"Claire!!!"Axel was standing by the edge of the bridge, shouting out for her. He was crying, hot and salty liquid dropping from his eyes. The emergency team had responded promptly, and were now combing the waters in search of her. Donald was trying to control the crowd that had formed and were now with cameras turned on, capturing the entire event.Lisa knelt by the bridge, her hands in cuffs. A policeman stood beside her, different from the one that had interviewed her earlier. He was a tough cookie, who ignored every flirtatious gesture she made. She sneered when she heard Axel call out Claire's name."Claire is history, Axel. Why can't you see that?" She gave him a charming smile. "The both of you were not meant to work out. I did a good thing getting rid of the traitor, didn't I?"Axel froze. "What traitor?"Lisa wrinkled her brows in confusion. "Didn't you see the photos?"Axel feigned ignorance. "What photos?" "The ones your mother gave to you."Axel sniffed and took his handk
Axel's mother stared at him for a long time, before moving in to hug him."I'm so sorry, son. I had no idea the photos were doctored." She released him and looked up hopefully. "They are not the reason she was in an accident, right?"Axel saw the sadness in her eyes, and it made his blood boil. He shifted away from her and glared at the wall above her head."Why did you hate her so much, mother? You didn't even get to know her."A hurt expression flashed on her face, but it was gone as soon as it had come."I just wanted to be sure you had not chosen wrongly." She rubbed her temple. "Besides, there were so many stories flying about, and I didn't want it all to come back on you and the company."Axel's mouth thinned out. "Exactly. You were afraid of anything taking away your wealth and social status."His mother looked affronted. "That's not…""Don't even think about denying it." He raised his voice. "You shouldn't be here. Claire won't be happy to see you here."She inclined her head
Jenise was frowning. "How could the doctor have told him that, even after seeing he was under great stress?" Everyone was gathered in the men's suite. Coco was fast asleep on the love seat, holding a heart shaped cushion firmly with her puny fists. Hunter had called the hospital to check on Claire's status, and one of the nurses had informed him that she might become brain dead. Then she had lowered her voice and quietly informed him that Axel might be losing it."Do you think someone should go check on him?" Myla asked."Maybe we are looking at all this from the wrong perspective." Eric snuck a glance at Danielle. She had her arms wrapped around herself. Her eyes were closed, and she was rocking her body on the sofa.Donald followed his gaze. "You're right. Maybe we should focus more on the fact that all of us, not just Axel, are in danger of losing Claire. We all love her too." Danielle opened her eyes, and they were wet with grief. "Some more than others.""But we have ourself."
The doctor rushed into Claire's hospital room."I heard the alarm. What's going on?" He asked calmly."Her finger moved just now!" Axel pointed and shouted. "I swear I saw it move."The doctor checked Claire's pupils and the reading on the machine. "I'm sure you saw it move, Mr. Lysander." He said in a disbelieving tone. "We'll take a scan to check her brain activity."Axel heaved. "You don't believe me, do you?""Mr. Lysander, I'm sure you are very eager to see your wife wake up, but it is possible that your mind is just playing tricks on you.""Why would I make something like that up?" Axel yelled. "The reading on the machine spiked, and she moved. She…""It's true." A little voice said quietly.It was one of the residents who entered with the doctor."Look." He picked up her hand. Claire's fingers were still. The doctor glared at him."I don't see anything. What do you think you are…"Her fingers closed around the resident's. The doctor glanced at the beeping machine."Get her do
"You vile creature."Those were the first words Claire spoke, and they were directed at Axel. His heart broke at the pain and hurt he found in her eyes. The doctor coughed, and Axel sent him a scalding look."Get out." He snarled.The doctor did not need to be told twice. He left the room with the rest of the hospital staff. Only Danielle and Axel remained with Claire."Claire." He began, but stopped.What was he going to say? He had no explanations for his actions. He had thought severally about what he was going to tell her when she woke up, but now that she was actually awake, his mind went blank.Danielle pushed him out of the way and sat beside Claire. "We are so glad to have you back, Claire. We were so worried."Claire's eyes softened around their edges. "I know. How long was I out?""Three days." Danielle looked up at Axel. "As much as I am very upset about everything, I have to mention that he was right beside you all that time. He never left your side."Claire squeezed her
Danielle sighed. "You manipulator. Fine, you win. But you're a married woman, Claire. You should stay at your husband's home."Claire looked at her empty finger. She must have lost that band of gold that tied her to Axel."Not any more, D. And I don't care about the contract. I would rather go to jail for breach of contract than stay any where near him."Danielle folded her arms. "He really messed up this time, didn't he?"Claire yawned and pulled the sheets over her head. "I need to sleep, D. When I wake up, please make sure all the arrangements are in place."She fell asleep pretty easily. The hardest part was staying asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was him. In the kitchen, in the men's suite, in the office, in the car. The imagery kept recurring in her dreams. She desperately wanted to fight it, but it was too strong for her.She slept fitfully and woke up too frequently for someone who was supposed to be resting. Once when she woke up, she found the docto
