Dimitri immediately ran toward the house when he heard Clara shouting. As he entered, he saw her placing his phone on the table, her expression irritated and sad.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked, trying to hide his panic. Shit! He shouldn't have brought his phone.

“Damon. That bastard actually called me his wife after what he did! I’m sure your mother’s awake—that’s why he suddenly changed his tune—but I don’t care. I hate him!” she screamed. Despite her words, Dimitri saw hurt and longing in her eyes. She clearly loved Damon, and his willingness to protect her, despite not knowing the truth, showed his love for her as well.

Dimitri disliked interfering in his brother's happiness, especially since he'd never seen Damon like this. But to help him, he had to proceed.

"Did you tell him where we are?" he asked, pocketing the phone.

"No, of course not. I don't want to see him," she replied. He sighed with relief.

"Okay. He won't find us here. I'm the only one who knows about this place. I brought you food," he said, waving a plastic bag. This didn't improve her mood.

"I'm not hungry," she said. He rolled his eyes.

"You may not be, but your nephew or niece is, and I won't let them get hurt because their mother is heartbroken. Sit down and eat," he ordered. She pouted before sitting at the dining table.

He served the food and watched her eat. She claimed not to be hungry, but she devoured her plate in minutes.

"Can I ask you something, Clara?" he asked. She nodded slowly.

"As long as it's not about Damon. Are you going to eat that?" she asked innocently, making him chuckle.

"I thought you weren't hungry?" he said. She pouted.

"I'm not, but the baby is," she replied, and he smiled, serving her more food.

"Eat as much as you want. I'm not hungry," he told her.

"So… do you know anything about your background, Clara?" he asked. She shook her head.

"I never found out. Why?"

"Nothing really. I'm just curious why you don't have a last name. Why didn't you take your ex's surname?" She shrugged. "They didn't accept me as their daughter, so why would I take their name?" That made sense.

"So you were never curious about your past? Why you were left outside your ex-pack's gate at six years old, with no memories? No recollection whatsoever?" She stopped eating, frowning.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in my life?" she asked, confused.

"Because you're my brother's wife and the mother of my nephew or niece. Is it wrong to want to know more about you? I want to know why my brother loves you," he said. She scoffed.

"Love? Didn't you see how quickly he abandoned me and his children? How is that love? He promised not to hurt me again, not to make me cry, but it seems that's what he does best," she said, tears welling up.

He stood and wrapped his arms around her. "Hush now, why are you crying?" he asked softly, patting her back.

"Because I love him so much, Dimitri. So much it hurts. Despite what he did, I still miss him so much," she murmured, crying. He held her silently, guilt rising in his heart. Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org

He didn't want to hurt Clara; she was a good woman, someone any man would be lucky to have. If he'd met her first, he knew he would have fallen for her easily.

After a while, she stopped crying. He took her to a room, watching her until she fell asleep. Even asleep, she cried.

Fuck, had he broken her with his lie?

He sighed, leaving the room and closing the door. He took out his phone. Clara had switched it off, which was good; Damon wouldn't be able to track them. He knew he was risking everything by turning it back on, but he needed to make this call. Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org

He turned the phone on, found the number, and dialed.

"Any progress?" the other person asked.

"Going great, you?" Dimitri replied sarcastically. The man scoffed.

"I haven't got time for your antics, Dimitri. What's the update?" Dimitri's tone turned serious. Content belongs to NovelDrama.Org

"I've got the girl. She's with me. Shall we move to the next phase?" The man hummed in agreement.

"Good. Text me the address, and I'll take it from there." He hung up. That bastard was as cold as ever.

"Who was that, and what do you mean, 'you've got the girl'?" Clara's voice made him freeze.

He turned, his eyes widening at her angry frown.

"You better start talking before I start throwing hands, Dimitri."