Chapter 5 BETRAYAL UNVEILED

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‎"Clara, you have to listen to me," Kevin said the second she stepped into the living room.

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‎She dropped her purse on the sofa and crossed her arms. "Don't. Just don't, Kevin. I saw it with my own eyes. She said she's pregnant, everyone heard it."

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‎"She's lying," Kevin shot back. His voice was sharp, but his eyes were tired. "Evelyn is desperate. That baby is not mine."

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‎Clara laughed bitterly. "Not yours? Then why didn't you say that right away? Why did you just stand there like she owned you?"

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‎Kevin raked a hand through his hair. "Because I was shocked! Do you know how insane it is to hear someone claim you're the father of their child in front of the press? I didn't even have time to think"

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‎"You didn't need to think," Clara cut in. Her voice shook, and she pointed at him like he was a stranger. "All you had to do was open your mouth and deny it. You froze, Kevin and now everyone believes her."

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‎"I was trying to protect you," he said quickly.

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‎Clara's jaw dropped. "Protect me? By keeping silent?"

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‎"Yes!" he snapped, then lowered his voice. "If I had argued with her in front of the cameras, it would have made things worse."

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‎Clara's eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. "So instead, you let her humiliate me. You let her call herself the mother of your child while I stood there like some pathetic fool."

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‎Kevin stepped closer, reaching for her hands, but she pulled them back. "Clara, please. I swear on everything that matters to me, she is lying. You are my wife. You are the only one I want."

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‎Clara's voice cracked. "Then prove it, show me something, anything."

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‎Kevin opened his mouth, then shut it. His silence stretched between them like a wall.

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‎"You can't," Clara whispered, her throat tight. "You can't prove it, can you?"

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‎"It's not that simple," he muttered.

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‎"Of course it isn't," she said bitterly. "It's never simple with you."

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‎Kevin's voice rose again. "You think I'd betray you like that? After everything? Clara, I chose you. I married you. Why can't you trust me?"

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‎"Because trust goes both ways!" she yelled, finally losing control. "You keep secrets, you hide things. Every time I think I know you, something else comes out and now the whole world thinks Evelyn is carrying your child. And you expect me to just smile and trust you?"

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‎Kevin's shoulders sagged. "I don't expect you to smile. I just need you to hold on. Let me handle this."

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‎Clara shook her head. "No, Kevin. I can't keep standing here waiting for you to 'handle it.' I feel like I'm drowning while you're too busy playing chess with your family and Evelyn."

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‎He tried again to touch her, but she stepped back, her face pale. "Don't, Kevin. Because right now, I don't even know if I can look at you without seeing her."

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‎Kevin's voice dropped to a desperate whisper. "Don't leave me."

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‎Clara picked up her purse and headed for the door. "I don't know what I'll do yet. But I can't breathe in here. Not with you telling me to trust words with no proof."

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‎"Clara, please!" Kevin called, his voice breaking.

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‎But the door slammed shut, leaving him standing alone in the silent house, his fists clenched and his face full of regret.

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‎******

‎The ballroom sparkled with lights and cameras, but Clara felt like she was walking into a lion's den. Kevin's hand was firm on her back as they entered, but she could feel his tension.

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‎"Smile," Kevin murmured. "They're all watching."

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‎"I don't feel like smiling," Clara replied under her breath.

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‎Reporters whispered, eyes following her like she was an intruder. The whispers were sharp: That's the wife? She looks so plain. Evelyn would have been better.

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‎Clara forced herself to lift her chin.

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‎Kevin's father stood on stage with a glass in his hand, tall and commanding. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said with a proud smile, "let us raise our glasses to the future of the Raymond empire and to Evelyn, who carries the next generation."

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‎The room erupted in applause. Evelyn stood near the front, radiant in a silver gown, smiling sweetly as if she belonged.

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‎Clara froze and her stomach twisted. She felt the sting of humiliation crawl up her throat.

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‎She leaned toward Kevin, whispering harshly, "Are you hearing this? Your father just toasted her. In front of everyone."

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‎Kevin's jaw clenched. "Ignore him."

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‎"I can't ignore being erased," Clara shot back.

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‎Evelyn's eyes flicked to her, a victorious gleam shining through. She even dared to wave lightly at Clara, like mocking her.

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‎Clara's pulse roared in her ears. She couldn't sit quietly any longer. She shoved back her chair, stood up, and her voice carried across the hall.

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‎"Stop this," she said, her voice shaking but loud enough for the crowd to hear. "I won't be silent, i am Kevin's wife. Legally. Right here, right now."

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‎The ballroom fell silent.

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‎Gasps spread like fire as all eyes turned to her.

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‎******

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‎The silence after Clara's outburst was heavy. People whispered, cameras clicked.

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‎Kevin's father's smile faded, but before he could speak, Evelyn stepped forward gracefully, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

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‎"Oh, Clara," Evelyn said sweetly, her voice carrying. "You really think a rushed city hall paper makes you his wife in any real sense? Kevin belongs with me. And soon, everyone will see why."

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‎Clara's fists tightened at her sides. "You're lying. You've been lying from the start."

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‎Evelyn smirked and held up a folder. "Really? Then perhaps everyone should take a look at this." She pulled out crisp documents and handed them to a nearby reporter. "Official paternity results. Kevin is the father of my child."

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‎Flashes exploded as reporters scrambled, shouting questions. Clara's heart pounded, her breath caught in her chest.

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‎She turned to Kevin, waiting, praying for him to deny it, to shout that Evelyn was lying.

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‎But Kevin just stood there, silent. His jaw tight, his eyes unreadable.

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‎Clara's stomach dropped. She felt the ground slip under her feet.

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‎"You can't even deny it," she whispered, her voice breaking. Then louder, "We're done, Kevin."

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‎She spun and stormed out, straight into the swarm of paparazzi waiting outside.

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