Inheritance of Deceit

strength of knowing she was finally taking control of her life. Jack's desperate attempts to regain his composure were futile, and for the

was too little, too late. "You don't understand... I never meant

r voice calm but resolute. "I gave you everything. My trust, my love. A

ore. She had spent too long licking her wounds, waiting for an apology that would never come

I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please, let me explain. I

u dare make this about me again. You wanted power, J

weight of his guilt bore down on him. For a moment, it almost seemed as though

But you have to understand, I was trying to build a li

talking about? I gave you everything! I gave you m

something darker. "I wanted more than just your love, Clara. I wanted freedom. I wanted the ch

eved that Jack had loved her-maybe not in the same way she had loved him, but she had believed there ha

like it had been shared with a stranger. She hadn't just lost

barely above a whisper. "You never cared abo

frustration. "That's

weight of the room close in on her. She was done. She had fought for too long

he turned away from him, walking toward the door. "And who

could say that would undo the damage. His silence spoke louder than any apol

e said, her voice low, her gaze steely. "But it wil

the door behind her, leaving Jack st

ess she felt-at least not yet. But she had found something more valuable: peace. It wasn't going

d nothing, not even Jack, co