336Claire felt the strings of her heart tug and stretch taut. She could feel herself getting lost again. Lost in the depth of his feelings. Lost in the labyrinth of his intense gaze. Hunter wasn't just looking at her, he was pulling her in like a magnet. He was compelling her to let herself loose in his arms again, and let him do what he wished to do with her.With a jolt, she broke free from his grip. Not again. She told herself. She wasn't going to leave herself at his mercy. She's done it thrice and got hurt each time.Moving away, Claire tucked her hair behind her ears and brushed past him to create distance."Where are my bags?" She asked to change the topic.Hunter stared at her for a good minute before he frowned, "Bags? What bags?"Claire gave him a stern look in return as she folded her hands."You sent Reggie to get my st
335Claire's hands trembled on the handle of the door as she gazed out of the window at the looming mansion that had once been the house of her dreams. She swallowed past the knot forming in her throat as she held herself together. She didn't want to do this. She hadn't done this ever since she left this house after signing the divorce papers. And yet, after all these months, after all the determination and resolution— she was standing here, watching the house while trying not to cry. She came out of the car with Hunter following after her. He was still dressed in his suit, but the doctors had placed his arm in a sling. Since his body was far from recovery and the gunshot wound was very much fresh, sudden activity could worsen the injury. Also, after being unconscious for four days, he wasn't strong enough to carry himself without support. Hence, the sling was meant to stabilize him and ease the pressure on his chest.Anyway, when Hunter noticed her shoulders shaking and tears in h
334"Let go, Claire. I have so much work pending." Hunter said. "Drop this stubborn act and listen to the doctors, Hunter. You are not completely healed." She caught him glaring at her with obvious irritation.She ignored it and motioned him to walk back inside. "Why should I listen to you when you've been ignoring me all this time? I'm fine... And I listened to the doctors! I can leave here. It's you who should stop pretending like nothing happened, Claire. Your plan is blown." He smirked while the doctor who had mistakenly blurted that he could leave flushed in remorse."You thought you could fool me into staying here? Too bad that the doctors can't lie that professionally."Cole and Claire shared a look of defeat. Over these days, they had also reconciled with an inevitable conversation and a hug. Cole apologized for being cold to her and Claire shared her feelings with him. Towards the end they decided to work together and try to keep Hunter in the hospital for as long as it was
333Claire's eyes darkened in rage. She sometimes hated herself for loving this man so much. He had no nice trait if she looked closer. He was stubborn. He was grumpy. He took everyone for granted!Tamping down her frustration, Claire trudged towards the bed and appraised his face with not even a sliver of mercy."What did you do to your mother? Why was she crying outside?""Mom was crying?" Hunter was taken aback. He tried to sit up and Claire just watched him. She didn't even try to come and help him."I did nothing.""You sure... Or is it just that you don't realize it? Like you always don't." She spat outrageously."Mom wanted to stay here. I just asked dad to stop her. She doesn't need to tire herself after me. That's all that happened."Claire gave him a look between disgust and disbelief. She seethed and averted her gaze before she exploded. He was not in the condition to take her verbal abuse. And she sure as hell did not intend to give him a reason to use her actions made in
332Claire had been sleeping in Hunter's car in the parking lot all night.After she had fed him last night, she came down to sit where she had spent four days in the hospital while he was unconscious. She didn't know where else to go nor did she wish to go back to his ward.Sure, the couch installed in the corner of his room appeared cozy and fluffy; it would have seemed that she'd forgiven him if she stayed. She can't leave either because her heart wouldn't allow her to.Hence, she came to the lounge and plopped down on the bench. It was raining again. The winds, though, were quite harsher and colder tonight. Claire was hugging her shoulders when Reggie came and forcefully took her to the parking lot.He opened the car for her, pushed the seats back in the back (for they were adjustable) and created a make-do bed for her."Sir would kill me if I let you spe
331"Is that only why you came— to talk back to that annoying woman?" Hunter's voice was soft, and his hold on her wrist brittle and forceless. Claire could twist her hand free if she wanted. Well, she didn't even have to twist it. Just the harmless act of pulling her hand away would have done the deed.But she stood there, hung there actually, as she let the hotness of his fingers transfer on her cold skin. She was actually remorseful. What she felt right now was a thousand times worse than what she felt when Hunter was shot."I don't think I should stay. Do you realize it or not... It's because of me that you are—""I'm only here because that useless man missed his shot… Which I'm glad he did. I wouldn't have been able to handle myself if you were here. I can't even think about it.” Hunter sighed as he let go of her hand. "Anyway I won't stop you if you don't want to. In fact, you should just go. You must be tired. Go and sleep."Claire slightly tilted her head to look at him. Hunt