Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Stefan's POV

I was shocked to see Claudia, so early in the morning at my house. How did she get my address? I immediately called Tristan to arrive as soon as he could. I really could do with some support.

I didn't want Rosy to wake up and see Claudia. She would misinterpret the whole thing as I didn't get the opportunity to talk to her yet.

Claudia saw my face and knew I was displeased with her sudden arrival.

"Come to my study. And mind you, no drama," I growled. I strode towards my study with her following me. I closed the door and whirled around to face her.

"What brings you here Claudia? I think I made it very clear to you that we would never have anything to do with each other again?" I growled at her angrily.

"After Gregory, my husband's death, I've been feeling very depressed and lonely, Stefan. I've come back to get Arielle, my only daughter. Please give me Arielle, I'll never bother you again, " she said, shedding crocodile tears.

They angered me more. "I thought, we were very clear on this when you accepted money from my family that you would never ask for anything else. Have you forgotten the deed that you signed? You didn't want Arielle then. You just wanted the money. So what changed now?" I growled with increasing anger.

The door opened and Tristan peeped inside." I'm outside, bro," he informed me and I felt relieved.

"Keep watch Tris," I told him and he understood what I meant. I didn't want Rosy or Arielle coming in at the moment.

"Sure, bro," he said and disappeared, closing my door.

"I know what I signed but through the years I've started loving Arielle. Now I can't live without her," she said, trying to shed more tears.

"Just stop the fake tears. They have no effect on me. You have children from your marriage, don't you? Step-children?" I asked angrily. I knew she was lying. I just wanted to know the actual truth behind her coming here. She didn't care about Arielle even a tiny bit. Why she wants custody of Arielle is what I needed to find out.

"They threw me out of their house after Gregory's death," she confessed and then it became crystal clear to me why she wanted Arielle. To threaten her actual father for money.

"Aah, so you're penniless and on the streets. Right?" I asked, and the sudden realization struck me.

Claudia shook her head vehemently. "No that's not why I came here Stefan," she said, suddenly changing her tone. She suddenly clasped me tightly in her embrace and said, "Oh Stefan, I missed you so much."

I was taken aback by the suddenness of it all. When I came to my senses, I just drew her away from me by the shoulders. "Don't you dare touch me," I snarled at her with tremendous fury.

"If you have any plans of getting any money out of this, forget it. I shall never give you custody of Arielle. If you keep harassing me, I shall take all legal help to get you behind bars," I swore, vehemently.

"Please Stefan. I want to take Arielle to meet her real father," she stated, again trying to cry and make me emotionally weak.

But I wasn't giving in. I knew her too well. "Why?" I asked.

"He will accept me if he sees Arielle, " she said.

"He's already married. How would he accept you? For him, you were a one-night stand and he would never want to break his marriage. I cannot give you any rights over Arielle, Claudia. It's best that you leave," I said, turning my back to her.

"Please Stefan," she tried for the last time.

"Get out Claudia," I shouted out to her. She left and I sat down to steady myself. I had to call up my private investigator and inform him about Claudia. I wanted him to keep track of her and monitor her constantly. I didn't trust her. She was stubborn and would try again I knew. But I wouldn't let her get Arielle.

Tristan barged into my study in a rush. "Bro Anna came into the study when Claudia was with you. I tried my best to stop her, but she didn't listen to me," said Tristan and my heart stopped a beat or two as I gaped at him.

"What are you saying?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Claudia was hugging you, and she saw it. She ran upstairs to her room, crying," informed Tristan.

My breathing stopped and I rushed out of my study. Taking two steps at a time, I reached upstairs and into her room. The door was open. I checked her closet. Her clothes and handbag and most of her stuff were missing. She had left. She had misunderstood me.

I sat slumped to the floor as my heart broke into a million pieces at the realization that Rosy left me. My mind was numb. How could she leave without informing me? How could she not trust me? I wouldn't have minded if she fought with me. I wouldn't have been hurt if she yelled at me. I wouldn't have been hurt if she demanded an explanation from me. But why did she have to leave me? I sat in that position for hours, not believing that she wasn't there in my life any longer.

Wasn't I to some extent responsible for this? A small voice in my head kept on nagging me. I should have told her everything about my past. I should have told her how I felt for her.

But I was scared and now I had to pay the price.

I had no idea where she went. The only place that came to my mind was New Jersey, gran's house where her dance institute was. I decided to pursue her there. I decided to convince her of my love and bring her home.

With a newfound hope and determination, I stood up. I could hear Arielle crying for her but I really didn't have the energy to face her. It was my fault after all and I would fix this misunderstanding as early as I could.