ABANDONED WITH TRIPLETS: CLAIMED BY THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

The rain was pouring again over Manhattan, mirroring the night my nightmare had begun seven months ago.

Outside the towering glass facade of Sterling Headquarters on Fifth Avenue, Ethan Mercer stood drenched, shivering, his clothes soaked through to the skin. Two armed security guards stood impassively at the revolving doors, barring his entry.

The black Maybach pulled up to the curb.

The umbrella opened, and Nicholas stepped out, extending his hand to assist me. I stepped onto the pavement wearing a tailored ivory wool coat, looking radiant, strong, and unshakeable.

"Claire! Claire, please!"

Ethan broke past the perimeter line, throwing himself onto the wet pavement at my feet.

"Claire, look at me!" Ethan wept, clawing at the hem of my coat. "I made a mistake! Sabrina took everything and fled to Mexico! The FBI is waiting at my apartment! I’m going to prison for ten years unless you drop the fraud charges!"

I looked down at him. There was no anger left in my heart. No resentment. Only a profound, liberating pity.

"You told me that night on Park Avenue that I would land somewhere," I said, my voice steady and clear. "You said I always do."

Ethan looked up through the rain, his eyes pleading desperately. "Claire, please... think of our five years together! Think of our history!"

"Our history ended when you walked away from three innocent lives fighting for breath in a storm," I replied coldly. "You didn't care if they lived or died, Ethan. You only care about yourself."

Two federal agents stepped out from an unmarked sedan behind him, holding handcuffs.

"Ethan Mercer, you are under arrest for federal securities fraud, grand larceny, and corporate embezzlement," an agent announced, hauling Ethan roughly to his feet.

"Claire! Don't do this! Claire!" Ethan screamed as the handcuffs clicked tightly around his wrists.

I didn't turn around to watch them drag him into the back of the police car.

Nicholas reached out, his warm fingers interlacing with mine. "Are you alright?"