Harbor of Heartbreak

Chapter 1

Alexander Crawford's secretary was pregnant.

On our ninth wedding anniversary, he brought her home.

With the kind of cold indifference only he could muster, he said:

"The young lady has a refined palate. From now on, make sure her meals never repeat."

"She's sensitive and can't sleep alone. Pack your things and move into the guest room."

I didn't say a word. I just picked up my already-packed suitcase and calmly walked toward the front door.

The butler tried to stop me, but Alexander just smirked.

"Let her throw her tantrum. She'll come crawling back within three days."

Laughter filled the room. Right in front of me, they bet a million dollars I wouldn't last the night out there, that I'd come slinking back, begging him to let me in.

What they didn't know?

The luxury car he had personally arranged was already waiting outside.

This time, I was really leaving.

Just as I reached the door, Alexander called after me.

"Claire, leave the bracelet. Natalie's been having nightmares."

The bracelet. My parents' heirloom.

My fingers tightened around the suitcase handle as my eyes reddened. Alexander watched with a detached expression and added:

"Name your price."

How much was nine years of humiliation worth? I didn't bother doing the math.

I just remembered the last time I refused to give Natalie my ski goggles on a trip, how Alexander stripped me down and left me half-naked on the slopes.

So I walked over and fastened the bracelet onto Natalie's wrist.

I told her, "I hope your baby comes into this world healthy and safe."

Maybe it was that rare, unexpected blessing that caught Alexander off guard. He suddenly offered me an olive branch:

"Claire, if you behave, my child can be your child too."

The words had barely left his mouth when the bracelet slipped from Natalie's wrist and shattered on the floor.

A shard cut her leg. Blood bloomed against her pale skin.

Alexander scooped her up in a panic, barking at the butler:

"Get the doctor. Now!"

His panic sent ripples of amusement through the room.

They found it funny. And in that moment, so did I.

Because just last night, when I had a heart attack, Alexander had stepped right over me, expressionless, as I collapsed on the floor.

He was on his way to watch shooting stars with Natalie.

Foaming at the mouth, my vision darkening, I heard him instruct the butler:

"Disinfect everything. Natalie's coming home tomorrow, I don't want her smelling anything unpleasant."

I gripped my suitcase tighter and turned to leave.

But Alexander's hand clamped around my wrist.

"Apologize," he ordered coldly.

"What, " I began, but before I could finish, he yanked me forward and forced me to kneel in front of Natalie.

My knees slammed into the shattered jade, slicing skin, leaving bloodstains on the pristine white floor.

Only when the red spread did he let go of me, disgust curling his lips.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you? You broke the bracelet and hurt her. Don't you think you owe her an apology?"

Since marrying Alexander, "I'm sorry" had practically become my catchphrase.

The soup was too bland? I'm sorry.

Checked in on him because I was worried he might be sick? Sorry for disturbing you.

Caught a glimpse of Natalie's hotel invitation text? So sorry for invading your privacy.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I pushed myself up, bowed to Natalie, and apologized.

Three times.

Then I turned to Alexander, dead-eyed, lips split and bleeding.

"Is that enough?" I asked quietly.

He stared at me, chest heaving, eyes dark.

"Your precious grandfather isn't around to protect you anymore, Claire. Who exactly are you putting on this pathetic show for?"

Before I could say a word, the family doctor arrived.

Alexander brushed past me like I was invisible and rushed to Natalie.

And that's when I took my chance.

I turned and walked straight out the door.

Two short honks.

The silver car was waiting just beyond the gates.

I picked up my pace.

But before the gates even began to open, two bodyguards stepped out of nowhere, grabbed me, and dragged me back toward the house.