Axel sat in the hospital lobby, watching patients and the hospital staff come and go. For the first time in days, his mind was surprisingly blank, and at a time he needed to think most. He had gone down every train of thought of how he could get reconciled to Claire, and he had discarded each one.Nothing seemed right to him. He wished he had a lot more time to think, but nighttime was fast approaching and Claire was insisting that she needed to leave the hospital as soon as possible. The memories were probably painful for her, but even more so for him. Danielle found him sitting there, brooding over the issue. She paused midstride when she had almost reached him."Axel."She was not surprised at the lack of response. Danielle was sure if someone blasted a horn beside his ears, he would probably not notice. She reached out her hand and gently shook his shoulder. He started, but relaxed when he saw who it was."Hey." Danielle wrinkled her brows in concern. "Are you okay?"Axel shrugge
Danielle had gone outside to look for Axel, but could not find him. She scoffed."What happened to staying by her side until she was ready to talk to him?" She muttered under her breath.Someone chuckled above her. Danielle jumped and looked up in panic. She slapped a hand over her chest."Oh come on!"Axel placed a finger on his lips. "Claire's asleep. You're going to wake her."Danielle put her hands on her hips. "What are you doing up there?"Axel pushed himself off the window. For one second, Danielle thought he was going to be crushed to pieces on the ground. However, he bent his knees forward and landed gracefully on his toes."I thought I should watch her sleep, just in case she suddenly wakes up.""And has a heart attack from finding you on her window?" Danielle rolled her eyes. "Come on in.""Huh?"Axel followed Danielle's lead. She took him to Claire's bedroom."Don't you have, like, a company to take care of?"Axel shrugged. "Getting Claire back is more important."Danielle
Okay, I'm in tears right now. I can't believe we have come full circle with this story. I'm proud of you all readers, and so grateful for all your support. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope this story has taught you a lesson on life and love.I can't thank you all enough. You have made it possible for Claire and Axel to come this far. Without your support, I would have given up on this story.I love you all. Thank you. Here's a truckload of hearts and kisses and love and flowers and everything beautiful for you all! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🖤😘😘😘😘🧡🧡🧡Stay healthy, stay safe, stay loved! 😍😍
“You're still watching that?"Claire looked behind her from where she was curled up like a ball on the sofa. Axel stood by the pillar, his hair dripping wet. He was barechested, and Claire had a full view of his godlike body. It was one she had worshipped the night before, and the memories flooded her head. She felt her face go hot.“Why not?" She blustered. "As much as I am concerned about the trend of animal abuse, I get a kick from watching you tell them off.”Axel scowled at her. "That's a very mean thing to say.” His face brightened instantly. "I'm not complaining, though. Why are you blushing?”Claire touched her red face. He was coming closer to peer at her curiously. She squeezed her eyes shut.“You should put some clothes on."Claire felt the sofa dip where he sat down beside her.“No." His breath tickled her face. “I would rather not." Claire rolled her eyes, but kept them closed. "Fine, whatever.”He grabbed her jaw and roughly pulled her against him. "Look at me.”Her eye
Axel had planned the wedding just like Claire wanted, so they moved on straight to the reception in the same place. The dance floor was cleared for the couple to have their first dance, and open the floor. The orchestra struck up a tune, and Claire put her hands around Axel's shoulder.“I can't stop thinking about them."Axel placed his forehead on hers. “Maybe that's because it's about time we got rid of them. I don't want anyone spoiling your mood.”Claire sighed. “There's a little problem though." He whirled her around before holding her close again. "What is that?”She leaned into his chest. "I am finding it rather difficult to leave the comfort of your arms right now.”Axel grinned. "Then don't. We can go after the dance. Besides, we are making a lot of people jealous here. This isn't a chance you want to pass up.”"I've already put my mark on you." She smiled with belligerence and dug her fingers into his suit. “No one can take you away from me." That cracked Axel up, and he s
