It was dramatic, wasn't it? But with all the feelings Claire is feeling, will she give Hunter a benefit of doubt soon? Let me know what you think:)
220Claire's breathing splintered as she looked down at Tyler. He was trying to sit up straight as Avery held his shoulders, her own eyes streaming with tears and chest dithering with sobs. Claire felt her heart crushing at the sight of blood. Tyler did nothing wrong to get this. He wasn't even trying to woo her into noticing him. It was all her doing. She had wanted to use him against Hunter for revenge. She had thought of dragging him in. Seeing his blood made her blood rush in agony. Claire wanted to support Tyler and wipe his blood with her own hands. However, the crazy fit of rage she felt compelled her to turn Hunter. She slapped him again and pushed him back. Hunter staggered. The first slap was enough to stun him. He was not ready for the second one, and the push had caught him off guard. "What do you think of yourself? Just who are you to beat Tyler like this? It was my decision to come with him... I will go with whoever I want, Hunter MacIntyre. Don't you dare think that
221Hunter sat in his bed by the support of the headboard, his legs stretched, right one crossed over the left. His hands remained firmly folded across his chest as stared up at the ceiling in the darkness with a face devoid of emotions and his heart bleeding in pain.When he had boarded his private jet to come to RavenMoore the other day, he invented a weird psychological thing where he assumed his heart was Hundred percent charged and strong. Since this journey he had embarked on to win Claire back wasn't going to be easy- given his long list of sins- he needed to be strong. He needed a strong heart to face the repercussions as well. Hence, Hunter strengthened his heart. Though it was stupid, he decided that he was going to minus some percent from the hundred percent after each heartbreaking incident he would encounter. This way he would get to know how it feels to hurt someone, how it feels to shatter someone's heart. After all, you can't truly know what it's like to have a heart
222Hunter's heart slammed in his stomach as it throbbed everywhere in his body. His fingers curled and a tide of intense rage crashed within him. "Murphy, no." He shook his head in warning, his voice a low eerie snarl."No? Why no, Hunter? I gave you respite all these years. Don't you think it's time to pay back for your evil deeds done towards me. It's not like I'm doing it alone! Claire and I will do it together. This way you will only have to pay once for the crimes you committed towards two individuals separately. It's a favor done on you, isn't it?"Hunter fumed. His heaving chest indicated the kind of control he was having on himself. The pulse at his throat seemed to explode any time now, even then, it didn't stop Tyler from pushing his buttons further."I was silent all this while because I didn't want to disturb your married life. I'll be honest, you dazed me with your so-called picture perfect life. I thought you were happy and your wife whom I have never met before didn't
223Closing his eyes, Hunter took ten deep breaths to stabilize his emotions."Calm down, Hunter. Calm down. Calm down for Claire. She doesn't want a brute for a husband. She wants a loving and understanding man. You can be that for her. You are already that man for her. Calm down. Think about Claire. Just you and her. Just you and her. Just you and her."While he attempted to make himself resurface from the dark abyss of indignation, the sound of the creaking door stiffened his body. He tried to think of himself in another scenario with Claire by her side.'I'm not letting you have the satisfaction to see me lose my shit, Murphy. Not again. Not again.' He told himself as footsteps drummed in his ears as Tyler walked in again.Hunter was bracing himself for another provoking statement from him when, "Hunter, son, are you okay?"He opened his eyes to see Avery looking at him with concern. She has a tray of food in her hands and contrition in her eyes! Contrition? Hunter blinked his la
224Claire's POVMy toes curled, slowing my stride as I tried to step towards the bed. My heart had jumped into my throat as it contested with my rising emotions, making my breathing difficult. I stopped by the bed and stared at the surprise none other than Hunter would have prepared for me.My bed was decorated with rose petals, and amidst them sat a cute soft, white teddy bear holding a heart that read 'I'M SORRY' in bold and capital. He wasn't sitting there alone. He had a big bouquet of different shades of sunflowers set beside him and a tray of my favorite chocolates across from him. My fingers twitched as I grazed the head of the bear, my skin tingling with heat and anxiety.What was happening to me? Why was I feeling thrilled and touched by this gesture?It was nothing extraordinary, was it? Just an adulterer trying to right his wrongs. I shouldn't feel impressed. But that's where the problem lies! No matter how hard I tried to loathe him, he did something to weaken my resolve
225Claire's POV "Ares, I'm on a mission concerning my life and death. My wife is mad at me and I have a competitor fighting with me over her. Do you have any idea how fragile the situation is? One wrong move on my part and I'll lose Claire forever. So please, it's a hearty request, please... Take care of the meetings all by yourself." There was a pause and my curiosity compelled me to tiptoe ahead and peek inside. A surge of emotions left me breathless as my eyes widened. Hunter was walking around with a towel around his hips. His hair was damp, showing that he just had a bath. His strong shiny back made my heart lurch. This man and his strong physique, I recall using vibrators in the beginning of my obsession after laying my gaze on him. I used to imagine those strong arms around my body as he... I shook my head to clear my head. Turning away, I hardened my heart again. That's true that he's a walking distraction, I won't give in to his attempts. He hurt and used me enough. "I
226The jerk was taking pictures of me. I saw him move the phone in different angles to take different photos of me. The winds were favoring him because they blew my hair around, and I raised my hands to tame them. Some of the hair strands were stuck to my face and lips. I sighed as I sought after swiping them back. Hunter took more pictures, but there was no flash this time. Maybe he didn't want to attract the attention of the others on the table and shut the flash off. "Fine, I am sorry." Tyler said aloud while holding his ears. "No one can win an argument from you, Elder Mrs. Murphy. I surrender.""You better." Grandma humphed smugly. "Can we start eating, please. My stomach is churning in hunger!" "Sure, you can." Grandma Avery said and just then Hunter decided to appear. My skin rippled with goosebumps. His eyes were on me as he greeted Avery with a kiss on the cheek, "Hello, Avery, you're looking lovely today." "Hello, favorite person! You're just in time for breakfast. We
227I darted towards my room. He held my wrist and stopped me. When he turned me to face him, my heart pounded because Hunter was standing right behind him. His legs staggered watching Tyler hold my hand. But he didn't stop closing in on us. "Dove," He began. "I'm really—""Dove! Is that your nickname? I never heard of it." Tyler cut Hunter with his remark. "I call her Dove because she has pretty big and beautiful eyes which resemble a Dove bird's. Why? Do you have a problem?" Hunter drawled as he aggressively leaned towards Tyler. I was afraid that Hunter might pick a fight with Tyler again, so I pulled the latter with me. "It's no point talking to him. Let's go out." I spoke, feeling disgusted in Hunter's presence. "I don't feel like eating in the house anymore, Tyler. Will you take me out?" "Why not?" He smiled and forwarded his hand to me. Hunter was glaring at Tyler and his hand. When I took his hand, a growl expelled from deep in his chest. We both treated him with ignora
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