Chapter 6: The Choice That Changed Everything
Serena looked at me with something between anger and sadness.
"You really don't know, do you?""
I didn't respond.
Because I was afraid.
Not of her.
Of the answer.
Sometimes ignorance hurts less than the truth.
But only temporarily.
"Tell me.""
My voice was quiet.
Serena looked toward the ICU room.
"Julian and I were together for three years.""
Three years.
Longer than I had known him before marriage.
My fingers tightened.
"He never mentioned you.""
A painful smile appeared on her face.
"Of course he didn't.""
"Why?""
"Because he chose you.""
The way she said it wasn't like someone who accepted defeat.
It sounded like someone who was still waiting for revenge.
"He chose my family.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Serena looked at Arthur and Teresa.
Their faces changed.
They knew.
"I came from a family that wasn't good enough for them.""
I looked at Julian's parents.
Teresa looked uncomfortable.
Arthur looked away.
Serena continued.
"They wanted Julian to marry someone respectable.""
My stomach tightened.
"And they chose me?""
She laughed.
"No.""
Her eyes locked onto mine.
"They chose you because you were useful.""
The words felt like a slap.
Useful.
"What are you talking about?""
"You had a medical background. You had connections. You helped Julian build his company.""
I shook my head.
"That's not true.""
But a small part of me remembered.
The late nights.
The documents.
The research.
The advice.
The introductions.
I had helped him.
A lot.
Serena stepped closer.
"Julian didn't marry you because he forgot me.""
My breath caught.
"He married you because he needed what you could give him.""
I wanted to deny it.
I wanted to scream.
But memories came rushing back.
The way Julian always praised my intelligence when he needed help.
The way he became distant after his company became successful.
The way he stopped asking about my dreams.
The way he started acting like my sacrifices were normal.
I closed my eyes.
No.
I couldn't break down here.
Not in front of them.
Not again.
I opened my eyes.
"What happened between you and Julian after we married?""
Serena looked away.
"Ask him.""
My heart sank.
"He's unconscious.""
"Then wait until he wakes up.""
Her voice became colder.
"Because the truth is something he has to tell you himself.""
Before I could answer, a nurse rushed out.
"Dr. Whitmore!""
I immediately turned.
"What happened?""
"Your husband woke up.""
For the first time all night...
I felt something other than anger.
Relief.
I rushed into the ICU.
Julian's eyes were open.
Weak.
Confused.
But alive.
"Clara...""
My name left his lips.
And for a moment, I remembered the man I married.
The man who held my hand when I was sick.
The man who promised me forever.
But then I remembered the phone.
The messages.
The lies.
I stood beside his bed.
"Julian.""
His eyes moved over my face.
He looked scared.
Not because he was sick.
Because he knew.
He knew I knew something.
"Where is Serena?""
That was the first question he asked.
Not "Are you okay?""
Not "How long was I unconscious?""
Not "I'm sorry.""
Serena.
I felt my last hope disappear.
I looked at him.
"Why does she matter so much?""
His face changed.
"Clara...""
"No.""
I shook my head.
"You don't get to avoid this anymore.""
His breathing became heavier.
The monitor started beeping faster.
But I didn't step back.
Not this time.
"Tell me the truth.""
The room became silent.
Then Julian whispered:
"Because Serena is not the only person I lied to.""
My blood ran cold.
"What does that mean?""
He closed his eyes.
And the words that came next changed everything.
"Clara...""
His voice trembled.
"Your medical research wasn't stolen.""
I froze.
"What?""
He opened his eyes.
"I gave it to them.""
The room went completely silent.
May you like
And in that moment...
I realized my husband's betrayal was much deeper than I ever imagined.
