Clarence’s POV.
The shattering of glass by a waitress, who apologized profusely, jolted me back to reality. It was Christmas Eve, and I sat in a corner of the hall, watching my husband beam with pride as he greeted guests at his second company's launch. A dull ache bloomed in my chest like a bruise spreading its tender fingers. My heart felt heavy, weighed down by the memories that lingered in every corner of my mind as I recalled his cold behavior and the hurtful words he'd spoken the night before which was opposite to what he showed to everyone else. "I only married you for your family's influence," he had said. "The moment I get what I want, you're out of my life. Who wants a cripple for a wife? You can't even take control in bed. You're as good as dead." A tear slid down my cheek, which I quickly wiped away before anyone noticed. Gina, my step-sister, had always been his first choice - perfect, able-bodied, and everything I wasn't. But when he discovered she wouldn't bring him the empire he coveted, he settled for me instead. But my family had to beg him before he agreed because they wanted his collaboration. They were willing to compromise on their end, forcing me into marriage with him. "I want to invite my beautiful wife on stage," he said, his gentle voice booming through the microphone. The loud applause around me snapped me out of my thoughts and I forced a smile, blinking back tears. I rolled my wheelchair forward, pressing it to start heading to the stage to meet him. "Hmmn... How did such a handsome gentleman end up with her," I heard some curious guests whisper loudly as I passed their table. I swallowed hard, blocking out my mind from hearing more of such words. It wasn't the first time I'd heard those words. From the day he introduced me to his family, friends, and colleagues, until our wedding day, I'd always heard people whisper similar things and I couldn't blame them; my husband was the most perfect gentleman you would ever meet on the outside and he deserved everything better but if only they knew how cold and opposite he was on the inside. "Let me help you up," he said when I approached the stage, stretching his hand forward as he walked up to me. With the help of some other guards, I was placed on the stage, which had always been so embarrassing, but I endured it for his sake because scenarios like that bought him more sympathy and favor from onlookers. I had the hope that all this would soon be over, thanks to my upcoming surgery. If the results were positive, I'd have a chance to dream of a new life, one where he'd finally treat me like the wife he wanted. "Thank you for all coming to support my husband." I beamed with a smile as I glanced around, avoiding eye contact with anyone. But my breath hitched when my eyes landed on my step-sister's face, the grin on her face made my heart skip a beat and blood run cold. The ugly memory of her trying to murder me three years ago flashed before my eyes. She had attempted to push me down the stairs when she learned my husband had chosen to marry me. If my father hadn't stopped her, I would have died. The menacing glare she had on her face that day after failing to succeed had never left my memory, and after that day, she disappeared to where no one knew. Seeing her again today made me feel so uneasy. "Clarence, are you okay," my husband called, snapping me out of my trance. I was panicking, my breath coming in short gasps. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, then spilled down my cheeks in hot, salty streams. My husband's eyes flashed a sign of concern like he cared to know what was happening to me but I knew better that it was fake. He took the mic from me and faced the crowd. "I'm sorry, I think my wife's excitement over my achievement caused her to be unable to speak. She cries whenever she's thankful for something good in her life. Sus is such an angel, that's why I love her so much." His words were laced with sarcasm, making me want to puke. "Let me escort her back," he announced and grabbed my wheelchair roughly, revealing the anger that had risen within him. He then loosened his grip, pretending to handle my chair delicately. With a fake smile, he pushed me out of the hall and shoved me forcefully when we got to our mansion, nearly sending me crashing into the wall in our living room. "What was that, Clarence? What was that embarrassment?" he seethed. "Do you want to show everyone how I treat you? Do you think they'll pity you? Don’t you know they pity me instead, for settling for someone like you? For settling with a burden like you!" He spat, his eyes blazing with rage as he clenched his fist, making me flinch in fear. "I'm sorry, Damon, please," I apologized, trying to calm him down. "It wasn't intentional. I didn't know when I became lost in a trance." But my apology only fueled his anger. "I know you're making excuses," he spat. "You always embarrass me. Either you fall in public or knock things over while trying to control those useless legs of yours." His words