208A beat later, he resumed, "If all you need is someone to take the verbal blows for Hunter's mistakes, just say so, I'll stand here silently until you're finished."Claire silently cried. She looked away and even turned around to face the other side. Her tears struck his heart like poisoned arrows.Tyler hesitantly walked up to her, pausing behind her. He thought twice whether to touch her shoulder or not, then let his hand hang idly at his sides."Look, Claire, I really like you. And I'm sorry that you have to go through this. But trust me, my intention has never been to hurt you. Please don't cry.... it's hurting me too.""I don't know what's wrong with me but I can't see you in this pain. I can't touch you either as I'm afraid you'll accuse me of inappropriately touching you."Hearing his last few words, Claire spun around with blazing eyes and her mouth trembling insanely."Sorry? You're just sorry that you got caught up in my mess. You're sorry because you have to put up with m
209Their lips were aligned on the same level, a few inches away. He eyed her darkly, warning her to drop the act."I'm dead serious, Claire. Tell me why are you here?" His hard voice made her face turn pale.But she maintained her friendly demeanor and said, "I could have gone away with Penny, my only friend. But you see she's dating Hunter's best friend Cole. So I am strangled. I really need a change in environment, Tyler, and I hoped that maybe I could count on you.""Despite the fact that I like you? What are you trying to do, Claire?" His face drew a little closer as he bared his teeth.Claire's stomach twisted into a knot. She could see Tyler was another danger she had come to encounter. The only thing different about him was that when she was enraged, like a gentleman he was calm and endured her angry lashing. But that didn't change the fact that he was dangerous.However, he didn't freak her out. Because he was the man who introduced light in her dark world when she needed it t
210It was already morning when Hunter returned back home. The morning sky was pale with no sight of sun and the atmosphere was shrouded in haze. Gray clouds floated overhead as a quiet, eerie stillness pervaded the morning air as if the fog had muffled all sound, leaving only a deep and foreboding silence.Cole, who had been waiting in Hunter's house for him, saw movements in his peripheral vision and rose desperately. He heaved a sigh of relief and walked over to Hunter."Where the hell have you been, jerk? I asked everyone I could to reach out to you." Cole said tightly as his eyes roved over Hunter's features.Seeing the dull look on Hunter's face, the redness under his eyes and how ghostly pale he looked, his eyes shot up in daze."Hunter, buddy..." Cole touched his arm and was bewildered to find him wet.The t-shirt appeared dry at first, but it was damp beneath his fingers... And he was cold. Cole dragged Hunter to the couch and made him settle down. He wasn't waiting in the hou
211Hunter stood motionless in the bathroom in front of the sink. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, right into his jet black eyes. A maelstrom of thoughts and emotions swirled in the dark pool of his eyes. Pain. Guilt. Desperation. Disgust at himself. Love for Claire. Above all... There was fright. Fright of losing Claire.Hunter tried to move but he found himself helplessly locked in his spot. His limbs seemed to have turned to stone, and his chest grew heavy like a dozen thick books were placed on it. Every breath he dragged was rugged... And deep. And shaky.When he blinked his eyes, tears escaped and strolled down his chiseled face. Hunter stared at the man he had become. A man full of flaws and lots of mistakes.Although he was still as handsome as he was before, he was a changed man now. He could feel emotions now. Emotions that clawed through him. Emotions that made his heart constrict. Emotions that made him realize what a loser he was starting to become in his pers
212Dominic's mouth twisted into a scowl. He poured himself a glass of water and drank it."Being the father of a daughter, I’m well aware of how society works! People smile at you. They show respect outwardly in front of your face. But they mock you the moment you turn around.” He paused. “This society is quick to tear you apart behind your back when your family problems become public."Dominic's eyes softened as his voice became small as he added, "I can’t bear the thought of them talking badly about my daughter when I’m not around, especially after everything she’s already been through.""The way you’re working so hard to win her back, society will view your desperation as devotion. They’ll praise you for returning after owning up to your mistakes. After all, a grieving husband coming back to his wife is a tale everyone loves." His eyes hardened as he looked back at Hunter. "You know what, Hunter, as men, we have this unspoken advantage that no matter what happens, we’re always giv
213"Oh my god! Look who we've got here!?" Grandma Avery yanked Claire in a hug that made her stumble. Claire smiled from ear to ear. She was not expecting this kind of excitement and welcome from the old lady. The last time she was here, she caused quite a stir, and even made the old grandma cry. She cursed Hunter for ruining her visit previously. But this time she was looking forward to having a good time, and even apologized to Avery for destroying her anniversary party. "Hello, grandma." Claire hugged her, feeling a little uncertain about how to greet her as the embarrassment from earlier reddened her face. "Such flat and dry hello?! Don't tell me you're mortified because of what happened on my anniversary party?" Claire nodded apologetically and Grandma Avery caressed her face. "Oh dear! I've forgotten that night a long time ago. I'd suggest you leave it in the past and move on." The happiness on her face warmed Claire's heart. She followed her inside the living room and ne
