Chapter 15
Claire grew up in the north, but her love for the south pulled her to Finley’s city for college.
They met at university–he was student council president, she was his vice. The first time she saw him, he was in a crisp white shirt, standing in the rain, recruiting new members. Just one look, and her heart was gone.
To be closer to him, she worked harder, pushed herself further. She knew other girls hovered around him, but she stayed in the background, loving him quietly.
From the start, it was always him. Seven years chasing his light.
He only started seeing her after Renee was out of the picture.
When they got married, Claire had smiled up at him, hopeful. “Finley, I want to see the ocean. I’ve never seen it before. Let’s go to the Maldives for our honeymoon, okay? I heard the water’s so blue there.”
But he hadn’t loved her. Not then.
He married her to fill the void Renee left behind. Nothing more.
On their anniversary, she tried again. “Finley, I really want to see the ocean. When will you take me?”
She could’ve gone on her own. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to go with him, wanted to believe he cared enough to make it happen.
He never did. Brushed her off. Acted like it didn’t matter.
Now, staring at the news, he whispered, “The Maldives. She really went to the Maldives. Alone.”
She was done waiting. That’s why she went without him.
Finley had no time to waste. The second he had Claire’s location, he threw clothes into a bag and headed for the airport.
Just as he stepped out, Megan appeared, eyes red and swollen.
