Chapter 303
Audrey checked the text: (Audrey, I know you hate me. Take it out on me. Please leave Valerie alone.)
Audrey rolled her eyes, thinking Clayton was out of his mind. Without hesitation, she blocked the number.
Clayton stared at his phone, waiting in vain for a reply. This was a new number. It would be a while before he could return to Ironhaven, so he had a menial job.
He tried again: [This is my new number. Contact me if needed. Valerie is sick. Don’t let her infect you.]
Clayton sent the message, but there was no “read” receipt. His finger hovered over the call button. Gritting his teeth, he dialed but heard a robotic voice. “The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please…”
Clayton thought, ‘She blocked me?‘
“Clay, help me out here.” Just then, the bathroom door opened. Valerie’s hand groped blindly for support.
Clayton approached, then immediately turned away at the sight of her nakedness. “Put some clothes on.”
“Why? We’re going to bed,” Valerie scoffed, rolling her eyes at his prudish act.
After failing to pay Arlo, she had been hauled to the police station. But for someone like her, thick–skinned, remorseful only when caught, and poor, the cops could only mediate.
Valerie had bad luck. On the way out, she had missed a step and tumbled down the stairs, leaving her elbows and knees mottled with bruises.
The rental apartment offered was cramped. Valerie limped to the bed and prepared to lie down.
“Sleep in the other room,” Clayton snapped. With her STDs, sharing a bed was unthinkable.
Valerie smirked. “If you’re not afraid I’ll infect Luna, then sure.”
Clayton was furious. “She’s your daughter! How can you-”
“And your legal responsibility,” Valerie cut in, yanking the blanket over herself. “Or did losing your law license wipe out the statute books too?” She turned to the wall, eyes shut.
Clayton stood by the bed, trembling with rage. If not for Luna, he would’ve filed for divorce long ago. The thought of Valerie neglecting her, withholding food, abusing her, and even making her sick on purpose twisted his gut.
He wanted custody. Legally, Valerie’s current state made her unfit. If he could prove he could cover Luna’s living and education costs while providing stability, the courts would likely rule in his favor. For now, he couldn’t afford to burn bridges.
He turned and went out. Valerie watched his retreat, then rolled over and went back to sleep.
Clayton spent the night curled on the cramped sofa.
The next morning, he took Luna out for breakfast before dropping her at the kindergarten entrance. “I’ll pick you up after work. Be good, okay?” He handed her the tiny backpack.
Luna hugged his neck, planted a kiss on his cheek, and scampered off after the teacher
With his law license revoked, Clayton was barred from professional work. The looming possibility of returning to Ironhaven limited him to temp jobs, so he headed to a labor agency.
Chapter 303)
Days earlier, he had worked security at a corporate gala. Today, the foreman mentioned a high–profile wedding needing extra hands. Clayton signed OP immediately.
Yann’s wedding invitations had gone but not just to elites across industries but also to select media outlets.
He had emphasized one rule—no leaked photos. Audrey’s pregnancy had caused mild swelling lately, and he refused to let unflattering images sour her.
mood.
Audrey noticed the changes. Her limbs felt puffy, and her bust became fuller.
Thankfully, the designer had accounted for adjustments. A single seam release on the wedding day would ensure a perfect fit.
Amelia had arranged for Audrey to stay at her home the night before the wedding, ensuring she could have a proper send–off.
Audrey worried Richard and Owen might resent the intrusion, but both welcomed her warmly. She smiled, presenting the gifts she had prepared for
them, “Thank you for having me.”
Richard’s smile was gentle. “Amelia’s friends are ours as well.”
Owen, massaging Amelia’s shoulders, chuckled, “Mom, since you helped Yann land such a perfect wife, you owe me one, too. No favoritism.”
Amelia laughed, “I didn’t ‘find‘ her. Yann did that himself.”
Owen turned to Audrey with a grin. “Audrey, got any friends to introduce? I’m only two years younger than Yann, you know.”
Flustered by the praise, Audrey hesitated, then remembered Lena. “Not at the moment, but if I meet someone suitable, I’ll introduce you.”
“Great.” Owen’s smile widened.
That night, Audrey should have slept early, but the rest wouldn’t come.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Yann: [Still up?]
- Smiling, Audrey called him. “About to sleep. You?”
“I can’t fall asleep.” On the balcony, Yann stubbed out a third cigarette. He and Audrey had lived together as a couple for months, yet tomorrow’s wedding had his jaw clenched tight enough to dent the filter. “Are you feeling alright?”
“Perfect. Richard is lovely, Owen too.”
“Better than me?”
Audrey hugged a pillow to her chest, laughing, “You’re the best. No contest.”
The tension in Yann’s mind eased slightly. “I’ll be there on time tomorrow. If you need to pause anything, say the word.”
“Got it.” Audrey paused before hanging up. “Love you.”
Yann only caught the “love you” just before the call ended, his lips curving upward for the first time all night.
The next morning, Yann woke up early. He stood in front of the mirror, checking his outfit over and over again.
Only after the stylist, along with Everett and Miles, repeatedly assured him that he looked perfect did he finally get into the car.
The security team had arrived early, having drilled for days to ensure flawless execution.
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Chapter 303
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Radios crackled as guards tested comms before dispersing to their posts. Clayton and a colleague were assigned to monitor the parking lot’s side gate
Nearby, the wedding planners darted about, placing the couple’s photos in prominent locations.
Clayton glanced over his shoulder and froze.
His coworker whistled. “Rich guys marry the most amazing women. Look at that grace, those features. If my wife had even a tenth of that, I’d de happy”
Clayton’s pulse roared in his ears.
The photo showed Audrey in soft makeup, her smile luminous as she leaned into Yann, delicate yet radiating quiet strength.
Clayton thought bitterly, ‘She was mine once, but I lost her.‘
The realization hit like a hammer, his body wobbling uncontrollably.
“Hey, you okay?” A colleague caught his arm. “Take a break if you’re feeling unwell. But get it together before the guests arrive.”
Clayton staggered away, his face ashen. Amid the chaos, no one noticed him drifting toward the main entrance.
AD
