My heart had turned hollow by this time. Nothing could hurt me anymore. For what seemed eternity, I heard the sound of door's churning and then the footsteps of Julian as he reached to my side of the bed.

Gently caressing my hair, he asked, "What happened, Claire? You seem... a little off today."

"I'm fine." I said, my voice distant. "I'm just tired."

"Oh," He just mumbled. "Take rest then."

Having said that, he walked up to the door, grabbed his leather jacket and was about to go out when I finally asked, "Where are you going?"

"Since you are tired, I will let you take rest for tonight, Claire." He said, "Layla is going for late night party. I don't feel it's safe for her to go alone. So, I'm going with her."

My nails dig deeper inside the pillow. Two drops of tears rolled down my cheeks, a stark contrast to my earlier thought that nothing could hurt me anymore.

"Okay," I said, "Have fun with... Layla."

I tried my best, not to be sarcastic. But, he seemed to guess something was not right and walked up to me.

"Claire..." He whispered, "There is nothing between me and her, okay? Stop overthinking. Her parents have huge favor on me. I'm just returning it."

"I know." I said, not bothering enough to look at him.

"One more thing." He began, "Your brother has not apologized to Layla's brother yet. Try to put some sense into your brother's mind and bring him to Layla's home to apologise."

"He should be thankful enough that Layla's parents did not file complaint against him considering my relationship with him or else he would have been behind the cell by now."

"He can at least apologize sincerely, can't he?"

Julian's words sent shivers down my spine, reminding me the tragic death of my brother. Still, he didn't know!

He didn't know that Layla's family could never harm my brother anymore. They had already done enough. He had suffered enough. He would not suffer anymore.

"He will not come, Julian!" I said, finally raising my head to look at him. "He isn't coming back! Never." I yelled.

I remembered a week ago my mother had called me, informing me about my brother being locked inside his room and not opening the door for anyone.

At that time, Julian had been insisting I should go with him to see Layla's parents and apologize on my brother's behalf.

I informed him about my brother's situation. But, he coldly replied, "He is just throwing tantrums. So, he could save his face."

"You are my wife, Claire. So, you should listen to me." He commanded.

"What if I don't?" I asked, my voice challenging.

"Then I have plenty of ways to make you obey." That's what he had said, threatening me with throwing my brother into prison with the evidence he had gathered against him.

That day, he dragged me to Layla's home only to find out her whole family was out for a trip. When we returned home, I received a message.

[We were too late, Claire. Your brother killed himself.]

A picture was attached with it showing my brother lying in the pool of blood, a headphone attached to his ears.

Julian's eyes darkened. He was not used to listen 'No' from me, let alone 'Never'.

He walked closer His legs paused mid-strideto me, each step he took showed dominance and arrogance. For a moment, I stiffened in my bed. Then echoed the voice of Layla, seductive and charming, "Julian... We are getting late dear."

His legs paused mid-stride.He only spoke, "Listen to me very carefully, Claire. If you don't want your brother to be sent to prison, bring him to Layla's Birthday party next week and try to come with some decent gifts, alright?"

I pursed my lips as I finally said, my voice cold and distant, "Alright, he will come... With a proper gift."

"Good..." He said, his voice softening and he turned his back at me and left.

As soon as he left the room, I dialed a number. The call was picked up immediately.

"I know what you want from me. I have all the information about Julian's Clients and his upcoming projects. I'll hand over all the core information to you."

"In return, I want you not to just gather the evidence of my brother's evidence, but also the evidence of Julian's crime. I want him exposed next week."

Michael's voice sounded from the other end, a cold mirthless laughter as he spoke, "Cutting the hands that feeds you, Mrs. Williams? I hope you have some plans in your mind after screwing your husband."

"You don't need to worry about that." I said before I hang up the call.

Then I called my lawyer.

"Are the divorce papers ready?" I asked, I had filed for divorce the day Luke died.

"Yes, Mrs. Williams. When and where you do you want me to deliver it?" He asked.

"Next week. At Royal Palace."

A banquet arranged by my husband to celebrate Layla White's birthday. He wanted me to come with a gift.

What could be better gift than giving away my husband to her?

After Julian went with Layla, he did not return home for the whole week. He just left me a text.

[I'm going on a business tour and won't be coming home before the weekend.]

Within a few minutes, another text arrived.

