Wounds of the Heart

rom the previous evening had left their mark. Clara, despite her revelations to Emma, still felt trapp

ad always borne the weight of their parents' expectations on his shoulders, while Pierre, more relaxed and affable, seemed to navigate with ease

rre remarked, walking beside his brother. « And I k

lightly, staring

ing impo

He knew his brother

or Clara. I know when yo

out a deep sigh, runni

memories I'd rather forget

his arms, loo

ve something to

head toward his b

did yo

. Ever since she arrived, you've looked like a ma

reveal everything. But Pierre was his brother. If

Lucas began. « Something I can't eras

urrowed

at exa

red his ey

me kiss anot

ing of birds. Pierre, initially incredulous, event

iously? That's

is voice filled with regret

s brother's shoulder, sear

nd that you can't run from your mistakes forever. If you really

ly, but a shadow

ents never truly accepted Clara. They t

is lips together

nderstood that money and sta

s si

Clara was a distraction, an obstacle to my r

aughed b

s. You know what? Sometimes I wonder if our parents

y empire, centered in another city, had shaped their lives but also imposed considerable pressures on the two brothers. Emma, despi

ued, his expr

sn't know anything ab

hook hi

ents are just expected

ara? » Pie

her, » Lucas admitted. « But she does

t out a d

, Lucas. Not just with Clara, but wi

isions heavy on his shoulders. He knew Pierr

in a loop in her mind. She couldn't ignore what she had learned, but she didn't k

on a bench, his gaze fixed on the horiz

, » she s

up at her,

Are you

her serious expression b

talk to you.

ned slightly, r

m list

breath before ask

he told me that she saw you kissing an

s for a moment, guil

. But it's not wha

d her arms,

use right now, it look

r his face, searchin

rough a tough time. I was lost, and that woman was..

ent, her piercing

e? Do you realize what you did, Lucas? You broke Cla

his head, unab

voice trembling sl

not to hurt me. She carried this burden alon

disappointment writ

Lucas. And you betrayed her. That's no

ster's words. He knew she was right, bu

days to come would be decisive, not only for Lucas and Clara but also f

a's Per

ind, each word echoing painfully. She had finally revealed part of the truth, but it wasn't enough to soothe

the park came flooding back, brutal and insistent. She recalled the pain she felt that day, a pain she had tried

ight choice in coming back here. Perhaps she should have stayed away, continued running. But part of her knew

er support, the one who had helped her through the darkest moments of her life. And now, Clara

e thought about his words, his promises, everything they had shared. And yet, he had broken it all

trong, but she felt so fragile. She wanted to move forward, but she didn't know how. A

s's Per

at the ground, lost in thought. The conversation with Emma had shaken him. He knew he had made a m

over. That kiss, that woman-it had never meant anything to him. It was a mistake, a distraction

he didn't know how. Clara was so distant, so cold, and he couldn't blame her. He

nore. And Clara, with her gentleness, her authenticity, had been a refuge for him, an escape from that world of duties and expectations. But his parents had never acc

o Clara, to explain, to show her that he was sincere. But he was afraid. Afraid she wouldn't believ

ould be difficult, but he was willing to do whatever it took to regain Clara's trust.