Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 62: Exposed

The article was insane, each word feeling like a dagger to Clara's heart. There, in glaring bold letters, was her entire life laid bare for the world to judge:

"Clara Miller (18), formerly engaged to Henry Caldwell Jr. (19), had her engagement abruptly dissolved under mysterious circumstances. Sources claim that Adrian Belfort (38), a billionaire in the luxury jewelry business and Clara's step-uncle, paid the Caldwell family a staggering sum of twenty-three million dollars to end the engagement. Just days later, Belfort and Miller were married in a private, hush-hush ceremony in Lake Como."

Her eyes scanned over the images-pictures of her with Henry, smiling at some gala event. They looked happy, a perfect young couple... and then more pictures, this time of her and Adrian exiting the church. Paparazzi had managed to capture the most private moments of her life, splashing them across tabloids for the world to see.

"Rumors are swirling about the nature of the relationship between Belfort and Miller, with some questioning the legitimacy of their sudden union given the financial exchange between the families."

Clara's hands trembled as she scrolled, nausea rising in her stomach. She felt exposed, like her life had been cracked open for strangers to poke and prod. The world was gossiping about her, dissecting her choices, the age difference between her and Adrian, and the scandal surrounding their sudden marriage.

Her throat tightened as if the air had thickened around her. She wanted to cry, to bury her face and hide away from the prying eyes, but there was no escaping it. She wondered how many more photographers were lurking, waiting to catch her in another vulnerable moment, to sell her pain to the highest bidder.

Clara could barely hold herself together.

Adrian arrived home and didn't see Clara anywhere. Concerned, he asked one of the maids, "Where's my wife?"

The maid answered politely, "Mrs. Belfort wasn't feeling well, sir. She went to the bedroom to rest."

Adrian frowned slightly, heading toward their bedroom. When he entered, he found Clara under the blankets, the curtains drawn, and the air conditioning running cold. She looked small and quiet, curled up in the large bed. Jokingly, Adrian asked, "Tired of the view of the Aegean Sea already? I could have a new landscape built just for you."

Clara managed a weak smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Her sadness was palpable.

Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, his expression softening with concern. "What's going on, Clara?"

With a heavy sigh, she finally spoke. "Several tabloids are talking about our wedding... there are pictures of us leaving the church. They're everywhere." Her voice was shaky, her vulnerability showing through.

Adrian inhaled deeply, his jaw tightening. He didn't like being caught off guard, especially when it came to something that concerned Clara. He leaned forward slightly, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "I'll have all the articles taken down. Don't worry," he said with a steely edge to his voice.

Clara shifted slightly under the blankets, her voice trembling as she continued, "The articles also mentioned my engagement to Henry... some are speculating about me being pregnant, and..." she hesitated before the last part, "some said you paid twenty-three million dollars to the Caldwells."

Adrian's face stilled, the silence between them thickening. Clara, already sensing the truth, searched his expression, her heart sinking. "Adrian," she whispered, "is that true?"

He hesitated but then nodded. "Yes, it's true."

Clara's eyes widened in shock. She had assumed he had negotiated the fines, found some way out without giving in to outrageous demands. But he had literally paid twenty-three million dollars just to free her from that nightmare with the Caldwells. A flood of emotions hit her at once-gratitude, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of how much Adrian had done for her.

Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face against his chest, her tears flowing freely. "I can't believe you did that for me," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

Adrian's arms circled her gently. "It's okay," he murmured against her hair, stroking her back. "Twenty-three million dollars is nothing to me. I've already made the money back since we got married."

Clara pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes and letting out a soft, incredulous laugh. "Sometimes I forget you're an actual billionaire," she said, half-joking, half-serious. She paused, her tone softening. "But... you didn't have to keep this from me, Adrian. You could've told me."

Adrian looked at her, his thumb brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. "I didn't want you to worry about things like that," he said simply, his voice firm but tender.

Clara pulled back slightly, looking up at Adrian with a seriousness that wasn't there moments before. "I don't want to be kept in the dark anymore, Adrian," she said, her voice wavering but determined. "My father... he kept so many secrets from me. He always told me everything was fine, that he knew what he was doing. And look where it got me." Her eyes filled with fresh pain, remembering how her father had practically sold her life to the Caldwells. "I don't want things to be like that with us. When it comes to my life, I want you to tell me everything."

Adrian listened carefully, his expression softening. He nodded, the weight of her words settling on him. "I promise, Clara. I'll keep things clear between us. No more secrets."

For a moment, silence fell between them. Then something seemed to dawn on Adrian, a look of realization crossing his face. He frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he pieced something together. "Wait," he murmured. Clara looked at him, confused. "What is it?"

Adrian leaned back, his expression turning grim. "I think I know who sold the information to the tabloids."

Clara's heart skipped a beat. "Who?"

Adrian hesitated for a second before answering. "The only person who knew about the exact amount of money paid to the Caldwells, besides us... was your father."