Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Chloe couldn't help but furrow her brow as she trailed behind Connor and the rest, stepping into the grand theater. The place was aglow with lights, and Chloe's gaze was instantly snagged by the stage.

There stood Claire, draped in a striking red costume. Her movements were graceful, her flowing sleeves mimicking drifting clouds, and as she sang, her voice sliced through the air like a knife, laden with haunting sorrow and melancholy. Her body swayed gently, matching the depth of lament in her voice.

Chloe wasn't well-versed in opera and had no clue what Claire's song was about. Yet, she felt every note was like a cry from the depths, echoing with an ancient

sorrow.

"... a cruel sword falls from above, tearing mother and child apart, life's gatherings and partings are unpredictable, the fickleness of the world is beyond grasp..."

Curious about Connor's reaction, Chloe stole a glance at him. Given how much he cared for Claire, the lyrics should have struck him as ironic. But Connor's face remained a mask of indifference, his eyes cold and detached, as if he were looking at a stranger.

As they entered, Claire's singing came to a halt, her eyes drifting to the entrance. Only four people had come: Kash, Chloe, Pax, and Connor. Her gaze bypassed the others, locking onto Connor.

At the sight of his face, Claire

couldn't suppress a shiver. After all these years; it was as if the mask he wore had finally been ripped away, revealing a face that increasingly mirrored her memories. Claire's heart ached, the questions swirling - why hadn't she seen it before? That familiar face had never sparked even a flicker of doubt. A single doubt might have altered their path.

As the group drew closer, Claire's appearance became clearer. Her costume was in disarray, stained with blood, and one hand was

horribly injured, bleeding profil net

Beside her lay Barrett's body dong dead, his face marred with dark bruises, painting a grim and eerie picture. The stage was a mess of thin wires and dark red bloodstains, the air heavy with the stench of decay.

No one knew what horrors had unfolded here, but it was evident Claire had been through hell.

Pax was the first to bolt onto the stage. His eyes filled with tears as he took in the sight of Claire's mangled hand. "Mom, who did this to you?" To Pax, despite any sins Claire had committed, she was still his mother. She'd never wronged him, even with her strictness, and there were times of genuine warmth. Pax loved her deeply; the world might scorn her, but he couldn't.

Yet Claire seemed oblivious to Pax's words. Her gaze stayed fixed on Connor, her body shaking uncontrollably. Suddenly, she moved forward, clutching Connor's hand. She had so much to say, yet the words were stuck, unable to escape.noveldrama

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she whispered, each word like a razor blade, slicing through her throat as she forced them out.