, her work, her reputation.

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‎That evening, Clara stormed into the penthouse. Kevin was on the phone, but he immediately hung up when he saw her face.

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‎"What happened?" he asked, standing quickly.

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‎She dropped her bag on the floor. "You tell me. Why is everyone calling me your mistress? Why is my boss warning me about scandals? Why is my landlord suddenly kicking me out?"

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‎Kevin's expression darkened. "Who told you that?"

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‎"No one had to tell me. I'm living it!" Her voice cracked. "This isn't just pressure, Kevin. This is an attack. And it's all because of you."

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‎He reached for her arm, but she stepped back. "Clara.."

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‎"Don't," she snapped. "Don't touch me. Don't tell me it's fine. Because it's not."

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‎Kevin's jaw tightened. "I'll handle it."

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‎Her laugh was bitter. "Handle it? The way you handle everything? By hiding things from me?"

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‎The silence stretched. Kevin's eyes were unreadable, but Clara could feel his walls going up again.

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‎And in that moment, she realized, Evelyn wasn't just trying to ruin her. She was trying to break them apart.

******

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‎Clara padded down the hall late at night, barefoot, heading for a glass of water. As she passed Kevin's study, she stopped. His voice was sharp, low, and tense.

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‎"I don't care what Victor wants," Kevin said into the phone. "The will changes everything. If it comes out, half of the board will turn on him. We can use it."

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‎Clara froze. A will?

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‎She leaned closer to the door.

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‎"Yes," Kevin continued, pacing. "I'll keep her in place. No one can know until I decide. If the inheritance is exposed too soon, everything falls apart."

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‎Clara's heart pounded. Was he talking about her?

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‎The floor creaked under her weight. Kevin went silent.

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‎The door opened suddenly, and there he was, phone in hand, eyes locked on her.

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‎"What are you doing here?" he asked. His voice was calm but his stare was cold.

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‎Clara's throat went dry. "I... I was just getting water."

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‎His eyes narrowed. "How much did you hear?"

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‎"Nothing," she said quickly, shaking her head.

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‎Kevin studied her for a long moment before sliding the phone into his pocket. "Good. Because some things aren't meant for you."

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‎Her chest tightened. "Why not? I'm your wife, Kevin. Don't I deserve to know what's going on?"

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‎"You deserve safety. That's all." His tone was final.

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‎He brushed past her, leaving her standing in the hallway, her mind spinning.

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‎For the first time, Clara wondered if she had married into something far more dangerous than Evelyn's threats.

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