The Secret Claire Was Forced to Keep
Chapter 02 - The Secret Claire Was Forced to Keep
Claire led Daniel and Emma into a private sitting room away from the reception. She locked the door, then immediately opened it again, as if the sound reminded her of what she had done to her daughter.
Emma sat beside Daniel on the sofa, still holding his hand.
Claire explained that Emma was born during her first marriage. Her former husband, Mark, had been charming in public and controlling in private. After their divorce, Claire received custody, but Mark kept using threats and lawyers to frighten her before disappearing overseas.
When Claire met Daniel, she intended to tell him everything. But before she found the courage, Daniel’s mother, Vivian Mercer, discovered the truth.
Vivian considered Claire unsuitable for the Mercer family. She warned that Daniel’s inheritance and position in the family company depended on a “respectable marriage without complications.” Then she showed Claire copies of sealed custody records and promised to send them to Mark’s attorney if Claire revealed Emma before the wedding.
“She told me Mark would come back and take her,” Claire said. “She said you would choose your family and your company over us.”
Daniel’s expression hardened. “Why would you believe that?”
“Because every time your mother insulted me, you said she only needed time.”
The truth struck him. By avoiding conflict with Vivian, he had made Claire feel alone.
Claire had arranged for Emma to stay with a trusted nanny during the ceremony. That morning, Vivian changed the plan. She claimed reporters were outside and ordered Emma placed in the unused room until the reception ended. Claire obeyed because Vivian threatened to call Mark immediately.
“I thought it would be one hour,” Claire whispered. “Then I was going to take Emma and leave.”
Emma looked at her mother. “You said Daniel didn’t know about me.”
Claire covered her mouth, ashamed. “He didn’t.”
Daniel stood and walked to the window. Betrayal pressed against his chest from every direction. Claire had hidden a child from him. Vivian had manipulated them both. And he had been too comfortable to notice the fear beneath Claire’s smile.
His phone rang. It was Vivian, asking why the newlyweds had not entered the ballroom.
Daniel answered on speaker.
“Bring Claire downstairs,” Vivian said. “And make sure the child stays where she belongs.”
Emma’s fingers tightened around Daniel’s hand.
He looked at Claire, then at the closed ballroom doors across the hall.
“Where she belongs?” Daniel repeated.
May you like
Vivian went silent.
Daniel’s voice remained calm. “We’re coming downstairs together.”