pierced my heart and a tear rolled down my cheek. I felt anger simmering in my chest, fueled by the familiar sting of his insults. Each taunt, each careless word, felt like a weight added to the burden I already carried. I was tired of being his scapegoat, tired of being blamed for his own shortcomings. "Damon, please stop this madness!" I yelled, and his face showed surprise. He wasn't expecting me to raise my voice at him ever, and I immediately regretted it. "I never wanted to be a burden, especially not to my husband," I said bitterly. "Life happened, Desmond. I wasn't born like this. I had an accident after college, and you know that. I've tried not to let my condition get in your way, but mistakes happen. You shouldn't keep judging me for that." I tried to plead with him but his expression changed to offense. "You don't have to treat me this way," I continued, ignoring the look on his face. "I know you never intended to marry me, but we ended up together. All you are supposed to do is to support me now, at least if my test results for surgery are positive, and I can get past the surgery, that's going to be a new beginning for us.” “New Beginning?” Damon sneered. “With who? Me?” “Wow, I can see you have quite an impossible dream, Clarence. You should wake up.” He said, shattering the hope left in my heart. “I don't know why you keep forgetting that I love Gina, and you were just something I had to accept to achieve my goal. But I assure you, all of this will end soon. Gina is back. I saw her, and she smiled at me. I know she can't wait to have me in her arms again,” he said with his eyes full of happiness. "Damon, no!” I whimpered as some ugly thoughts hit me like a ton of bricks. “You aren't thinking of having an affair with her and cheating on me with her, are you?" I asked and my heart skipped a beat as I met his gaze. A shiver ran down my spine, and my palms grew sweaty. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking on thin ice, that one wrong move would send me tumbling. "And what will you do if I do?" he replied as his expression turned to that of anger and he moved back, preparing to leave. "What can you do in your condition, Clarence? Have you forgotten that you are as good as dead? Where can you go with those legs? Can you be able even to come after me or stop me when you catch me fucking her? This is your fate, Clarence. You can't stop me from reuniting with Gina. You can't do anything about it,” He thundered with his eyes full of contempt and mockery. I swallowed hard, suppressing the tears that filled my eyes as I pushed myself forward to meet him but he moved back and started walking away. “Damon, wait. Please don't leave,” I yelled after him, pressing my wheelchair to move forward to be able to keep up with his pace and stop him but it was like I was wasting my time because in no time, he was at the door. "No, Damon…” I cried. “Please don't do this to me. Don't do what I think you're about to do. I won't let you, I will stop you," I screamed, still going after him. He turned back, his smile twisted with malice as he watched me struggle to keep up. "Like you can stop me, Clarence. Well watch me go do that," he sneered. I increased my pacing, rushing after him, tears streaming down my face, but I stumbled and fell hard when he slammed the door shut in front of me as he walked out.Clarence’s POV. An hour later, I bit my lips in pain as I listened to the moans of my sister and husband coming from the secluded VIP bathroom in our estate. A domestic servant had helped me out of the house after finding me banging on the door of the living room. I begged them to bring me to this part of the estate, suspecting my husband was meeting my step-sister there and my suspicion turned out to be correct. The sound of his pleasure-filled cries brought back memories of my worst nights with him. He never touched me and was always repulsed by my disability. Instead, he'd masturbate, fearing that touching me would worsen the stiffness in my legs. "More, Damon, keep it coming, harder. Argh, I have missed you so much. What made me run away from you all these years? I love you," my sister Gina cried out in pleasure as their bodies continued to collide in a stronger rhythm - they weren't stopping anytime soon. "No one has made me feel the way you always do, Gina. I don't wa
Clarence’s POV. "Hello! Mrs. Ferdinand. Hello." I heard Dr. Mike said, which brought me back to my senses, and I picked up the phone to continue our conversation. "Is everything okay? You had immediately gone silent after I confirmed that Dr. Julian would be handling your case. Is everything okay? Don't you want him?" he asked, and I swallowed. "Yes, I don't. Is there no other doctor that can handle my surgery?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of how I would face the only man who had loved me dearly. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Ferdinand. There isn't.” He replied almost immediately. “It took a tough time getting to even access his schedule and beg for you to be fixed into it. He is a very busy man whose five-year schedule has all been already fixed.” “His agreement with going out of his way to squeeze you in was something unexpected and should be a blessing; you should be grateful," Dr. Mike let out, and my worry could only intensify. If only he understood what was going on
