“She’s My Wife on Paper, Nothing More” — The Crime Lord Laughed… Not Knowing She Heard Every Word
Chapter 9
The final confrontation took place at the Blackwood docks.
Thomas had gathered his remaining men.
He intended to escape by river.
Clara arrived with Lucian.
The dock was surrounded.
Thomas laughed.
“You think you can defeat me?”
Lucian stepped forward.
“No.”
Thomas smiled.
“Finally, some honesty.”
“I don’t need to defeat you.”
Lucian pointed toward the road.
“Everyone you’ve betrayed is waiting.”
Thomas turned.
Magistrates.
Guards.
Farmers.
Merchants.
Former employees.
They had gathered because Clara had distributed copies of the ledger.
Thomas’s face changed.
“You.”
He looked at Clara.
“You gave them the evidence.”
“Yes.”
“You’re my sister.”
“I know.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I did.”
Thomas froze.
“For too long.”
He raised his pistol.
Lucian stepped in front of Clara.
Thomas fired.
The shot struck Lucian in the chest.
Clara screamed.
Lucian fell.
Thomas ran.
But he didn’t get far.
Elias tackled him.
The magistrates arrested him.
Clara dropped beside Lucian.
Blood covered his shirt.
“Lucian.”
He opened his eyes.
“You’re crying.”
“Don’t you dare joke.”
“I thought you hated me.”
“I did.”
He smiled faintly.
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Because now I know you don’t.”
He passed out.
Clara held him until the physician arrived.
For three days, she refused to leave his side.
On the fourth morning, Lucian opened his eyes.
She was asleep beside him.
He whispered:
“Clara.”
Her eyes opened immediately.
“You’re alive.”
“So it seems.”
She smiled.
Then she began crying.
Lucian reached for her.
“I meant what I said.”
“About what?”
“Everything.”