214"Just by looking in the eyes of a man, you get to know his feelings, Tyler. And I've seen he deeply loves Claire. It was there in his eyes. He's been remorseful and restless to be with her when he last came here." Tyler froze and turned around, astonished at his grandmother's words. "And if that wench has really played him, it would've only made his love and regret stronger. Hunter will not let go of her easily. He will win her back.""It's not that easy, grandma! Claire doesn't want him anymore." Tyler stated with a hint of distaste. Avery chuckled as she shook her head, "That's what she says... What you say isn't often what you really want, Tyler. She's just angry. She will go back to Hunter if he fights for her." "You're wrong, grandma. Claire's words and wants are alike. She doesn't want him. Hunter fúcked up badly this time." "We say a lot of things in anger. Are they what we often mean to say? No. That's just overlapping frustration we let out in a fit of rage. Claire's
215Avery stayed quiet. Her grandson was going on the wrong path, thinking extremely wrong things regarding his future. But she didn't speak this time. Tyler was enraged, and anything she said would come as an arrow to him. Later in the evening when Claire came out, she looked rather dull and sad. Avery was sitting on the couch trying to knit a muffler. She noticed Claire coming out and waved at her, but she didn't call for her as she found her appearance surprising. The air of tiredness clung to her. The glow that comes on a person after taking a nap doesn't look like that, do they? They look rejuvenated and fresh. "I'm here, darling." Avery finally spoke, calling Claire over. Claire walked towards her and sat beside her. Her smile was small but the curiosity in her eyes was intense, "What are you knitting?" "A muffler." Avery grinned as she resumed twisting and gliding the long needles around to create a beautiful pattern. "For who? This rather looks short in size so I assume i
261She took Claire's hand and stroked the back, "Well, I was one of those who had problems with your wedding with Hunter. I didn't like him. But over the months since your divorce, I have seen many changes in him. His love is genuine, Claire. The man didn't hesitate to kneel in a crowded place to please you, do you really think he would go back on his promises after doing so much for you?"Penny looked at her expectantly, hoping her words would have an effect. Claire only looked away and it blossomed her resentment."I haven't seen a dumber woman in my life!" Penny rose to her feet. "Hunter's literally crawling on a minefield to get to you and your stubbornness is one step away from making him explode with one of the mines. You will lose him forever if you don't stop it, Claire."Penny sauntered to the door, her feet thudding loudly on the tiled floor."Perhaps you want to see his body in a coffin to realize what you're doing to him and yourself.” Claire gasped at her words, her feat
260Penny didn't waver, "Girl, Hunter's character is deeper and darker than silent mysterious waters in the ocean. The last time Tia insulted you in the old Murphy Mansion during Grandma Avery's anniversary, Hunter burned her favorite car in revenge and in warning to stay away from you... And we saw how he pummeled Tyler for being around you.""H-he burned her car!!!" "Yeah, Cole told me. Anyway, do you think that after Tyler and you kissed, he saw him leaving your room and believing that you two had séx while he was in the next room, after Tia raised a knife on you to harm you, after bleeding for you… After all this— will he really stay quiet?"Claire recoiled in shock, wrapping her arms around her legs. She felt cold from all the assessment Penny made her do. "I... I'm speechless." "The answer to my question is— No, Hunter won't stay quiet. He's plotting his plan in silence and when it is the right time, he will unleash his attack on the Murphys.""....""Btw," Penny moved closer
259She knew she started off ridiculously. But it was her jumbled up emotions. Firstly, Hunter was annoying her. And then she saw Penny after such a long time. The friend within her, who had missed her other half— her bestie, was reawakened.The first glance Claire had taken at Penny after stepping inside the house was enough to realize that— had she been by her side wherever she wasn't, she might have prevented her from committing some of the mistakes she now regretted. The kiss with Tyler, for instance."You can stay here if you like. I'll just go up and..." Claire's tear-stricken voice came out slow and hoarse. "Take a shower! I also need to take care of this thing and figure out how to cover it."Claire started walking away when Penny asked, "What is that by the way?" "Oh, this is nothing. Someone just pressed a knife to my throat in the parking lot." Penny's blood ran cold. She immediately held Claire's hand to stop her. "Are you serious?" She lifted her chin a bit to see her
