Chapter 46: The Baker and the Cream Cake
The world outside the bedroom no longer existed. The heavy velvet curtains were drawn shut, and the only light came from a small bedside lamp that cast long, dancing shadows against the walls. Clara, Lukas, and Pascale lay stretched across the giant bed, buried in a sea of soft pillows.
Clara clung tightly to Bruno—a plush toy that looked like it had survived more wars than most nation-states. One ear was missing, his fur was completely matted, and though he had originally been a koala, he now looked more like a botched rat. Yet, he was her final, unshakable anchor to a time before fear had become her constant companion.
"What are you going to do now, Clara?" Lukas asked softly. He propped his head up on his hand, watching her closely.
Clara stared at the ceiling, her eyes still red and swollen from crying. "I'm still thinking... whether I should finally tell him the whole truth... or if I should just disappear again. Change my name. Start all over from scratch."
Lukas let out a scoff. "No, babe, I'm not talking about your usual emotional chaos. I mean: when are we finally replacing this ugly rat with a nice plush toy? How about a cute little kitten? We'll name her Rachel, and we'll share custody. Bruno looks like he served in the war—and lost. And seriously, Clara, he smells like farts."
A faint, genuine smile crept onto Clara's lips. Lukas was unbelievable. He actually managed to debate the scent profile of a stuffed koala during the darkest moments of her life. "He's a koala, Lukas. And he's the only one who didn't talk when I had to run away. He keeps all my secrets."
"Well, Bruno is discreet, I'll give him that," Lukas admitted, rolling onto his back with a smirk.
Clara turned her head to the other side where Pascale lay. "Tell me... did you guys actually threaten Min-ho earlier? I know you. I know exactly how much you love playing the bad guys whenever you get the chance."
The corners of Pascale's mouth twitched. He instantly burst into a grin but tried to force a serious face right after. "Meee? I'm not even capable of being mean! Lukas is the bad guy. What do you say to that, brother?"
Lukas chuckled softly. "Well, I'd say that for a moment, Min-ho genuinely thought we had highly dangerous mafia connections in Berlin. Either way, he became very, very quiet on the phone."
Pascale nodded proudly. "So, I'm definitely giving us a ten out of ten for our acting skills."
Clara let out a deep sigh, but it was a liberated, relieved sigh. "Oh Luki, Pascalli, my two treasures... I am so incredibly grateful to have you." She paused for a moment, the smile fading from her face. "But I don't want this anymore. I don't want to live in constant fear. I don't want to hide anymore."
With a sudden movement, she sat up. Her eyes, which had been full of tears just moments ago, suddenly flashed with raw determination. "I'm going to hold a press conference. I'll invite everyone—the publishers, the media... and Min-ho. I will explain myself to the world. If my ex-husband wants to find me, let him come. I'm not living in the shadows anymore. I want to be Ariadne—and I want to be Clara. Without fear."
Lukas looked at her with open admiration. He sat up as well and clapped his hands. "That's my power woman! Victim mode is officially over! But..." he raised a warning finger, "...please wear one of the outfits I bought with Kimmy-bear today. No press conference in a baggy sweatshirt, okay? If we're doing this, we need the grand entrance."
Clara nodded bravely, but then her gaze softened again, and uncertainty mirrored in her eyes. "Do you think... do you think he hates me now?"
Lukas and Pascale looked at each other and simultaneously burst out laughing. "Min-ho? Babe, you are hopelessly whipped for him, and he is for you! You always stare at him like he's a giant slice of cream cake after a three-week crash diet. He doesn't hate you. He will show up at that press conference. He'll probably think you're going to announce your retirement or leave the country. He'll be utterly devastated... until you step onto that stage."
Clara squeezed Bruno one last time against her chest before placing him gently back on the pillow. A strong, confident smile returned to her face.
"Then I guess it's about time," Pascale said with a knowing grin, "that the cream cake finally finds out who the baker is."