Chapter 7: Rise to Power
I sat beside Claudia’s hospital bed, watching her sleep. Her face looked peaceful, relaxed, like she hadn’t just turned my entire life into chaos. But inside me, it wasn’t calm. Not even close.}
The doctor’s warning from earlier kept playing on a loop. The way he looked at me. The words he told Nadine. If I’d used just a little more pressure, she might’ve died.
I pressed my palm to my chest. That dull ache was still there, like something had been ripped out. My heart raced. I didn’t understand why it felt like I’d lost something I couldn’t afford to lose.
Claudia stirred in her sleep and whispered my name, smiling faintly. I reached out and brushed a stray hair from her forehead. I even chuckled, quietly, finding it adorable.}
Focusing my thoughts on Claudia. I tried to forget the doctor’s unsettling comment.}
Nadine was vicious. She wouldn’t dare show her face again, not after everything that happened.
I left the room and sat on the bench in the hallway, and lit a cigarette.
The sharp scent gave me a moment of clarity.
Then my bodyguard showed up. “Sir, Ma’am Nadine asked me to give you this.”}
He handed over a document. I didn’t need to look closely to know what it was. There was a faint bloodstain on the corner.
I waved him off. “Why give me this? She probably lost money again. Wants me to bail her out. Tear it up. I don’t want to see it.“} “But-” he started.
Then, Claudia’s voice called from inside the room. “Russell?“}
I stubbed out the cigarette and snapped, “Don’t let Claudia know I smoke. She hates it.“}
“Understood.“}
The bodyguard hesitated again, still holding the papers.}
snatched them back without thinking. “Forget it. Nadine’s always trying to make me look bad. I’ll keep this as evidence. Let her regret it someday.“&
I glanced at him. “What were you trying to say earlier?“}
He paused. “Sir, Madam came by earlier. It seemed like she came to say goodbye.“}
My breath caught. ‘Goodbye? Where would she even go?‘}
She wasn’t part of the James family anymore. No real assets. Just that art gallery she kept throwing herself into. She didn’t belong anywhere.
So how could she leave?}
Then I remembered the way she looked yesterday. Serious. Calm. Like she’d already made up her mind.
It reminded me of the first time I met her.}
Back then, everyone said the James family’s daughter was cold and proud and too hard to impress. But on that blind date, standing on sorne random street corner, I saw her kneel beside a filthy beggar.
She took out a wad of cash and placed it in his hand. Not tossed–placed. Gently.
“You have arms and legs. Don’t waste your life begging. I’ll invest in you. I’ll be your main shareholder. Whether you get a job or start a business, it’s your choice. Once you succeed, pay me back.“}
Back then, I scoffed. “Stupid.“}
She didn’t get angry and asked, “What part of it is stupid?“}
I retorted, “You think giving that much money to a beggar is smart? He’ll waste it. No one works when they get handed free cash.”
She stopped, her gaze steady. “That’s not waste. He’s young. There’s a spark in his eyes. I don’t give money to just anyone. I have standards. Mark my words. In five years, he’ll be successful.“}
The sun was bright that day. Her voice was calm, steady. Something about it stuck with me. Her smile was fearless, like she believed the world couldn’t break her.
Almost without thinking, I’d said, “Nadine, let’s get married.“}
Her name still echoed in my head.”
“Russell, what are you thinking?“”
Claudia’s voice snapped me back to the present.
I didn’t answer right away. My mind was still stuck on Nadine.
She used to be obsessed with investing. Constantly borrowing money, trying to turn a profit. Most of the time, she failed, but she never quit. She’d keep trying until she made it back.
Could she really walk away from all of that?%
And besides, we weren’t even officially divorced.”
A lump rose in my throat. I swallowed it down.!!
Then, Claudia tugged gently on my sleeve. “Russell… am I bothering you?”
She looked up at me, all soft and innocent, as she said, “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. Because of me, you fought with Nadine. I’m such a
Stepsister Stole My Husband Sol Took His From
bed?
I shut my eyes and shoved those memories aside.
“You did nothing wrong,” I said. “It’s all Nadine’s fault.”
Yeah. That was the truth.}
If Nadine hadn’t stood there doing nothing, Claudia wouldn’t have fallen.}
If she hadn’t handed Claudia a broken charm necklace, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.
Nadine was cold. Manipulative. Always picking on Claudia.}
I couldn’t believe I had started missing her.}
I ran my fingers through Claudia’s hair, reassuring her. “It’s alright now. She won’t bother you anymore.“}
Claudia’s eyes got big. “What happened to Nadine?“}
“She…” I hesitated.
I flat–out answered, “She left Harborview. She’s not coming back.”>
Claudia’s eyes widened before her eyebrows furrowed in concern. Her tears streamed down, and her nose scrunched.§
“I’m sorry, Russell. It’s all my fault. Because of me, she left. I’ll go get her. I don’t want to ruin your marriage again…” she cried out, sniffing softly.
My chest tightened, seeing her so heartbroken and guilty.
I held her close, gently brushing her back and offering reassurance. “Claudia, it’s not your fault. A woman like that should’ve left a long time ago. Once she’s gone for two years, the marriage annuls itself. That’ll be the end of it.“}
‘looked down at Claudia.}
She was quiet. Soft. Mine.}
With her in my arms, I didn’t think about Nadine anymore.
…
Claudia’s POV
Russell spoke about our future as if it were a fairytale we were about to step into together, his voice warm and filled with dreams. He didn’t even notice I wasn’t crying in his arms.
Not even close.
My eyes were shining, sure, but it wasn’t from heartbreak.
It was satisfaction–pure, quiet triumph.D
Nadine was finally out of the picture. And I was the one still standing.”
Stanglter So
