Chapter 10

10

Hunter didn't have to ask about his wife at the reception. A doctor who noticed him entering inside, who was talking to a nurse, left his conversation incomplete to escort the heir of MacIntyre empire to his wife's ward.

Obviously Claire had to be taken to the VIP floor and kept in the biggest ward. As Hunter walked nearer to her, his body started growing sweaty and heart thundered in his chest.

This feeling was equivalent to feeling the soul leaving one's body. What amazed him more was the fact that he was feeling this way for his wife who he was desperately trying to dispose of to be with his real lover.

'What the hell!' A lump formed in his throat as he heard himself swearing in shock.

In front of him were Thea and Cole sitting on a bench. While the old woman was rubbing and squeezing her hands in nervousness, his best friend sat emotionlessly staring at his shoes. However, they had one thing in common. Blood.

Both of their clothes were stained with blood as though they were playing with red paint.

Hunter's loud steps informed his arrival. Cole's face quickly hardened into a mask of fury while Thea burst into another round of heavy tears that made her face become red.

"Sir," Thea got up in respect, but the tremors in her voice froze Hunter.

He looked towards the closed door of the ward, trying to contemplate the severity of Claire's pain. There was no doubt that she hurt herself. But the point was... How?

As if Cole was a mind reader, he perceived the uncertainties playing in his friend's eyes and scoffed, "Thea, your boss would want a gist of what happened. Even though he ignored your calls and later on switched his phone off. But like the best Housekeeper you are, you must report everything to him."

Hunter kept quiet. He watched Cole shower him a contemptuous look. He would have loved to make him feel remorseful had he not received a call.

While Cole excused himself and left Hunter with Thea alone, the old lady covered her mouth to sob.

In the meanwhile Hunter stood watching her face with expectation to hear what happened. 

"M-madam swooned on top of the stairs and came rolling down, sir. Her head hurt and she wasn't breathing well when we brought her here." Hunter's shoulders slumped.

He stared at the door of the ward as his eyes hesitantly blinked. He recalled Cole mentioning that Claire starved herself. 

"Where the hell have you been when she was starving herself, Thea? Your duty is to take care of the house and keep her company. Why didn't you tell me anything about it when she was skipping meals?" 

"I... I tried, sir. But Madam refrained me whenever I tried to report it to you. She said it's between you and her. S-she said she won't touch food unless you sit with her and eat." She took her time to sob. 

When she spoke, Hunter's heart skipped a beat, "She was certain that you will come, sir. For Madam you're a caring husband. She confidently skipped her meals because she assumed that you would come running to her when you read her messages." 

After a pause she added, "You used to come home in time for her, sir. W-what has cha—" Thea lowered her face as Hunter threw her a cautioning gaze. 

She knew better when to stop her mouth. However, she couldn't help it because her employee had shown warmth to her madam that was visible to be true to her eyes. Her curiousity was all over the place, and like everyone else, she wondered why he became so heartless to the woman who has been so devoting to him? 

On the contrary, Hunter heaved nervously. He refused to admit that he was tensed. But deep down, his heart was falling apart. 

The messages. He remembered. 

Hunter grabbed his phone. His fingers twitched when he touched her name to access her chats. 

A torrent of amalgamated emotions plummeted on him. She wrote many things and one of them was rather written boastfully as if she knew it would happen. 

She wrote: I know you care, which is why I'm cutting down on my food intake, Hunter. From a fruit a day, I'll reduce it to a bite a day. I will not touch food unless you come home and eat with me. 

"You..." He fisted his other hand and swung around to throw daggers of frustration at the door of her ward. 

One of her messages read: I feel my intestines squeezing from hunger, Hunter. I'll definitely die of hunger if not this pain in my chest. Come home soon. 

"Your face is colorless, Hunter. Are you guilty? Do you blame yourself for this..." 

Cole was back, and right now he pointed at himself— basically the blood on his blue shirt. 

His face became dull as his eyes blinked with pity for his best friend's wife. 

"She was chanting your name in her unconsciousness, Hunter. Don't hurt her so much." Cole spoke softly. 

"Look, I know Zara is very special. But she was special in the past. For two years that she left, Claire took care of you like a baby. She's been patient with you and constantly smiling even if you threw a fit of frustration or ignored her. She's been holding onto you like one holds on a rock or outgrown root to prevent themselves from falling." Cole came closer. 

His gait was tired and it was a friend talking to his friend when he spoke, "Claire deserves your love and compassion, Hunter. She should be in your present and future. Not a lover who left you sulking to marry another." 

Hunter didn't react. But the frigidity of his gaze expressed many things. 

"Engulf her when she's still doting on you. Or else a time will come when you will crave for her attention and get silence in response."

After a moment of deafening silence Cole motioned at the door. 

"She's put to sleep for now. You can go and see her though." 

Hunter strutted towards the door quietly. Before he entered, Cole announced, "Reflect on what I said, homie. All of us wish the best for you. And your best lies in Claire's arms." 

Hunter swung the door ajar and the view of Claire nestled in bed, with machines around her, made his eyes freeze. Sitting on the stool he faintly caressed her hand that was pierced with IV drip needle. 

Her face has lost its rosy tint, her lips dry like withered petals of rose. Even then she appeared exquisitely beautiful. Marring her features was the white bandage on her forehead. On the left side, in the middle, was a circular patch of visible blood. 

Hunter touched it gently. Out of his own accord he bent down to kiss her dry lips. Instantly his body became awake. He caressed her cheek and stared at her face in surprise. 

This feeling he was feeling— of tranquility— rendered him motionless. He didn't feel this way when he kissed Zara either. 

He kissed her forehead and whispered to her, "Wake up, Claire. I like it when you're fighting me. Wake up and challenge me." 

***

"Wake up, Claire," That voice was edged with hoarseness. 

But it infused within her being a feeling of placidity. Claire could see black but deep down she felt her heart radiating in happiness. 

"Wake up and challenge me." The words boosted her courage. 

She battled with the heaviness in her body. Her lashes hurt as she forced them to open but when she eventually undid them, she found nobody. Claire was taking in her surroundings when she heard the voice again. 

"Cancel my schedule and turn all my meetings online. My wife is in the hospital so I will not come to work for a few days." 

Claire forgot to breathe when she saw him walking in. Her eyes glowed and a feeling of contentment filled her chest. 

"Hunter, you came." She whispered to herself as she saw him coming in. 

By that time Hunter had disconnected the call. Their eyes met, and what they felt, made both their bodies tremble. 

While a soft grin curved on Claire's dry lips, Hunter's twisted. Anger bubbled in his eyes as he recalled her messages. 

I'm cutting down on my food intake, Hunter. From a fruit a day, I'll reduce it to a bite a day. I will not touch food unless you come home and eat with me. 

"You..." He started, but it was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. 

Making a growling face Hunter regarded the caller ID. It was Enzo, the guard he appointed at his penthouse to take care of Zara. 

At that moment, Claire disappeared for him. All he could think of was Zara as he answered the call. 

"Hello," 

"S-sir," Enzo's voice was lethally tense. "Miss Levine is kidnapped."

"No way!!! My Zara can't... 

She..." Hunter lost his wits.

Claire watched him with a frown as she heard Zara's name.

"Hunter, what happened?" 

She was upset that she just got up and the first thing she listens from her husband is the name of his ex-lover.  

Much to her dismay, Hunter swung around and left her ward as if she wasn't his wife but any random woman who didn't deserve his attention.

Tbc...

 Hunter is collecting haters for himself, isn't he?

But poor Claire, shouldn't she just give up already? Would you strive to be with such man who wants to divorce you for his ex-lover? Comment and let us know.