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
228Hunter's PovMy heart swelled triple of its usual size and wanting to jump from my mouth into my hand so it could show to everyone how delighted I was! Yes, my nerves were dancing in happiness and my heart was too excited to contain this happiness.Claire was sitting next to me. It was like a dream come true. That night after she heard my confession and left me alone on the dark and lonely road, I thought it was over. I thought that she wouldn't spare me a single glance after that.But yesterday when she saw me, the relief and happiness was visible in her baby blue eyes. She was soothed but her anger didn't let her show it. And that slap, I won't deny that it didn't hurt me, but that slap was a way to show that she hated me a lot. But I know my Dove. She will never hate me.She had several reasons to hate and never see me again, and all those times she came running into my arms.So she's hardly angry at me. But if I make a little effort then I'm sure the ice around her heart will
229Hunter's POV Pain clawed through my chest as a smile of agony unrolled on my lips. My eyes weren't moist but the bite of her words made my eyes burn. So much hatred? This should not stun me, but damn, it did. It did more than I was capable of describing it in words. I gazed at her, trying to force a smile despite the deep pain in my chest. I reached out a hand to grab hers and put it back on my bleeding forearm. "Why wait for karma to do what you can do to me now, Dove?" I guided her long nails to my skin and made her scratch me. She gave me a look with her left brow going high, "Are you challenging me? I'm not the old Claire, Hunter MacIntyre. She was easy to fool and manipulate. Don't even dare to think that the thought of hurting you would cause my mind to spin.""All I'm trying to do is bring my old Claire back..." I kept the smile which I could see was aggravating her. "And if this is the only way... Then be it." Her nails pricked my skin enough to cause a burning sensati
230Hunter's POV "I'm the one bleeding and it's your eyes that are shedding tears. Isn't it a little weird, Dove?" She froze, I saw her knuckles turn white from clenching her fingers too tight to keep her emotions in check. But she failed and it made my body hum in gratitude. It's a relief that her heart still cares even though her eyes show deep hatred. "Your curses... I've been thinking about them since you first cursed me, Dove. I won't hide how much it hurts to hear all those words. They make my heart bleed. I wonder if you are really so desperate to see my blood. But... Is this how it’ll be when I’m bleeding and suffering in torment?" I moved back so I could look at her face. My darling was glowing red. Her cute nose seemed like a cherry tomato while the rims around her eyes shimmered a pinkish red. Her wet lashes shadowed her admirable cheeks as her full lips quivered from each sob that left them. "Gosh, if this is how you're going to cry, I swear I'll throw myself under a t
231Hunter's POV"HUNTERRRRRR!" A loud shriek left Claire's mouth before she leapt towards me.Her arms curled around my neck as she tugged me back, away from the line of the truck. We missed it by a few inches. The driver yelled at me from the side mirror, calling me an idiot, before he sighed in relief.Indeed, a dangerous accident was avoided by mere inches. Thanks to my Dove.I was on the ground, ice under my back. As much as I wanted to shift away to get rid of the frosty pangs I remained stock-still. A smile crept on my lips as I wrapped my arms around Claire who was on top of me.Her head was on my shoulder as her face stayed pressed in the crook of my neck. Her heavy exhalation sent a current to my dick as it compelled me to embrace her more tightly.I'm such a dick head. My stupid attempt overwhelmed her to an extent that left her trembling intensely. Her chest heaved against mine and her sobs rang in my ear like a loud clap of thunder."Dove," I hated to interrupt this momen
232Also, there's one thing I realized. She wanted this... But not with the man who cheated on her. I felt as though I was being ripped apart. I felt that it would have been better to come under a truck than be here in the car with Claire while she was cowering away from me. I can't describe how I felt as I moved away. I pulled my t-shirt back to wear it. Once it was on, I hesitated to make her look at me. Claire was staring in the space between her knees and chest as she sat with her arms locked around her knees. She was so pale that it ached to see her. The thought of touching her scared me as if I would hurt her with my touch. "What do you want me to do, Claire?" I sighed as I was totally blank.I haven't even started a day ago and it's already wearing me out. Will I ever seek her forgiveness? Seeing how she's shivering from my forced kiss, it seems like she was molested.Her pale face made me feel worse as her lips appeared swollen and assaulted. I stretched a hand out to make h
