Chapter 17 97 BECKLEY'S POV I woke up to men barging into my office , slamming a tablet on my desk . One of them said , " Boss , she is not Claire . " They shoved the screen at me and it was all clean files and press clippings and a glossy social profile : Kendall Scott , public daughter of Helena Montgomery . My throat went dry and I paced the room like a caged idiot . " So why the hell does she look like Claire ? She wasn't my wife but why did my heart do this stupid thing every time I thought of her ?" One of the guys pointed at the photos , zooming in for me . He said , " Look at this , sir . Small detail most people miss . " He tapped the screen , and there it was , tiny and stupid and painfully familiar : a star - shaped birthmark on the nape , and another mole on the arm . My brain skipped , then crashed . I remembered Claire's star ! Fuck , yeah ! I remembered that mole . I needed to see it with my own eyes . I needed to know I wasn't hallucinating . I told them to pack . " Ready the jet . Now . " Then Fresca was blowing up my phone but I didn't pick up . I ignored her . She could wait . Nothing mattered except that tiny star and the possibility that the universe was either crueler or kinder than I imagined . The jet landed , the sedan waited , and I moved like a man who had rehearsed revenge in a mirror a thousand times . The gallery was quiet , soft lights and that smell of art - sweat and perfume . I spotted her before she saw me , standing in front of some painting like she had no idea the world had been flipping over for her . Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned , and there she was : Helena Montgomery , all smiles and that cold polite face that belonged in boardrooms and tabloids . " You look haunted . " " You always knew how to throw a crowd . " " This rising star , Kendall Scott . Was she Claire ? " I said it bluntly , and she tilted her head like she had just heard the most absurd joke . She laughed , a small practiced sound . " Careful what you ask for . " I went for blood . " Listen to me , Helena . I'm not a man who enjoys being toyed with . That face- she looked like the woman who died . Tell me straight . Was she your Chapter 17 2/3 59.5 % 9:06 Thu , Oct 16 B : daughter or was she Claire under a different name ?" 97 " People change faces , Mr. Huntman . People reinvent the past . " Her smile sharpened . " Come to the gala tonight . Meet her properly . See with your own eyes . " See with my own eyes . I wanted to scream No , you son of a- and maybe I did , inside my head . But out loud I said , " Fine . I'll be there . " The gala hurt . It was all glitter and lenses and the city's best pretending to be breathless . Cameras swung toward me as if the whole room was tuned to my heartbeat . I found a corner like a predator , scanning for the star . Then she walked in . Black dress , the kind of quiet that made the loudest people hush . She turned and the collar of that dress slid and I saw it ... a faint pale star - shaped scar at the nape of her neck . My breath stopped . For a stupid , sacred second I forgot to be anything but a man who had found proof . Claire ! It's really her . I took two steps and my body wanted to launch . My hand reached out before my brain clocked the risk . A guard intercepted me , big and polite in the wrong way . I tasted blood in my mouth from the sudden rush of adrenaline and confusion . She was smiling at Kendrick like it was a private joke , and my stomach twisted because she looked bored and beautiful and so nonchalant about breaking me . Helena appeared at my side , soft as silk . " See ? She is not Claire . If she were , she would have run to you . She would have thrown herself into your arms at first sight . " ..... CLAIRE'S POV The moment I saw him almost reach for me and Helena slip right in between , I laughed inside . Once upon a time , I would have died for Beckley Huntman's touch . I would have bled myself dry to keep his love . Now disgust crawls under my skin like a living thing . I knew this would happen the second that teaser dropped online . Of course he'd come . Of course he couldn't stand me free . But I'm not that woman anymore . I am not afraid . I have my name back . My freedom . My power . Backstage , I smoothed my dress , pulse hammering . Helena's eyes found mine , sharp as broken glass though her voice was a hush . " He will push until you bleed , child . He doesn't let go . He never did . " Chapter 17 213 59.5 % 9:06 Thu , Oct 16 G ... 97 I held her gaze . " Then he's about to learn what it's like to hold on to a ghost . Even if he crawls , even if he sobs , I'll never forgive him . Never again . " Her palm brushed my cheek , a flicker of softness . " Good . And remember .. it's not your war alone . I'm here now . " " I know , Mum . " She drifted back into the crowd like a queen reclaiming her court . I slipped out into the cooler air of the hall , my breath like knives . And of course , that's when it happened . Beckley cornered me at last . His presence swallowed the space before his voice did . " Claire . " His voice was a wound , raw and certain . I turned slowly , my face calm , my eyes steady . " Who are you ? " He stepped closer , his jaw taut . " Don't do this . I'm your husband . Beckley Huntman . The man you married . " I tilted my head , almost pitying him . " Excuse me , sir ? I'm not a married woman . Do you see a ring on my finger ? No. And unless I've lost my mind , you're Beckley Huntman- billionaire CEO , husband to Fresca Huntman , father to a son . So why are you calling me your wife ? Do I look like Fresca to you ? " His hand shot out , iron on my arm , thumb pressing hard enough to bruise . He jabbed at the mole there , his eyes wild . " This mole . And the birthmark on your neck . You're Claire . Don't you dare lie to me . " Before I could rip my arm free , Kendrick slid into the space like a blade in a sheath , " Well , well . If it isn't Huntman . Still mistaking women for property ? " " Leave , Kendrick . THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND MY WIFE . " Kendrick barked a laugh , sharp as shattered glass . " Wife ? Which one ? Not every beautiful woman in this room wants your collar around her throat , Huntman ." Beckley's grip tightened . " Move , Savatier , or I swear I'll- " I cut through his threat , " Baby ... " I turned into Kendrick , eyes wide , body close , like I was falling into him . " This man is harassing me . I'm scared . " Beckley froze at that word . ' Baby . ' It hit him like a bullet . His mouth parted , but nothing came out . Chapter 17