Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 3

It was late into the night by the time she arrived in Savannah.

Vanessa returned to the house and curled up on the sofa, crying silently as memories of their past flickered through her mind.-

This property in Clearwater Cove was bought with Lucas's very first major paycheck.

He had purchased the twelve-hundred-square-foot home two years ago, putting the deed entirely in her name.

Lucas had told her how grateful he was that she had stayed by his side when he had nothing. He swore that once he made it big, he would give her the world.

He had even forcefully transferred half of his company's shares to her, completely ignoring her refusals.

He had sworn to the stars that he would never betray her.

But love was fleeting. He had cheated, shattering his vows into a million pieces.

She didn't sleep a wink. It wasn't until the first light of dawn broke over the horizon that she finally moved her stiff body and began packing.

She boxed up all of Lucas's belongings and shoved them into the storage room.

She stripped the bed, replacing the sheets and pillowcases to scrub away every lingering trace of his scent, before finally collapsing into a heavy sleep.

She didn't know how long she slept, but she jolted awake when she felt someone approach. A warm breath brushed against her ear.

"Nessa, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let my ego get the best of me yesterday. I only said those awful things to spite you."

A cloyingly sweet perfume invaded her senses, triggering a violent physical reaction. She snapped her eyes open and shoved him away. Catching sight of the glaring red hickey peeking out from his collar, she gagged uncontrollably.

He cheated out in the open and didn't even bother to clean up before crawling back.

Was he just that arrogant, or did he honestly believe she could never live without him?

Lucas's face stiffened for a fraction of a second before twisting into a mask of tender concern. "Are you feeling sick? Let me take you to the hospital."

"Ugh..."

Another wave of nausea hit her.

Lucas looked furious, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I already fired Chloe. Nobody is going to interfere with our relationship ever again."

"You actually let her go?" Vanessa looked up, her eyes dripping with sarcasm.

"She's just a meaningless assistant. Why wouldn't I?"

Vanessa's lips curled up, a look of pure mockery flashing in her eyes.

...

That afternoon, she called a real estate agent to list the house for sale.

Afterward, she drove to the company.

Over the past three years, she had occasionally dropped off lunch for Lucas. Everyone at the office knew her and knew they were tying the knot soon.

It had been three months since her last visit.

She took the elevator up, familiar with the route.

The corridor leading to the executive office was lined with thick, plush carpet, deadening the sound of her heels completely.

Her hand had barely touched the doorknob when a girl's breathy moans, paired with a man's ragged panting, filtered through the crack.

Vanessa's fingers froze, the color completely draining from her face.

Her eyes burned violently, yet she couldn't shed a single tear.