Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 42

Ever since I moved into the Hope Family, I had always seen her as a graceful, gentle woman—elegant and composed, like still water.

This was the first time she had lost her temper in front of others—to defend me.

Anna clutched her stinging cheek in shock, her hair disheveled as she collapsed onto the floor.

Marcus hurriedly helped her up, his gaze filled with pity for her swollen face.

But in front of my mother, he said nothing—just looked at me in silence.

"You better hope I don't find out what you've done to Clara in the past. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

At least now, I had a family to back me up.

Before the banquet ended, my father took the stage.

"Aside from thanking everyone for attending Clara's birthday celebration, I have another announcement to make."

His voice was steady, not too loud, but his gaze deliberately landed on Marcus.

"The board has decided that, effective immediately, Marcus will no longer serve as a director of Grayson Corporation. The new board member—Clara Hope."

As he spoke, he held up the official appointment letter.

In bold letters, it read:

Chairperson: Clara Hope.

My father owned 48% of Hope Corporation—the largest share, granting him full decision-making power.

I stood on stage, looking at Marcus.

He watched me from a distance, his expression unreadable, his eyes dark with disbelief and resentment.

Marcus, did you like my surprise?

After the banquet, heavy rain poured down.

Marcus asked to speak with me.

I stood by the rock garden in the estate's garden, arms crossed, watching him.

"Clara, I know you still love me. I love you too. Only you. Please… forgive me."

I lifted my gaze and rolled my eyes.

How typical.

His eyes were filled with desperation and fear as he walked toward me, step by step, before finally dropping to his knees.

His body trembled as he spoke, exhausted and powerless.

"Can't you at least return the company to me, for the sake of our past marriage?"

"You know that without Grayson Corporation, I have nothing."

I turned away, disgusted by his pathetic state.

"Marcus, you're making me sick."

His fists clenched, but he said nothing.

I took a deep breath, finally turning to face him.

"Marcus, I know. You stopped loving me a long time ago."

"But I loved you. I really did."

"From the moment you pulled me out of that dark storage room… You were my light."

I stood in the rain, holding an umbrella, yet the raindrops still found their way to my face.

I wasn't sure if it was rain or tears.

My voice shook as I spoke.

"But then Anna returned. And you told me I was just her replacement."

"No, Clara, that's not true!"

Soaked from head to toe, Marcus looked up at me, his face pale, his voice desperate.

"Then what is the truth?"

"She saved my life. Without her, I wouldn't be here."

His voice faltered.

I scoffed.

Men always had a reason.

I turned away, refusing to look at him.

"I can't believe I was blind enough to love you."

"Go. You will never get the company back."

I spun on my heels, walking away without hesitation.

"Clara! If you don't forgive me, I'll kneel outside your house every day until you do!"

His voice, drenched in rain, sounded unfamiliar to me.

"Then kneel until the end of time."

The day he left, I stood by my floor-to-ceiling window and lit a cigarette.

The smoke stung my throat, and without warning, tears rolled down my cheeks.

I wiped them away with the back of my hand—

But no matter how much I wiped, they wouldn't stop.

A puppet in her little play.

Did she try to kill him for love? For money?

I didn't care anymore.

The following spring, I married Brandon, the eldest son of the Wilson family.

On the day of our wedding, the sun was shining brightly.

As I turned, I spotted a familiar figure across the street.

Marcus.

He had lost so much weight, his once-proud posture now slightly hunched.

He looked nothing like the man I had first fallen for.

I heard his parents had spent every last penny to bail him out of prison.

A cigarette dangled between his fingers as he stood at a distance, watching me.

The moment our eyes met, he instinctively stomped out his cigarette.

Then, after a brief pause, he turned and drove away.

After the wedding, while sorting through gifts, I found a small, pure-white box tucked away in the corner.

I opened it—

And my heartbeat quickened.

Inside was a pair of jade bracelets.

And a note.

Written in his familiar handwriting, it read:

"Congratulations on your wedding."

"I'm sorry."

Brandon peeked over my shoulder, his tone dripping with jealousy.

"Which admirer sent this?"

Smiling, I playfully patted his head and wrapped my arms around him.

"Just some stranger."

Then, I casually tossed the note into the trash.

Marcus, your apology came too late.

(The End.)