Axel stood by the altar, watching the heavenly beauty in white walk down the aisle towards him. His heart was beating erratically, and he found it funny how she still made his heart race after all this time. He made a mental note to thank Jenise for making the most beautiful wedding dress for his woman.With each step she took, he found it increasingly difficult to breathe. She stole his breath away, and she had not even said anything yet. Axel was watching her intently, so he easily caught the shift in her gaze and expression. He looked over at what had crumbled her face, and blinked, twice.“What the hell?"“What is it?" Donald was his best man, and was standing close enough to hear him curse out loud. He followed his line of sight to where Rose McLennie sat, and beside her a woman that looked like her older form. They were both wearing sneers on their faces, sneers that were at that moment directed at Claire.Axel turned to him. “How did they get in?"Donald shrugged. "No one got
"Don't stand me up."Those were Axel's last words as he had left the cafe the previous day. Now, as she stood in her flowing wedding dress, she could not help but wonder if his earnest plea was the reason she had put in this much effort to look beautiful.Myla had done wonders on her hair, packing it all to the back bridal style. Her face popped out at anyone that looked, and Myla was grinning at her over the top of her head.“Wow, Claire, just…wow!”Eric had just stepped into the room, and his eyes filled with tears.“I thought today is supposed to be a happy day." Claire said with a soft smile. “Let's save the tears for later, mm?"Danielle was standing by Claire's side, smiling widely. She had done her makeup, and there could be no other exceptional way to do it. Claire looked perfect, beautifully perfect. He took her hand and kissed it. “You have such gifted hands, Danielle." Jenise peeked out from the closet. "I made the dress, hand me my flowers.”Eric chuckled and pulled out
Axel shrunk under the gaze of the women. He saw the men around him do the same. They had had their bachelor's night out the previous day, and the prank had fallen on him. He couldn't get out of it like he had wanted. Earlier, he had tried dissuading the guys."What if she passes out?"Donald had pushed a mask on to his face. "All the more fun, then.""Tomorrow is the wedding!"Hunter snickered. "The worse thing that could happen is if she leaves you at the altar."From her thunderous expression, Claire looked like she just might. She had been terrified, that much was obvious from how her entire body was still trembling. Her legs gave way, and she fell into a chair and began sobbing again.Axel longed to go over to her and put a comforting arm around her, but the look Danielle was giving him stopped him. She looked ready to burn any male that came within a foot of where the women were huddled together around Claire. Eric was not excluded from the ostracization. He had tried to dissuade
It was the ladies' turn to exchange glances. "How can you not know what happens the day before a wedding?" Myla asked. "Even my Coco knows!" Axel raised a brow. "I do know about the bridal shower, but you already had one yesterday."Jenise nudged Danielle. "Tell him. Put them out of their misery." Her voice rang with mockery.Danielle and Claire giggled. "We are going to the spa and hair salon!" Hunter rolled his eyes. "For a second there, I thought something really important was going to happen."Jenise puckered her lips. "Getting a massage and your nails done is "something really important", especially if you are getting married the next day."Axel rose. "You should tidy up the rest of the invitations. Donald, make sure you send them out, along with the accompanying emails."Claire ruffled through the invitations. "I didn't accidentally put one for Croatia in there, right?""Claire." Axel extended a hand towards her. "Walk with me for a second."She reluctantly took his outstretc
Axel stared at Claire in wonder. "You stayed up for most of last worrying about my whereabouts, and now that I'm back safely, you find yourself something else to worry about?"Claire drew her lips into a pout. "I waited up for you because I already had that in mind! Then we couldn't reach you and I forgot what I was worrying about."Axel had to suppress his laughter. "Oh. I see. Well, I have not sent any invitations out yet."Claire sat up. "Really? The wedding is in two days!"Axel furrowed his brows. "Um, yeah?""How would the guests have time to ready their outfits?"Axel snorted. "If anyone cannot get a proper outfit for an occasion, even if it is thirty minutes away, that person would not be in my list. You know the circle I belong to, Claire. If I give them the invitation that morning, and tell them to dress a certain way, they'll show up at the wedding before you."Claire frowned. "That would not be very polite.""I am not polite, sweetheart. I thought you knew that."Claire bi
Danielle gently shoved her forward. "Don't worry about that. At the rate at which you're eating, you'll probably not fit into the dress by weekend."Jenise snorted out a laugh. "I guess that means we will need to do the fitting of the dress on Friday night."The ladies giggled in amusement, and Claire glowered at them."That's not funny, guys!" She grabbed Coco's hand. "Come on, Coco, let's leave them to their impolite behavior."Her reaction only made them giggle more. Claire was not particularly upset. She felt pretty good that they were at least having fun. She could not begin to imagine what they had gone through when she had been in the state of coma. She had not even properly thanked them yet.Claire could see Donald from afar, through the glass doors. He was leaning on the limo, speaking into the phone and smiling widely. Occasionally, he would draw circles with his toes or scratch the back of his head, an indication that he was speaking to his new girlfriend. His relationship