Chapter 7 - The Ex Returns
Three days into her new life, Clara was struggling to adjust to the sheer scale of Dante’s world. She had a limitless credit card, a closet full of designer clothes she felt too insecure to wear, and a shadow named Enzo who followed her everywhere.
She was in the penthouse kitchen, finding comfort in the only thing that made sense to her: baking. She was kneading dough for focaccia when her burner phone—the only possession she had kept from her old life—buzzed on the marble counter.
She wiped her hands and looked at the screen. It was an unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Clara. It’s me.”
Clara’s blood ran cold. It was Mark.
“How did you get this number?” she demanded, gripping the counter. “You’re supposed to be in Florida.”
“Florida didn't work out,” Mark said, his voice slick and desperate. “But imagine my surprise when I saw the news. My little baker married Dante Cavallo? You really leveled up, babe.”
“Do not call me babe. We’re done, Mark. You abandoned us.”
“Yeah, well, I’m back,” Mark sneered. “And I’ve been thinking. The media thinks this is a fairytale romance. What do you think happens if I go to the tabloids and tell them you begged me to marry you the night before you suddenly eloped with a billionaire? Sounds like a sham marriage to me. Sounds like fraud.”
Clara’s heart hammered in her throat. If the marriage was exposed as a fraud, Beatrice could reopen the custody case.
“What do you want?” Clara whispered.
“Fifty grand,” Mark demanded. “Cash. Bring it to the alley behind Mario’s Bakery tonight at eight. Or I blow your new life to pieces.”
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He hung up. Clara dropped the phone, a wave of nausea washing over her. She couldn't ask Dante for the money. He would think she was a liability. She had to handle this herself.
She didn't notice the security camera blinking quietly in the corner of the ceiling. And she didn't know that Dante monitored every single incoming call to the penthouse.