Clarence’s POV. "Damon, you are joking. Aren't you?" I laughed nervously, trying not to accept those words that came out of his lips. "Do I look like I will ever joke with you?" he asked in irritation, sending shivers down my spine. "Why, Damon? It's been just three years since we got married. I had been nothing but good to you, and you have been the one who kept on hurting me, and I forgave you for everything. Why do you want a divorce?" I questioned him, trying to put the pieces together. But then I remembered Gina and my heart ached. She must be the one who instigated this. She was back, and getting Damon to divorce me was what she had always wanted. She knew that according to the principles of my family, if my marriage with Damon ended, I would lose everything including my position as the heiress and be tossed aside because none of us was allowed to fail in our marriage, in order not to taint the perfect, successful marriages of my family's history. "No, I can't accept t
Clarence’s POV. The voice of the flight attendant faded into my ears as I blurted out everything happening in the background. The memory of what Damon did just to force me to accept the divorce still haunted me. I had never imagined that Damon could be that evil. How could he treat me like I wasn't a human? He was ready to end my life if I didn't accept to sign the divorce so I would be out of his way. After I had agreed to sign the divorce papers, which I did in his presence, I felt goosebumps fill my skin on realizing I had lived three years of my life with a man who can comfortably kill me without remorse. That evening, while I prepared to move out the next day, Gina showed up looking stunning. It was the first time I had seen her since our eyes met at the launch, and she was grinning from ear to ear, commanding the domestic staff to do her bidding. She even had the guts to tell me boldly to my face that, "Whatever is hers, come to her no matter how long it takes." But
Clarence’s POV. I didn’t realize how tense I was until the other doctor tapped lightly on the table, pulling me back to the present. For a second, I thought I was imagining things. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. But when he stepped further into the room, his gaze settling on me, I knew it was real. I stared at him, too stunned to speak. He looked the same, yet different—just older and sharper now. The boy I once knew had been replaced by a man whose presence effortlessly filled the room. His features were calm and completely unreadable—but there was something in his eyes, something I couldn’t quite place. “Are you okay, Ms. Clarence?” the younger doctor asked. I nodded rapidly, forcing myself to pull it together. “This is Dr. Julian Blackwood. He’ll be in charge of your surgery,” he introduced. “I’ll leave you both to talk.” He turned to go. I wanted to reach out, to stop him, to ask him not to leave me alone in this room. But whatever this was, I had
Clarence’s POV. A numb sort of disbelief settled over me as I whispered again. “No. That can’t be right.” “Mrs. Ferdinand—” “No.” I shook my head, cutting Julian off before he could speak. “There has to be a way. There has to be something else you can do,” I insisted, refusing to accept his words. “Please…something can be done right?” My voice wavered, and I felt the sting of tears threatening to fall. Julian didn’t respond right away. Instead, he turned around silently and took a seat. He let out a heavy sigh before he cleared his throat. “The nerve damage is severe. It would take a miracle after years of taking the wrong medication to make your legs work again,” he said calmly. His words hit me like a slap. My hands gripped the arms of my wheelchair, my breath turning shallow as Damon’s face flashed through my mind. He was the one who got me those medications. He was the one I trusted. And now, because of him—because of his choices—I was being told my surgery mi
Julian’s POV. The moment I stepped into my office, I shut the door harder than necessary. My jaw tightened as I dropped my clipboard onto the desk and ran a frustrated hand through my hair. Clarence’s words echoed in my mind, unsettling me in a way, I didn’t want to admit. "I trusted my husband. He won’t harm me." Who did that? Who blindly swallowed whatever was handed to them without a second thought? It was reckless. Stupid. Clarence wasn’t someone who acted carelessly, like a sheep being led to slaughter. She was cautious, she had a voice, and she would never indulge in something that wasn’t verified. And yet, despite my frustration, I couldn’t understand what had made her blindly trust her husband enough to take a substance she knew nothing about. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, and yet I couldn’t calm my temper. But it wasn’t because she used to be the most important person in my life—those days were long gone. No, it was because I was a doctor,
