Chapter 10 - The Regret In The Hallway
An hour later, the luxury hotel corridor was quiet again, the bright chandelier lights reflecting off the polished marble floors.
Eleanor Sterling and Evelyn Dupont had been escorted out through the service elevator by federal marshals to avoid the waiting press.
Marcus stood beside Claire near the gray industrial vacuum cleaner, the subtle American flag pin on his gray suit glinting softly.
“I’m so sorry, Claire,” Marcus whispered, his eyes filled with profound sorrow as he looked down at her dark green uniform.
“I should have searched for you six months ago. I should have known my mother was capable of doing something so cruel.”
Claire looked at the man she had loved, seeing the genuine pain and remorse etched into his broad, square-jawed face.
“You were blinded by your family’s empire, Marcus,” Claire said softly, her voice free of bitterness, but grounded in reality.
“You spent your whole life believing your mother was protecting you, when she was only protecting her money.”
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“What happens now?” Marcus asked, taking a hesitant step closer to her, his fingers reaching out to brush a stray brown hair from her face.
“Now, I go back to Ohio to help my father rebuild his business,” Claire answered, gently stepping back out of his reach.