233"But, baby, I am happy that I took it off, else it would have been sitting like a huge rock on my chest. I wanted you to know about those times so we could start afresh. My only mistake was that I shared it at the wrong time... And you were not ready for it. I shouldn't have—" "Cut to the chase, MacIntyre! Apology. I want your apology, not your boring 'I am guilty' speech." Claire raised an eye arrogantly while the crowd around her twisted their lips or showed their annoyance in different ways.My speech was touching them, possessing their hearts and Claire probably noticed that and cut in. Even the girl with the camera scowled but her face softened when she looked at me. She whispered something into the mic on her collar as I focused back on Claire. My eyebrows creased seeing her looking behind me with a red face as if she would burst into tears now. When I chanced a glance behind, my heart stopped beating and fear engulfed me. Bloody Murphy! What was he doing here? How did he
234Claire glanced at the clock in the room for the Nth time with her burning red eyes. Tears never stopped and no matter how much she tried to distract herself, she was thrown back into the setting at the tourist spot with Hunter on his knees in front of her while she arrogantly waited for him to apologize in the crowded place.She hadn't assumed Hunter would do it. He was a man who wore his pride as a crown and not once did he let him head lower. He was invincible and extremely powerful.Alas, she made it happen what even his powerful enemies couldn't do after spending millions of money. She brought him on his knees and even had a vlogger record his video. She was afraid to check the social media and all the comments on the posts regarding Hunter's apology making rounds online.Claire was hyperventilating as Hunter's images didn't let her relax. She tried to get some fresh air and walked towards the window. The winds were cold but she was still feeling suffocated. She tried to medita
237There was slight fog outside the window when Claire opened her eyes in the morning. She felt goosebumps on her bare arms and her feet stung the moment she put them on the floor. There was no sun out and the sky was gloomy just like her thoughts. Claire hugged her arms and let out a sigh. Her temples were throbbing. She hadn't gotten the best of sleep last night. Her mind was occupied by the event of the afternoon, Hunter's images making her mind numb. She cried even on her pillow after Tyler left. His company was soothing. He made her feel better, but when he stepped out of her room, the air had become tense and stuffy again. She spent most of the hours twisting from one side to another. She recalled it was during the lift of darkness when she drifted off to sleep. Claire looked at the clock on the wall. Not much time has passed since she slept. Just two hours. She was gazing out when something crept within her, making her lean on the sill of the window and look out to her righ
236Claire was taken aback. She chuckled, realizing Tyler was siding with Hunter. She didn't call him out for defending Hunter and kept the conversation going. "Yeah, Zara and her leave... I know that. He was depressed by her departure." She said so flatly that Tyler couldn't help but wince. "God, I think I know why you're so pissed. You have two solid reasons. One is obviously Hunter's confession and second is Zara. You're holding those both against him to make him pay, aren't you?""It was never a secret!" "It wasn't, I know, but Claire..." Tyler heaved. "Well, as a person who was cheated and abandoned by his lover, I can understand both of your feelings. I know what it feels to know when your lover has betrayed you. And I also know what it feels like when they leave you without a proper closure.""So Claire..." Tyler stiffened his shoulders. "From a man's perspective, I don't think what Hunter did was wrong. I mean, it was wrong to you but as a man we don't have many ways to take
235"Shít! I'm sorry, Claire. I didn't think it would tear. I'm sorry." Tyler spoke ruefully. He watched as Claire's face paled and some tears strolled out of her eyes. The room was engulfed by vulnerable silence again and the tension returned. Despite that Tyler smiled seeing her reaction. 'You're very lucky, Hunter. How much I wish Ezma felt this way after sleeping with you. But that bítch had no remorse on her face. She even seemed relaxed about getting rid of me.' He mused and tried to take the letter from her. He reached out for the two pieces of the paper. Claire gave him a warning look as if it was her heart he was asking for, not the letter. The cracks on her lips amazed him, prompting him to smile wider. 'Claire even wounded her mouth for kissing me. This is the love I desire in my life. On the other hand, I tasted ugly betrayal. Ezma hadn't even tried to cover herself when I found her naked in bed beside your sleeping figure, Hunter.' The faint ache in Tyler's chest from
234Claire glanced at the clock in the room for the Nth time with her burning red eyes. Tears never stopped and no matter how much she tried to distract herself, she was thrown back into the setting at the tourist spot with Hunter on his knees in front of her while she arrogantly waited for him to apologize in the crowded place.She hadn't assumed Hunter would do it. He was a man who wore his pride as a crown and not once did he let him head lower. He was invincible and extremely powerful.Alas, she made it happen what even his powerful enemies couldn't do after spending millions of money. She brought him on his knees and even had a vlogger record his video. She was afraid to check the social media and all the comments on the posts regarding Hunter's apology making rounds online.Claire was hyperventilating as Hunter's images didn't let her relax. She tried to get some fresh air and walked towards the window. The winds were cold but she was still feeling suffocated. She tried to medita
