A bride's broken dreams

pers

een her fingers, but her attention was elsewhere She couldn't shake the image of Claire from h

ng she couldn't quite place. It wasn't just her beauty or her undeniable charm; it was t

here's a reason behind her vague respo

just richer but trying to keep her profile hidden. Maybe they are benea

ng a slow sip of her tea as she watched

the door interru

called, setting he

er, entered the room, holding

exuded, but today there was something in his expression,

head slightly. I've brought the

her gaze sharp and unwaveri

open the folder which contains neat stacks of papers. I've

he allowed herself to imagine the possibilities a foreign heiress, a woman of

explain, her hope slo

e modest. Her mother manages a small family-owned coffee shop in Seattle, which has been struggling to stay afloat for

st of her chair. She could feel her pulse quick

e repeated, her voic

ble connections to any wealthy families or in

was silent, processing t

she had built. Claire wasn't some hidden fortune, nor was she

into their world, wearing a facade of class

e perfectly curated appearances, the vague answers about her background. It was all lies. Clai

Kendrick had fallen for it. How could he be so blind? How could he, a man raised with the fine

and commanding. Every detail. Who she associates with, how she came

ious. Of course, ma'am. I'll gath

self a wealthy husband? Was she hoping to marry Kendrick and live off his fortune? The thought of Claire standi

e more thing, she added, her eyes narrowing. I want to know if she's been lyin

hat I've gathered, Kendrick seems unaware of her true

drick didn't know. Claire had likely spun some tale to keep h

th plans. Claire Williams thought she could deceive the Harolds, thought she cou

fix this, to ensure that Kendrick didn't make a mistake that would cost their family dearly. But first, she needed

m of it. And when I do, Claire Williams

lating smile spread across her lips.