[After you and your brother apologize to Claire in her birthday party, I'll take you out on a candle light dinner that you always wanted. Take care.]

I clenched the phone in my hand. He was luring me with a date at the same time lying about his business tour.

I had already checked Layla's new post in which she had posted the picture of a honeymoon suit. She was laying on a man's bare chest.

With one glance I could tell it was Julian. The tattoo of a lion was quite revealing to ignore.

But, I did not expose his lies. It was the least thing I cared about in my life now. I simply typed a message.

[Okay.]

After that, I blocked his number and destroyed the sim card.

On the other side, Julian was expecting a call from me, inspecting where he was and why did he go without me.

However, when his phone didn't rang despite him waiting for half an hour, he felt weird.

"Why did she not call me back? It's not like Claire... She should have called me by now, asking me if I had taken my medicine or taken my meals on time or not." He blurted out.

"Oh, come on, Julian." Layla sighed, wrapping her hands around his shoulder, "She is just throwing tantrums. Can't you see that?"

After having his first love rolled around him, he let other thoughts off and pulled her in his lap.

Passionately kissing her lips, he said, "You are right. I should not let her disturb our honeymoon. It's just us now."

They enjoyed the whole week visiting different places, shopping expensive accessories for Layla and then shaming our marriage by lying naked in the same bed.

After their 'honeymoon period' ended, they returned. However, Julian didn't go back to his home. Instead, he spent the whole day with Layla and took her to the Royal Palace where he had already arranged her birthday celebration.

The Royal Palace lived up to its name, dripping in gold leaf and illuminated by crystal chandeliers that cast a shimmering, honeyed glow over the city’s elite.

Julian had spared no expense; the grand ballroom was a sea of rare white orchids and vintage champagne, all curated to make Layla feel like the undisputed queen of his world.

Layla floated through the room in a bespoke silk gown, her hand tucked firmly into Julian’s arm. She basked in the envious stares of the guests.

Julian had invited big names to the party. Big producers, Directors, Business Tycoons, singers, actors, and stars. Everyone was gathered in a single ballroom.

He didn't spare journalists as well. The intention was to cover the scene when Claire and her brother would apologize. They must cover it in their camera and stream it live to clear Layla and her brother's name.

However, one of the journalists walked out of his group. He stood right in front of Layla who was all set to cut her birthday cake in the presence of stars and elite guests.

"Miss Layla! Is it true that your brother, David, has been detained for framing a rising star when infact he is the one who copied his note?" one reporter shouted over the din.

Layla’s face went bone-white, the knife trembling in her hand. "I... I don't know what you're talking about. David would never do that."

Julian stepped forward, shielding Layla with a protective arm. "What is the meaning of this? I did not invite you for this!"

But the reporters weren't interested in his outrage. They swarmed Layla, microphones thrust toward her face like silver daggers.

"The police just released a statement!" another journalist chimed in, the camera lens catching the sheer panic in her eyes.

"There are allegations that your entire 'honeymoon' was funded by the money your brother laundered in the scandel."

Layla turned to Julian as her escape. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Julian! What is going on here? What should I do?"

"Why are they accusing me instead?" She asked.

Julian held a comforting hands on her shoulder and said in a gentle voice, "Don't worry, Layla. Once Claire arrives and confess on behalf of her brother, everything will be okay."

"Do you think she will do that?" Layla asked in a panicked voice, "What if she doesn't?"

Julian's eyes darkened as he said, "She will! She has no one to rely on. If she wants to live at my house, she will have to listen to me."

Just then the heavy oak door was pushed open. It wasn't the submissive wife Julian expected. Instead a man in black suit walked in.

He didn't shoot a glance over the VIP guests and the stars. He walked straight to Julian. Placing a pen drive in his hands, he said, "This is from Claire White. She asked me to deliver you."

Layla's eyes lit up. She quickly picked the pen drive from Julian's hands. Facing the reporters she said, "Watch this! The culprit you are supporting is already feeling too shameful to show up in public. That's why they have confessed their crime in the video instead."

Julian curled his lips into a smug glance. He wrapped his hands around Layla's waist and said, "That's right! My wife has already apologized Layla and her brother. What more evidence do you need to know Layla and her brother are innocent."

"If you still have some doubt, I can play this video before everyone."

After throwing out these words, Julian turned to look at his assistant as he commanded, "Play the video on the projector. Let them all witness the confession of Claire and Luke themselves."