---- Chapter 5 Claire' s POV: Gabriel finally noticed me standing there, a silent statue amidst the chaos. He quickly schooled his features, the raw panic replaced by a cool, measured anger. He strode over to me, his voice a low, accusatory hiss. "What did you do? You know you shouldn' t have pushed her, Claire. Not in her condition." Before | could even process his baseless accusation, a man in a tuxedo bustled through the crowd. "Wonderful news! The judges just called. Aria' s piece, 'Tempest,' has made it to the final round! They say it' s the clear frontrunner for the grand prize!" A flash of genuine, unadulterated joy lit up Gabriel' s face. It was a radiant, unrestrained delight | hadn' t seen in all five years of our marriage. Not on our wedding day, not when |' d written the song that launched his production company into the stratosphere, not ever. His happiness was reserved solely for her success. The irony was so thick | could have choked on it. | looked at him, my voice barely a whisper, but sharp enough to cut through his elation. "Doesn' t that painting look ---- familiar to you, Gabriel?" His body went rigid for a split second before he relaxed, waving a dismissive hand. "Don' t be ridiculous, Claire. It' s just a coincidence. Artists have similar styles sometimes. You know that." A bitter laugh escaped my lips. | didn' t say another word. | didn't need to. | knew. | knew he had gone to my storage unit, the one he had the only other key to, and taken it. He had stolen a piece of my soul and gifted it to her, just like he' d done with my music. That painting was supposed to be my anniversary gift to him this year, a symbol of how we' d weathered our own storms. Our entire marriage was a storm, and | had been the only one trying to keep the ship from sinking, while he was drilling holes in the hull. "You' re right," | said, my voice eerily calm, my lips curving into a smile that felt alien on my face. "You' re absolutely right." He seemed relieved by my acquiescence, quickly suggesting we leave. "Let's get you out of here. You need to relax." "| have a better idea," | said, my smile never wavering. "Let 's go to the marina now. We can take the yacht out, just like we planned. We can watch the sunrise." In the car, he chattered on about our future, about the house we'd buy in the country, about the children we' d have. It was ---- all a performance, a soothing lullaby meant to lull me back into my gilded cage. | stared out the window, the city lights blurring into meaningless streaks. None of it mattered anymore. His phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through his hollow promises. He glanced at the screen, and his jaw tightened. His brow furrowed with that same look of deep concern he' d had at the party. "|... | have to take this," he stammered, his eyes avoiding mine. | knew who it was. | didn' t need to see the name on the screen. Only Aria could make him look like that. "Go ahead," | said, my voice flat. "Handle your business. |' Il go on ahead to the yacht. |' Il wait for you there." He looked torn, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. "Claire, |..." "It's fine, Gabriel," | said, cutting him off. "Go. She needs you." | didn' t wait for his reply. | got out of the car and walked toward the docks, the salty air cold against my face. | didn't look back. | knew, with absolute certainty, that he wouldn't be following me. His choice had already been made. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!