258"You have no idea what I want with you and how desperate I'm to have that. I've made mistakes, Claire, and I'm about to clear them up and make everything better. You just need to be a little soft and let me in." He spoke resignedly. "Be a little soft and let you in?" Claire growled angrily as she threw daggers at him. "You say things that hurt and then you disappear for days. Then you show up only when you hear I've been troubled. How is this going to make anything better? You don't keep your word and only act when it's convenient for you.” "I didn't disappear! I was just— wait!" Hunter fluttered his eyelids as a smirk unfurled on his lips. "Did you just say that I said things that hurt? By that, are you referring to what I said at the airport— about letting you go? Did that scare you, Dove? Did you really think I will not show you my face again? Damn, did you really think I was going to give up on us?"Crimson colored her cheeks as she redirected her gaze outside. Her eyes wide
257Claire sat heaving angrily beside Hunter. Her hands were folded under her breasts and she glared out without caring to fasten the seat belt. Hunter noticed it and said, "Claire, buckle up your seat belt."He was ignored brutally. He sighed as he tried again. This time Claire snapped her head towards him like a Python warning humans to leave it alone if they didn't want a painful bite."Fine, I'll do it for you."Hunter unclasped his own seat belt to come and help her. However, she thrusted a hand at his shoulder to keep him away."Touch me and you'll be dead meat!""I won't, now do it. We don't have time to waste, Claire. I told you I have a meeting!" He eyed the belt."It's none of my concern whether you have a meeting or not. I didn't ask you to drop me home. Now bear with it.""Claire..." Hunter sighed as he peered at her with a ‘what am I going to with you’ yet loving gaze. Claire fumed and looked out of the window. She wouldn't be acting this way if it wasn't for what she h
256“No thanks, sheriff. Just take my statement and I'll get going.” Claire spoke, but the sheriff insisted she take the almonds first. He was acting weird. He was being extraordinarily friendly and dusted the chair before she sat down too. She heaved because she knew the root cause. Although she was the daughter of a well-respected man in the country, she was being well-treated because of her connection with Hunter.Through her the Sheriff wanted to impress Hunter. Quelling down her frustration, she glared at Alexa... The culprit behind all this. Alexa shrugged with an apologetic look as she tried to speak with the sheriff. "Sir, we were at Paragon Mall shopping... And our friend was just attacked in the parking lot. Someone put a knife to her throat."Yara stood behind Claire, holding her shoulders. She nodded her head to confirm Alexa was telling the truth before she removed Claire's hair out of her shoulder and neck. "See here. It's not big but it could have been dangerous."
255 "What do I want?" The man chuckled behind the mask. He trailed the tip of the knife on Claire's jaw and pierced the tip back on the pulse at her throat. She gasped and shivered as the man laughed. "It's not about what I want— it's about what they want... And they want to see her bleed." Claire gulped, listening to the man carefully. She was in tears, her nerves were frayed, but she could infer someone had sent the man to scare her. Yes, it was supposed to scare her because the man had enough time to kill her but he hadn't.He was taking his time to frighten the girls. His hold on the knife didn't indicate that he meant to slit her throat. It was a facade. "Who is it? Who wants my blood?" Claire asked and the man was taken aback. "I was warned about that mouth of yours!" He sniggered. "They weren't wrong." "Who is it? Is it... Zara?" Claire guessed and the man froze. He stared at her, and those eyes looked familiar. She was thinking where she saw them when the man shook her
254Two days later,"Do you really think this suits me? I... Don't really like the... Color! It looks dull on me." Her voice wavered with doubt as she peered at herself in the mirror."You are looking like a glass of hot chocolate! Trust me, every other woman at the party is going to be jealous of you, Claire. Just choose this dress!" Yara exclaimed with glimmering eyes. The girls have come to a mall to buy dresses for themselves for an informal party organized by Prince Rashid. Although the official gathering to introduce projects was postponed to the end of this month, he expressed his desire to meet and greet everyone in person to know everyone better before getting down to the real business. He was being charitable too given he sent out gift cards and opportunities to women to shop from famous brands for the party. The men were sent tailored suits to choose from, and the party was held at the biggest banquet hall in Bloomcrest— White Pearl. It was not usually available for book
253Rashid stood beside his wife as he smiled at Hunter. A hand going around Kareena, he kissed her hair and admired his daughter giggling in his friend's arms. While Hunter was fidgeting with her, she seemed happy. "Her name is Nour, the light of our eyes." Rashid said. Hunter's body was alight with emotions that brought tears to his eyes. A baby... He was holding a baby! The feeling of having a bundle of joy in arms, at first, brought sadness and a reminder of the baby he and Claire lost. Wouldn't he have been this big— in Claire's belly? As he looked at Nour, the feelings in his heart were replaced with happiness and warmth. He forgot about his grief and hesitantly lifted a finger to caress her chubby cheek. "Hey, baby." Hunter whispered and Nour gave out a squeal of joy at him. "She's only that happy around her father, Hunter. She cries in other men's arms. But it looks like she likes you." Kareena stated as she came closer to touch the head of her daughter. The minute she