James reached for the small towel hanging by the side of the bench press he was practicing on. It was very calm, he didn't immediately respond to Clarabelle who looked tensed looking at him. James wiped the sweat off his face and neck, then took a water bottle and took a few sips of the water.
Clarabelle was furious. She was sure James didn't want to respond on purpose. It felt like Clarabelle wanted to kick the handsome man's calf in front of him. However, she must know how to behave. She was the one who came and needed James' help this time."Thank you for bringing my sister-in-law. Get back to work." James spoke to the waiter who was also still standing where he was, waiting for James' order.The waiter nodded, then left the gym. Only James and Clarabelle were left. James stepped closer. He set his sights squarely on Clarabelle."I know why you were looking for me." The cold words James spoke. "So, have you thought about what I said?"Clarabelle swallowedClarabelle's hands were clenched at her sides. Her eyes lit up at Jordan who was flabbergasted looking at him."Lala!?" Jordan had no idea that Clarabelle could find him there. In his apartment!“You are great!” Clarabelle's voice trembled. “So, this is the place where you do your business. Okay. You really are great, Hayden!”"Lala, I can explain all this!" Jordan took three steps. Chaotic! All messed up and messy. How did Clarabelle know he was in the apartment?“What do you need to explain, Mr. Hayden?!” Clarabelle glared wide with a boiling heart. Her heart heaved up and down in anger that was about to explode.Then Clarabelle looked back at Karen who was wearing a very minimal and sexy nightgown."I don't know what's going on in your head. You should be ashamed you slept with someone's husband. Are you not confident in looking for a good and free man? I think there's something wrong with your brain, K
Clarabelle opened the car door, got out, and stood opposite James. Clarabelle still didn't understand why the man had followed her. What did James really want from Clarabelle?"What do you want to talk to me about?" Clarabelle's voice was hoarse, trembling slightly. Her emotions still haven't returned to normal. But Clarabelle tried to be as calm as possible with James."You've met Jordan. What will you do so? You know what my brother is like. This is what I thought when he brought you home. He just thinks marriage is a game." James spoke softly, not curtly or sarcastically.The fear and annoyance at James suddenly faded from Clarabelle's heart.“At first, I thought you were just like Jordan, not serious about this relationship. I thought…”"I accepted Jordan because he's Hayden." Clarabelle interrupted James' sentence.James looked at Clarabelle and nodded. He put both hands in the pockets of the large black suit he was wearing."You're different from the women Jordan slept with befo
Clarabelle steeled her heart, holding back the tears that were already at the end and wanting to spill. She looked at Jordan, waiting for him to give her an excuse for his behavior and trick Clarabelle again."Do you remember the problems I had at the office? My trouble in business?" Jordan began by drawing Clarabelle's mind on the situation at the office."Yeah, I remember," Clarabelle answered flatly. Strange, what did the office business have to do with Jordan's mistress?"Karen, she was the one who helped me with my problem. I was so panicked and confused. She showed up and within a few days, all the troubles, she said she was able to sort out. But she asked me..." Jordan took a deep breath. It was the part that Clarabelle would have had a hard time accepting if he said it.Clarabelle frowned, sharply revealing to Jordan."We finally made a deal. If she was able to work things out for me, I would be with her. Be her bedmate.""What!?" Clarabelle bar stood up, glaring at Jordan. Wh
Clarabelle's hands and body were shaking. Adriano fell ill again. His condition dropped drastically. The doctor asked Adriano to be hospitalized. Clarabelle repeatedly cried because she feels guilty, making her father drop out because of hearing about her problems with Jordan.Surely Adriano was affected by the situation that Clarabelle and Jordan faced. He must have really thought about that. Moreover, Adriano felt that he was the reason Clarabelle had to suffer because of the marriage she did.“Honey… I'm sorry …” With almost helpless hands, Adriano grabbed his daughter's arm.“Pa, why are you still thinking about it? I promise I'll be fine. Whether with Jordan or not, I'll be fine." Clarabelle looked at her father with tears in her eyes again."Honey, are you going to part with Jordan?" Adriano stared blankly with a pale face.Clarabelle didn't answer the question right away. She didn't know yet what she would decide about her marriage.“You know what we trust about marriage. It …"
