Chapter 7
As expected, before I could utter a word, Mara stepped out of the car.
She looked at me, concern etched across her face. “Clara, where have you been these past few days? Beckett and I were so worried about you. Especially Beckett. He’s been so anxious he can’t even eat. Look at him–he’s lost so much weight. It’s heartbreaking.”
Though her words seemed caring, they were tinged with provocation.
“He’s your husband. If you’re heartbroken over him, that’s your problem. What does it have to do with me?” I replied coolly, though my words made Beckett’s face blanch.
His hands trembled slightly with what
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ese
iedad
O
‘s s
re
h
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Seseemed like heartache. “Clatara. from th bebeginning to the end, the enty yeperson evever wanted to marry is you!u.”
Hebearing this, I felt nothing but disdegust gazeze sharpened with irritation asaldobbe atanimimB’Beckett, do you really think it’la idiot? MMust spell everything out for you
I continuededy You already got a marriage certificatete with her, yet you still wanted t have a wededding with me. What did you t me for?“?
He was marriedeurrelationship would never be legallylye cecognized. I would be t or other woman, the erene people whispered akabout. If there’s one ththing ledespise, it’s b
a homewrecker.er.
“N“No, Clara, you’ve gotot wrorongchel plead hi his voice tinged with despepetation!“It’s ju
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a marriage in name only. There’s no love between us!”
Mara’s expression flickered momentarily, but she quickly masked it. Then, clutching her stomach, she let out a sudden cry of pain.
“Beckett, my stomach hurts. Can you take me to the hospital? Please, something feels wrong with the baby!”
Beckett froze, torn between us. His indecision was palpable.
I let out a bitter laugh. “You’d better hurry and take your wife to the hospital. Don’t let anything happen to your son.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned, flagged down a taxi, and left them behind.
I thought I had made everything clear. I
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thought I’d finally be free of the Vaughn family.
I never expected that as I got off work and stepped out of the elevator to my apartment the next day, I would see Mrs. Vaughn waiting by my door.
The moment she saw me, she dropped to her knees. “Please,” she sobbed, her voice trembling. “I’m begging you, please let my son go. He has a wife now, and they’re going to have a baby. They can’t live without him!”
Just then, it was time for my neighbors to return from work, and there were many people walking out of the elevator when she wailed loudly.
They paused to watch the scene unfold.
“From the sound of it, this woman’s a
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homewrecker, someone murmured. “lit seems she is destroying her son and daughter–in–law’s relationship.”
“Look at her all dolled up. She doesn’t seem like a decent person. I can’t believe she’s really a mistress.”
“What a disgrace. How can someone like her live here?”
Hearing their whispered accusations, fury flared inside me, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. “It just so happens that’s exactly what I want to say to you. Please, tell your son to let me go. Tell him to stop showing up at my home and my workplace. Tell him to leave me alone!”
I had already warned Beckett that I wasn’t someone who clung to people who didn’t deserve me. If he ever disappointed me, I
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would leave without hesitation. Once I made that decision, I wouldn’t look back, just like today.
After I said that, a man came running out of the fire escape in a hurry.
Beckett, his face flushed from exertion, looked at me with disappointment. Breathless, he spluttered, “Clara… do you really mean what you just said?”
I looked him straight in the eye, my voice calm but resolute. “Yes. I want you and your entire family to stay out of my life. I never want to see any of you again.”
His mother suddenly sprang to her feet. “Fine! Remember what you said today,” she snapped, her tone sharp and condescending. “Don’t you dare come running back to us later! And stay away from my son and
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daughter–in–law. If you cause any more trouble, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
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