Chapter 41

Chapter

Forty-One

The moment Clairewalks away with Tomas, a knot forms in my stomach, an unease that refuses to settle. I watch them talk from a distance, their heads close together in what seems like an intimate conversation. It"s none of my business, I remind myself, but the feeling of dread lingers.

When Tomas returns alone, a smug look on his face, I brace myself. "Appreciate you getting Claire back into the groove of things, Morgan," he starts, his voice dripping with a condescension I"ve come to expect from him.

I narrow my eyes, not in the mood for his games. "What"s that supposed to mean?"

He leans in as if sharing a secret between confidants, though the last thing I consider us is friendly. "Let"s just say Claire and I... we"ll be seeing a lot more of each other real soon."

The ambiguity of his statement irks me, and I can"t help but press for clarity. "Is that so?"

Tomas"s smirk widens, and I swear if looks could knock someone off their pedestal, he"d be on the ground. "Oh, you haven"t heard? It looks like we might be getting back together. I presented her with an offer she couldn't refuse."

The words hit me like a physical blow, the air knocked from my lungs. For a moment, I"m speechless, the implications of his words swirling in my head like a tempest. Claire, back with Tomas? After everything?

I struggle to keep my composure, the betrayal slicing through me sharper than any knife. "Is that right?" I manage, my voice tight.

Tomas just shrugs, nonchalantly. "You know how it is. Business and pleasure—sometimes they mix well."

I watch him walk away, the smugness in his stride enough to set my teeth on edge. But it"s not just anger I feel; it"s heartache. Doubt seeps into every corner of my mind, clouding my judgment, tainting the memories of the days we just shared.

Is it possible I misread everything between us? Was I just a distraction for Claire, a way to bide her time until she figured things out with Tomas?

I glance up and see Claire. She"s returning to the pavilion with Eliza, they're lost in their own world. Claire's face beaming, radiating happiness and life. Seeing her so vibrant, so full of joy, cements my resolve. I can"t let this go on. I can"t be the one holding Claire back from whatever future she"s chosen, even if it shatters me to let her go.

As I stand there, a spectator amidst her celebration and laughter, I feel more isolated than ever, caught in a web of doubt and heartache spun from a single conversation.

As much as it pains me, I know what I have to do. For Claire"s sake, for mine, I have to step back, to sever whatever fragile connection we"ve begun to build. It"s the only way to protect us both, even if it means breaking my own heart in the process.