15 My father's large frame shuddered; even his bent back straightened for a moment. When he turned and looked at me, his face was streaked with tears. In that instant, I understood. Without my title as Clint's wife, I was not lacking for love. 'Is that... Soleil?" he choked. 'Dad, it's me. I'm home." I answered, and he sobbed until he was nothing but a tear-soaked heap. brushed the white at his temples with my fingertips, unable to hide my pity. With a look, I signaled Alec and Marley to leave. I stayed and talked with my father for a long ime. Afraid of upsetting him, I chose to share only good news and kept the bad-my divorce-unsaid or now. Midway through our conversation, when we were both in high spirits, Dad's face lit up at a phone all. I'm going out to fetch someone," he said happily. My chest tightened; I already had a bad feeling about who it might be. When Clint's face appeared, I felt disgust for the first time-disgust at his intrusive presence, at is inexplicable clinging, at the fact that he had no right to still be in my life. ven the face I had once never tired of now seemed only repulsive. had feared, when I left, the backlash of old emotions-afraid I might not be able to stop myself om missing him, afraid I couldn't break free from my old life. ut the moment I saw him again, I knew I had graduated from being his wife. had reclaimed my place as the Bellemares's heiress. he one who hadn't moved on was Clint. le stood before me with red eyes, and the air at home dropped to an icy silence. My father, who had expected a joyful reunion, read the embarrassment on my face; his smile anished, and he fell silent. What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone edged with hostility. Soleil... it was my fault before," he said, voice hoarse. "Can you... give me another chance?" I Another chance for what?" I replied, my gaze cold. "To keep hurting you until your wounds are ›eyond repair?" used to swallow every grievance because I was his wife-because I thought endless concessions were the price of a marriage between powerful families. But those concessions had only fed his certainty that he could act without consequence. Clint's voice broke. There was no longer the proud hauteur of a wealthy CEO. He was almost like an abandoned pet, tail between his legs, begging. "Please give me a chance to change, okay? I can't live without you." How familiar those words sounded-yet somehow more pathetic than before. "Is that so?" I said. "Then, go die." Half of that cruelty was sincere; the other half came from the disbelief that he'd ever truly love me enough to die for me. He didn't love me that much. He certainly didn't dare. I took my father's hand, motioned for Alec to wheel me away, and let the housekeeper see our guests out. "Wait!" Clint called after us. "Soleil, there's one more thing I have to show you!"