Damon’s POV. I leaned back in my chair, fingers drumming lightly against the divorce papers spread across my desk. My name was neatly scrawled at the bottom, but it was her signature that held my attention. “Pathetic.” A slow smirk tugged at my lips. This was years in the making. Every step, every carefully placed move had led to this moment. She had been nothing more than a pawn, and now, she was finally out of my way. I picked up the papers, tracing a finger over the ink, as if I could feel the weight of my victory pressing against my skin. But this wasn’t just about a divorce. This was about power. And now, everything she once had—her inheritance, her assets, her name—belonged to me. A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, exhaling slowly. The door swung open, and my secretary stepped inside with her usual composed expression. “Mr. Brian is here to see you, sir.” I nodded. “Send him in.” A moment later, Brian walked in, his usual unflap
CHAPTER 69 Julian’s POV. I was completely shocked and still reeling from the shock of the slap that had just landed on my face. Kristina’s father, Mr. Herdson stood before me without any form of remorse for what he had just done. “It’s all because you were never there when she went to find you!” he roared. “You were unreachable, and that’s why my daughter got so crazy. She turned to drink, and before she knew it, she hit someone. It was your fault,” he accused. Every word hit me like a wave. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as his anger mixed with a sort of twisted disappointment. I tried to steady my breathing, struggling to form a response that would both defend myself and release the pressure building inside. “I was never meant to be your daughter's puppet, I didn't ask her to drink before driving,” I finally managed with the same anger he had vented on me. “I can’t keep taking the blame for everything Kristina does. I’m tired of being blamed for her choices, even
Clarence’s POV. I didn't wait for Officer Ray to say anything and rushed out when Mr Smith told me the court was going to begin in thirty minutes and I was late. When I arrived, the court hearing was about to begin and I met him waiting for me outside the courtroom. Together we headed into the courtroom and he offered me a seat. My stepmother and sister were yet to arrive, we had to wait for them. The judge had arrived and was patiently waiting for them too. I couldn't deny I was nervous, this was my first time in court and it wasn't with a stranger but with my family. My hands folded on my lap, my nails pressing into my palm to keep myself steady. There were so many things troubling me and this court hearing added to it. If only they would allow me to have what rightfully belonged to me but even after having everything and kicking out with the excuse of me going against the family tradition, she still wanted what was left of me. “Since both parties have arrived, can we proceed
Clarence’s POV. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my blouse, but my hands felt heavy. Every movement required effort.The hospital had finally discharged me, but it wasn’t because I was fully healed. I had insisted on leaving. Staying there any longer, lying in that sterile bed with nothing but my own thoughts, would have driven me mad. There was no time to rest. Not when I had my first court hearing to attend. I had already contacted my mom’s lawyer, forwarding the court summons to him and he told me he was going to represent me as my lawyer making everything easier for me since the company involved him. After I finished dressing for work, I made my way to the office, pushing down the lingering aches in my body, anticipating to see Julian and thank him for coming to my aid and helping me to have bed rest at the hospital which has helped calm my worries. It also helped me catch Gina cheating, a card I would use against her anytime the need arose. I had bar
Julian’s POV. I stood outside the hospital with my phone in hand, staring at the number on the screen. Calling my parents wasn’t something I wanted to do, but they had to know so they could reach out to Kristina's parents. I couldn't bring myself to call them, never. It was something I had never done since I was forced to be in a relationship with Kristina under duress and more threats than my will. With a deep breath, I finally brought myself to press the call button. It didn’t take long before my mother picked up. “Julian, Where are you? What happened to you? I have been calling you but you never picked up. Where is Kristina? Have you seen her?” She questioned worriedly. I closed my eyes for a second, already dreading the conversation, not knowing how to break the news to her knowing it would startle her but I knew I had to. “Kristina got into an accident.” Silence followed on her own end for a second, she took a deep breath and voiced out. “What?” “She was drunk. She go
