Chapter 130: What Should I Do?
Claire Grace fled from the Zeller family mansion, her cheeks streaked with silent tears. She dashed past the elegant homes of Willowheart Street, finally collapsing on the side of a wide road, trembling and utterly lost. Her sobs were silent but relentless, an ocean of grief spilling over her cheeks, and she found herself unable to make a sound.
She couldn't believe what Lucas had done. To turn down Blaire's feelings, he'd concocted a massive lie. He'd deceived Claire for so long, and now everything clicked into place: why he agreed to marry her but refused to have a wedding, why he didn't want their relationship made public initially, and why he insisted she not tell Blaire about his "recovery." All of it—just a ruse.
And her? She'd been a fool, a naive fool, rushing to repay a debt that had been nothing but a lie. No wonder Lucas often mocked her for being clueless; she was hopelessly naive.
When her tears finally subsided, Claire stood on shaky legs, her body stiff from sitting too long. She looked around, realizing she had no idea where to go. She had no family to turn to, and her few friends were scattered far away. Her college classmates had long since moved out of the city. She couldn't impose on Lauren Wells. Blaine Jackson had gone back to France. Her coworkers, including Sarah, all lived with their families, and though she was closest to Amy, she didn't even have Amy's phone number.
The desolation around her was eerie, the road empty except for the occasional passing car. The silence pressed on her, stirring memories of horror stories she'd read as a student—grotesque monsters, headless ghosts, and wandering spirits flashed through her mind.
*Please, Mom and Dad, protect me from anything unclean,* she prayed fervently, clenching her hands together.
Suddenly, the sharp chime of her phone shattered the stillness, making her jump. Her heart pounded as she fumbled for the phone, only to see the call had already ended. Just as she retrieved it from her bag, the phone rang again.
A glance at the caller ID filled her with mixed emotions—relief that it wasn't Lucas, but also disappointment. She wasn't ready to face him yet. If he called, she feared she might lash out and scream at him over the phone.
Claire hit the answer button, and before she could speak, an irritated voice rang out:
"Claire, are you deaf? Or are you too busy making out with your CEO to answer my call?" Sarah's teasing tone was brash but familiar.
The sound of her friend's voice broke Claire's fragile composure, and tears welled up again, spilling down her cheeks.
"Whoa, whoa! Claire, what's going on? Is it the CEO? Did he bully you? Or wait—did you get mugged on the way home? Oh, no! It couldn't be Blaine, right? Scratch that—he's on TV right now, being interviewed. That's actually why I called! Have you seen it? Anyway, where are you?"
Claire hesitated before giving Sarah her location. Immediately, Sarah insisted she get a cab and head to her apartment.
"But you live with your family—"
"Not anymore. I moved out ages ago. I'll text you my address. Come on, I'll wait for you downstairs."
---
An hour later, Claire was sitting in Sarah's cozy apartment, watching her friend sprawl on the couch, legs propped up on the coffee table, looking nothing like the polished professional she was at work.
"That girl is insane! Blaire actually said that to you?" Sarah exclaimed, her voice indignant.
Claire hesitated. "Uh, Sarah, could you, um, maybe take your feet off the table?"
Sarah waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, come on! My mom nags me enough at home—that's why I moved out! Don't you start now." She leaned forward. "Wait a minute, Blaire's not really Lucas's sister?"
"No, she's not."
"That explains so much. I always wondered why she was so clingy with him at the office—like she wanted to fuse herself to him or something. Turns out she's in love with him!"
"What am I supposed to do, Sarah?" Claire whispered.
Sarah tilted her head. "What do you mean? You're married. Lucas clearly chose you, right? You're the one he loves, not her."
Claire's lips trembled. "But that's not true," she admitted softly. "He doesn't love me. He married me because it was convenient, because it kept Blaire at bay. If it hadn't been me, it could've been anyone."
Sarah frowned. "You're not seriously thinking about leaving him, are you?"
Claire didn't answer immediately, her silence speaking volumes.
"Look, Claire, relationships are complicated," Sarah said, her tone softening. "But if you care about him, don't just give up. Feelings can grow over time, you know."
Claire sighed deeply. "Sarah, you've been in love before, haven't you?"
"Of course! What kind of question is that? I've had, like, two dozen boyfriends!"
Claire gawked. "Two dozen?!"
Sarah grinned. "What can I say? I'm experienced. But listen, Claire, life's too short to overthink everything. Love isn't perfect. Just be honest with yourself."
Claire smiled faintly, but her thoughts remained heavy. Could she keep fighting for Lucas's love, knowing his heart might never be hers?