Just a few minutes Clarabelle and Susan were sitting in front of Adriano's room when Jordan appeared with Lorenz. Clarabelle's heart throbbed. It hurt to stab again. But she suppressed it, not wanting to show it in front of Susan and Lorenz. Especially if later in front of her father."Honey... how is Papa?" Jordan stood in front of Clarabelle. He reached out and took Clarabelle by both shoulders.Clarabelle reluctantly looked at Jordan. She slightly lowered her head. "He is sleeping. His condition is bad.”Jordan took a deep breath. "Can I see him?"Clarabelle nodded. Without speaking she stood up and walked into the room followed by Jordan. In the room, Adriano was still sleeping. But it was clear he looked pale and very weak. Jordan stood by the bed, looking at the simple and patient man.When Adriano found out what Jordan was doing, he didn't chase Jordan away from Clarabelle. Adriano asked Jordan to open his heart, change his behavior, and only loved his wife. Jordan said yes to
"Papa is sick, very sick. If he finds out you and I are fighting…” Clarabelle looked at Jordan. She felt her heart falling apart. But she didn't want to lose to the situation. She just wanted her father to be healthy again.“Lala…” Jordan was relieved, but his heart was also shrinking. Clarabelle decided to stay, wanting to be by Jordan's side, for Adriano's sake. It meant it was not sincere because she really wanted to be with Jordan."I just want daddy to be healthy. Whatever I can, I'll do it. If being by your side would make Papa strong again, I will not leave." Clarabelle finished her sentence."Thank you," Jordan said quietly. Well, indeed Adriano was the reason Clarabelle stayed. It didn't matter. At least he and Clarabelle wouldn't be apart and Jordan had a chance to once again fight to prove he was in love with his wife."So, in front of Papa, we'll play it all good. Okay?" Clarabelle's gaze returned sharp. Jordan didn't say anything. He would try to accept this.Jordan's cel
Karen was very surprised by Clarabelle's courage. She didn't shrink at all even though Karen kept trying to defend herself, and instead blamed Clarabelle for entering Jordan's life for marrying that man.“I do have an old mind, not as free as you. But I'm proud of it, Karen. Because I hold something right and not something reprehensible. You should know yourself, and get out of a married man's life." Clarabelle's hands clenched, the more she dared to speak."Who cares what you say? I love Jordan, I will get him again, anyway," said Karen. She couldn't possibly give in to a simple woman like Clarabelle. “Too bad, you have to accept reality. Jordan can't be with you anymore." Karen stared at Karen even more intently. She had to get Karen out of Jordan's life."Then you also have to accept the fact that behind you, Jordan and I will continue to be intimate...""I don't know whether you have a heart or not, whether your brain is functioning properly or not." Clarabelle interrupted Karen.
Karen took two steps forward and tightly hugged Jordan. She felt the masculine scent of Jordan that she liked. In a few minutes, all would pass. Karen closed her eyes, enjoying the strength of Jordan's arms and chest as she hugged him tighter. She didn't want to do more, just hugged him."I have to go, Karen. Forgive me." Jordan let go of Karen. Then he walked out of the room without looking back.Karen looked at Jordan with tears almost spilling out of the corners of her eyes. “You will never be mine, Joy. Never." Karen said quietly.Jordan didn't want to look back at all, he walked away with relief that slowly filled his heart. Karen would no longer be between him and Clarabelle. In the next stage, he would struggle even harder to make Clarabelle smile again. Starting the struggle, Jordan would surprise Clarabelle. He didn't know what it was yet, but it had to be something very special so that Clarabelle would soften and open her heart wide for Jordan ag