Julian’s POV. I sat at the bar, staring at the glass in front of me, barely touching it. The dim lights cast long shadows across the counter, and the low murmurs of conversation blended with the soft clinking of glasses with the people around, drinking merrily as if they had never had any problem or need all their lives. It was late, my mother had been calling non-stop including Kristina but I didn’t feel like going home. I had been waiting for a while for Liam, my closest friend from college. I was almost giving up hope when he texted me he was already at the bar. Liam finally walked in, shrugging off his jacket as he approached. He spotted me immediately, his expression shifting from happiness to that of concern as he took the seat beside me. “You look terrible, Julian. Are you okay at all?” He said, waving at the bartender to bring more drinks. I let out a slow breath. “I am not okay at all,” I confessed to him. He was someone I couldn't ever keep any secret from. If I wa
Kristina’s POV I sat patiently on the couch as Julian’s mother walked back into the room. Julian had shown up after almost an hour of us waiting for him just to act like there was something wrong before he walked away refusing to acknowledge the presence of my parents as he used to make me know something was wrong. I had wanted to go after him but his mother asked me to stay back and went instead. It took her over thirty minutes to come back without Julian by her side. “Where is Julian?” I asked in my mind, being alert and fearing he had left or refused to show up knowing how my parents would react when they got to know he was avoiding them. Mrs Blackwood’s face was unreadable as she walked towards me, but something about the way she glanced at my parents before turning to me sent a shiver down my spine making me curious. “Kristina,” she said in a low voice, her tone carefully controlled like she didn't want my parents to hear us. “Come with me for a moment.” I swallowed ha
Julian’s POV. The air inside the house felt heavy, pressing down on my chest the moment I stepped in. The quiet hum of conversation at the dining table barely registered as I walked in, my steps slow and controlled—like I was holding something back. I wasn’t even sure why I had come back. Maybe out of habit. Maybe because part of me still hoped there was an explanation that would make this all make sense. But deep down, I knew there wasn’t. My gaze swept across the room, stopping on Kristina. She was seated next to my mother, her posture relaxed, and her expression composed. Not a single mark on her skin. No bruises. No signs of the pain she had claimed to be in. I clenched my jaw. The image in the photo flashed in my mind—the one my mother had sent; her face battered and her eyes swollen with tears. And yet, here she was, looking perfectly fine. A bitter taste coated my tongue. I had been manipulated again. Kristina noticed me as I joined them at the dining tab
Clarence’s POV. A dull pain spread through my body as I opened my eyes, the white ceiling above me coming into focus. The scent of antiseptic filled my nose, making it clear I was in the hospital. My body felt stiff and my arms sore, but it was when I tried to shift my legs that the real discomfort set in. I winced, stopping immediately. "You're awake," a calm voice said. I turned my head to see a doctor standing beside the bed, adjusting the IV line. He offered me a calm, professional smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Like I lost a fight I didn’t even know I was in," I muttered, shifting slightly. My arms throbbed, and my legs felt off, not as steady as they should. "What exactly happened to me?" The doctor glanced at the clipboard in his hand. "You sustained multiple bruises from the impact, mostly on your arms, but there was also an effect on your legs." I frowned, confused. "My legs?" He nodded. "Yes. The hit you took aggravated them, even though they were
Julian’s POV.Kristina’s hand was still in the air when I snapped out of my shock. Clarence was on the floor, struggling to push herself up, her expression frozen in stunned disbelief. The sight of her like that sent a sharp, burning rage through me. “What the hell is wrong with you?” My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I didn’t care. I stepped forward, ready to pull Clarence up, but Kristina grabbed my arm. “Don’t touch her,” she snapped, her grip tightening around my arm. “She’s manipulating you, Julian. You can’t see it, but I can.” I pulled my arm free without hesitation, causing Kristina to stumble back. “Are you out of your mind?” I glared at her. “You think slapping her proves anything? That this makes me want to be with you?” “She’s ruining everything!” Kristina’s voice was high-pitched now, bordering on desperation. “You never used to be like this before she came into your life!” I ignored her and turned to Clarence, crouching down. “Are you alright?” S