Chapter 2

“Claire,” Nathan said coldly, “you shouldn’t be dragging Carol into this.”

“You made this mess, and you should take responsibility for it.”

His gaze shifted to Carol’s stomach, and for a moment, his expression softened into something that almost looked like grief.

He was blaming me for her miscarriage.

Did he really love children that much?

A pang of pain shot through my chest as memories flooded back.

We had once had a child, too.

Back when he went missing during a mountain hike, I had spent days searching for him. I fell during the search, tumbling down a slope, and woke up covered in blood. I’d lost the baby that day.

When I found him, alive and well, he held me and cried his heart out, swearing he would never let me go.

Now, it seemed he’d forgotten all of it.

The tension in the room was broken by the arrival of someone unexpected—a man with sharp features and gold-rimmed glasses.

“Elliot?” I said, startled.

He nodded at me. “I’ve brought the detection equipment from the lab.”

The lead officer wasted no time. “Good. This is serious. We’ll conduct a full-scale search.”

“What does that mean?” Carol asked, confused.

The officers ignored her, moving quickly to coordinate the operation. They began sweeping the area, starting with my apartment and extending outward in a radius. Even Carol’s home was included in the search.

Nathan pulled me aside, his voice low and accusatory.

“What kind of job do you have, Claire? What’s so important about this ‘missing item’ that it warrants this kind of manhunt?”

I stared at him, my voice flat.

“It’s classified. What was stolen is deadly. If you don’t want to die, I suggest you find it.”

Carol scoffed, cutting in. “If it’s so dangerous, wouldn’t stealing it make you even guiltier?”

Her words seemed to bolster Nathan’s confidence.

“She’s got a point,” he said, his expression hardening.

Neither of them believed me. They were so caught up in their lies that they couldn’t see the truth staring them in the face.

The search lasted all night, but Elliot eventually packed up his equipment, shaking his head.

“There’s no trace of it,” he said. “It’s likely still sealed in its lead container. Let’s hope no one is stupid enough to open it.”

The lead officer sighed. “Well, that’s... something, at least.”

Carol’s tense expression melted into relief.

“See?” she said smugly. “Nothing’s missing. Someone’s just trying to cover their tracks.”

Nathan nodded in agreement. “The surveillance footage is clear. There’s only one suspect here.”

The room fell silent.

Elliot placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “The lab has decided to pursue this. Don’t worry—we’ll clear your name.”

I nodded, grateful for his support.

But it didn’t matter.

As the person responsible for the missing material, I was now the prime suspect.

Carol and Nathan were practically glowing with satisfaction when the officers informed me that I’d be taken into custody.

“Are you happy now?” I asked, looking directly at them.

Carol lifted her chin, her voice dripping with arrogance. “The person who killed my baby is finally getting what she deserves. Of course I’m happy.”

“And you?” I said, turning to Nathan.

“Does it matter what I think?” he spat. “Did you care about my feelings when you caused Carol’s miscarriage?”

His eyes, once filled with love, were now cold and filled with hatred.

For a moment, I wavered, remembering the man who had once fought for me, defended me, loved me with everything he had.

But that man was gone.

I lowered my gaze, steeling myself.

If they wanted to ruin me, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Before handing in my phone, I made a few quick adjustments.

Elliot raised an eyebrow. “Making your move?”

I smiled. “If I don’t fight back now, I’ll be nothing but a punching bag.”

I uploaded a detailed timeline of everything—our relationship, their betrayal, and the missing material—to every major social media platform.

If they wanted war, I’d give them one.