Chapter 136: Is This Really the End?

Lucas Zeller's piercing gaze burned into Claire Grace, leaving her momentarily stunned and speechless. 

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"Why are you looking at me like that?" Claire's voice trembled as she met Lucas's intense stare. "I didn't push her!" She knew her earlier movement might not have been gentle, but it certainly wasn't forceful enough to knock someone down. And yet, his expression felt accusatory. "Don't you believe me?"

"I—"

"Ahh! Lucas, my foot! It hurts so much—it's already swollen!" Blaire Zeller's anguished cry pierced the air.

Lucas's lips pressed into a firm line as he tore his gaze from Claire and directed it toward Blaire's ankle. Sure enough, the injured area had swelled into a prominent, angry lump. 

"Lucas, don't blame Claire. I know she didn't mean to push me. Please don't—" 

"I didn't!" Claire's voice cracked as she interrupted Blaire, tears glistening in her eyes. "I didn't push you! Why are you saying that?" 

"Yes, Mr. Zeller," Sarah chimed in softly as she approached Claire. "I saw everything. Claire only brushed Blaire's hand away; she didn't push her." 

"So, what are you saying?" Blaire's tone was sharp, her chin lifted in defiance as she looked to Lucas. "That I'm lying? Or that I deliberately fell? Lucas, I care so much about my health. Do you think I'd risk another fracture? If my leg breaks again, I could be permanently disabled!"

"You—"

"Enough!" Claire cut off Sarah's attempt to defend her. Turning away, she took a deep breath, trying to stem the tide of heartbreak welling in her chest. But her tears betrayed her, streaming down faster. "I didn't push her, and I won't apologize for something I didn't do!" 

"Claire, don't be so stubborn right now," Sarah murmured, nudging her arm. She couldn't understand why Claire's usually calm demeanor had shifted so drastically today.

At that moment, a sudden beam of glaring white light cut through the darkness. The light softened, revealing a tall, commanding figure stepping out of a sleek car. 

"Blaine Jackson?" Sarah's eyes narrowed in surprise as she recognized the man approaching. The last time she'd seen him, they'd been arguing in his studio. 

"Claire." Blaine's deep, warm voice carried a comforting note as he neared. His striking features, sharp and defined, softened with concern when he noticed the tears streaking her face. "Claire, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" 

"Master Blaine…" Claire's voice was barely a whisper, tinged with vulnerability. To Lucas, her soft, plaintive tone was as grating as needles on a chalkboard. 

Before anyone could react, Lucas stepped forward and wrapped his arm possessively around Claire's waist, pulling her close. 

"My wife doesn't need your concern," Lucas growled, his voice icy. His mind raced. Blaine had just returned from France—how did he know Claire was here at Sarah's house? Unless… Had Claire called him? The thought sent a fresh wave of fury surging through Lucas. 

Lowering his gaze to Claire's tear-streaked face, he demanded, "Why is he here? How does he know you're here?" 

"I… I called him," Claire admitted bravely, refusing to hide the truth. 

Lucas's expression froze, his arm tightening around her waist like a vice. 

"I've searched everywhere for you," he said, his voice trembling with suppressed anger. "I've been running around like a fool, trying to find you. And you… you called another man to pick you up? What are you trying to tell me, Claire Grace?" His voice was laced with bitterness, his rage palpable. 

"I'm not trying to say anything," Claire replied, her voice breaking. "I've already told you—I'm not good enough for you!" She refused to meet his gaze, afraid her resolve might waver. 

"That's nonsense!" Lucas cursed under his breath, his eyes blazing. "Tell me the truth, Claire. Do you like Blaine Jackson? Is that why you're being so cruel to me?" 

"You're insufferable!" Claire cried, her voice rising with frustration. "You've always known who I care about most. How dare you insult me like this? If anyone is cruel, it's you! Just… just take your precious sister to the hospital. She looks seriously hurt." 

Lucas clenched his fists, trembling with barely restrained emotion. "You're coming with me," he declared. "No matter what misunderstandings there are, we'll clear them up. I won't let you walk away with him." 

"Mr. Zeller, you still don't get it, do you?" Claire said slowly, her voice sharp and deliberate. "I said… I wish you and Blaire happiness." 

The weight of her words hung in the air like a bombshell. Everyone froze. Lucas's face turned ghostly pale before his expression hardened, cold and unyielding like a statue carved from ice. 

"So, that's it," he said at last, his voice eerily calm. "You want to break up with me?" 

The word "breakup" was like a knife to Claire's heart. Though Sarah had mentioned it in passing before, hearing Lucas say it felt devastating, as if a bomb had exploded within her, scattering the remnants of her sanity. 

She didn't want to break up with him. She loved him with every fiber of her being. But the betrayal—his lie that he refused to admit—still festered, making it impossible for her to move forward. 

"Mr. Zeller," Sarah interjected, trying to salvage the situation. "This is all a misunderstanding. Isn't that right, Claire?" 

"I…" Claire's voice faltered. 

"Claire, is there some misunderstanding here?" Blaine asked gently, his perceptive gaze flicking toward Blaire, who sat on the ground, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. 

"Lucas!" Blaire suddenly cried out, clutching her ankle. "It hurts so much! The swelling's worse!" 

Lucas glanced back at his sister, gritting his teeth in frustration. Looking once more at Claire, he saw her tears flowing unchecked, her face pale and stricken. 

"Blaine, we don't need your interference," Lucas snapped, knocking Blaine's hand away from Claire's trembling shoulder. Grabbing her wrist, he said firmly, "Let's go. We'll take Blaire to the hospital, and then we can talk."

"You take her yourself," Claire said, wrenching her hand free. "I have no interest in watching her put on a show." Turning to Blaine, she said softly, "Let's go." 

"Claire Grace!" Lucas roared, his voice thunderous. His gaze was razor-sharp, cutting through her like a blade. "How could you be so heartless? Blaire's injury is real, and you dare call it an act?" 

"She knows the truth," Claire retorted, her back turned to him as her tears fell freely. "I admire her dedication. She's willing to risk permanent injury just to frame someone." 

"Claire!" Blaire's voice shook, feigning shock. "You think I'm lying? I only wanted to ask for your forgiveness—for both myself and Lucas. But I see now…" 

Blaire tried to stand, but the pain was too much. Gritting her teeth, she declared, "Don't worry. I'll crawl to the hospital if I have to!" 

"Blaire!" Lucas cried, rushing to scoop her up. As he passed Claire, his voice was like ice: "If this is the result you wanted, I'll finalize the divorce papers immediately. You'll have your freedom." 

Divorce? 

Claire's head snapped up, her eyes fixed on Lucas's retreating back. Her heart shattered, and for the first time, she understood what it meant to feel worse than death. 

Was this the end? Was she no longer his "Snail Girl," and he no longer her husband? 

"Claire, are you okay?" Blaine's worried voice cut through her despair. 

"I'm fine," Claire murmured, though her pale face and trembling body betrayed her. 

"Let's get her to the hospital," Sarah said urgently. 

"No hospitals," Claire whispered weakly. 

Blaine's arms tightened around her protectively. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "There's more than one hospital in town." 

As Blaine carried Claire to his car, Sarah's thoughts darkened. What misunderstanding could be so grave as to lead to divorce? Whatever it was, Blaire Zeller surely had a hand in it.