At 27, Clara Torres is one of the top prosecutors in the DA's office. She is beautiful, brilliant, and unstoppable in the courtroom. But beneath the sharp suits and flawless arguments lies a past too heavy to carry.

Years ago, she made one reckless choice. One unforgettable night with her high school rival, the dangerously charming Ethan Ashford, and nothing has ever been the same. She has tried to bury the memory and it's consequences, but some secrets refuse to stay hidden. 

Now Ethan is back, determined to claim her heart no matter the cost. But Clara's walls are high, and the shadows of their shared past are too dark. 

Will he break her walls, or will the secrets she guards destroy them both?

At the Ashford estate, the family gathered around the long, polished dining table, soft classical music playing in the background. The tension in the room was anything but soft.


Ethan sat at the edge of the table, composed and precise. To his left, his mother, Margaret Ashford, watched him with a mixture of pride and expectation, while Robert, his father, surveyed the room with a calm but probing gaze.


Axel, Ethan's younger brother, was always at ease, chatting mindlessly..


Margaret smiled warmly. "So, Ethan, when exactly is the wedding? We're all eager to celebrate."


Ethan's reply was short, careful. "Next week."


Robert nodded. "Good. We trust you know what you're doing."


Margaret gave a soft laugh. "It's time, son. A wife will bring stability, and many grandchildren."


Ethan's eyes met his mother's. "The arrangements are underway. I'll handle everything. The focus is on making sure she feels at home."


Axel piped up enthusiastically, "You have to take her to your office, Ethan! Show her the new project design. She'll love it."


Margaret agreed with Axiel, "Yes, let her see what the family does."


Ethan's voice softened just a bit. "I'll think about it."


Robert glanced at Ethan sharply. "Are you sure she's ready for all this?"


Ethan's tone held no doubt. "She'll adapt."


The conversation shifted, touching on business, future plans, and the subtle undercurrents of family expectations. Yet beneath the polite words, an unspoken understanding lingered: Axel's place in this was delicate. 


Later, as the family gathered in the drawing room, Ethan stood by the window, looking out but not really seeing.


Margaret approached quietly. "You've always been a hard man to read, Ethan. But this time, I think you're doing the right thing."


Ethan didn't reply immediately. Instead, he glanced down at his phone, then back to the room, where Axiel was now playing quietly with a model airplane.


Margaret's voice softened. "She's lucky to have you."


Axiel looked up and caught Ethan's gaze. A small smile flickered between them…a silent promise. 


Chapter 13 - She is Lucky to have you