233"But, baby, I am happy that I took it off, else it would have been sitting like a huge rock on my chest. I wanted you to know about those times so we could start afresh. My only mistake was that I shared it at the wrong time... And you were not ready for it. I shouldn't have—" "Cut to the chase, MacIntyre! Apology. I want your apology, not your boring 'I am guilty' speech." Claire raised an eye arrogantly while the crowd around her twisted their lips or showed their annoyance in different ways.My speech was touching them, possessing their hearts and Claire probably noticed that and cut in. Even the girl with the camera scowled but her face softened when she looked at me. She whispered something into the mic on her collar as I focused back on Claire. My eyebrows creased seeing her looking behind me with a red face as if she would burst into tears now. When I chanced a glance behind, my heart stopped beating and fear engulfed me. Bloody Murphy! What was he doing here? How did he
232Also, there's one thing I realized. She wanted this... But not with the man who cheated on her. I felt as though I was being ripped apart. I felt that it would have been better to come under a truck than be here in the car with Claire while she was cowering away from me. I can't describe how I felt as I moved away. I pulled my t-shirt back to wear it. Once it was on, I hesitated to make her look at me. Claire was staring in the space between her knees and chest as she sat with her arms locked around her knees. She was so pale that it ached to see her. The thought of touching her scared me as if I would hurt her with my touch. "What do you want me to do, Claire?" I sighed as I was totally blank.I haven't even started a day ago and it's already wearing me out. Will I ever seek her forgiveness? Seeing how she's shivering from my forced kiss, it seems like she was molested.Her pale face made me feel worse as her lips appeared swollen and assaulted. I stretched a hand out to make h
231Hunter's POV"HUNTERRRRRR!" A loud shriek left Claire's mouth before she leapt towards me.Her arms curled around my neck as she tugged me back, away from the line of the truck. We missed it by a few inches. The driver yelled at me from the side mirror, calling me an idiot, before he sighed in relief.Indeed, a dangerous accident was avoided by mere inches. Thanks to my Dove.I was on the ground, ice under my back. As much as I wanted to shift away to get rid of the frosty pangs I remained stock-still. A smile crept on my lips as I wrapped my arms around Claire who was on top of me.Her head was on my shoulder as her face stayed pressed in the crook of my neck. Her heavy exhalation sent a current to my dick as it compelled me to embrace her more tightly.I'm such a dick head. My stupid attempt overwhelmed her to an extent that left her trembling intensely. Her chest heaved against mine and her sobs rang in my ear like a loud clap of thunder."Dove," I hated to interrupt this momen
230Hunter's POV "I'm the one bleeding and it's your eyes that are shedding tears. Isn't it a little weird, Dove?" She froze, I saw her knuckles turn white from clenching her fingers too tight to keep her emotions in check. But she failed and it made my body hum in gratitude. It's a relief that her heart still cares even though her eyes show deep hatred. "Your curses... I've been thinking about them since you first cursed me, Dove. I won't hide how much it hurts to hear all those words. They make my heart bleed. I wonder if you are really so desperate to see my blood. But... Is this how it’ll be when I’m bleeding and suffering in torment?" I moved back so I could look at her face. My darling was glowing red. Her cute nose seemed like a cherry tomato while the rims around her eyes shimmered a pinkish red. Her wet lashes shadowed her admirable cheeks as her full lips quivered from each sob that left them. "Gosh, if this is how you're going to cry, I swear I'll throw myself under a t
229Hunter's POV Pain clawed through my chest as a smile of agony unrolled on my lips. My eyes weren't moist but the bite of her words made my eyes burn. So much hatred? This should not stun me, but damn, it did. It did more than I was capable of describing it in words. I gazed at her, trying to force a smile despite the deep pain in my chest. I reached out a hand to grab hers and put it back on my bleeding forearm. "Why wait for karma to do what you can do to me now, Dove?" I guided her long nails to my skin and made her scratch me. She gave me a look with her left brow going high, "Are you challenging me? I'm not the old Claire, Hunter MacIntyre. She was easy to fool and manipulate. Don't even dare to think that the thought of hurting you would cause my mind to spin.""All I'm trying to do is bring my old Claire back..." I kept the smile which I could see was aggravating her. "And if this is the only way... Then be it." Her nails pricked my skin enough to cause a burning sensati