The Art of Deception
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- Parts 1
"Everyone thinks you're dangerous."
Claude Alastin smiled.
"And what do you think, Miss Claire?"
Vivian didn't answer.
Because the most dangerous person in the room wasn't him.
Claude Alastin was a man feared by both the business world and the underworld. A respected CEO beneath the daylight and a ruthless king once the sun disappeared.
People called him a monster.
They weren't wrong.
But monsters are easy to identify.
The truly terrifying ones hide behind kind smiles and innocent eyes.
Vivian Claire is one of the country's most successful lawyers. Brilliant. Elegant. Untouchable.
At least, that's what everyone believes.
What nobody knows is that darkness has lived inside her for as long as she can remember.
A darkness that watches.
Waits.
Whispers.
While Claude is feared by the world, Vivian is feared by herself.
One hides his sins in the shadows.
The other hides hers behind a smile.
Their story begins with obsession.
It ends with a truth neither of them sees coming.
Because sometimes the devil isn't the man covered in blood.
Sometimes it's the woman standing beside him, pretending not to enjoy the sight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tell me something, Vivian."
"What?"
"If you knew exactly what I am... would you still stay?"
Vivian smiled.
"The real question is, Claude..."
"If you knew exactly what I am... would you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You look at me like I'm the villain."
Claude laughed.
"Aren't you?"
Vivian asked.
Claude took a step closer.
"Am I?"
Neither of them knew they were asking the wrong question.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was never the victim.
She was the one writing the story.
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