There's an Indian song which goes perfectly with the book's current plot. You're welcomed to check it.
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
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
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
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 right
238Claire was unable to breath. Her skin was burning even though he wasn't touching her anywhere. Her brows furrowed. He. Wasn't. Touching. Her. Why? She gazed in his eyes and saw the answer. He was hurt. He. Was. Hurt. His hands trembled at his sides. Hunter had never wanted anything more than to touch her after he realized he loved her. However, last night was painful. He counted hours, his ears on high alert, hoping to hear any sound coming from her room. But all he heard was Tyler leave— three hours later. Hunter's teeth clenched recalling Tyler Murphy's parting remark. "It was fun, Claire! We should do it often."It's not like Hunter didn't know what they were doing, but Tyler making it obvious through his remark exhausted his remaining battery percent on love meter that he was left with. The somberness whipped into his features was the outcome of exhaustion he suffered last night. "We can continue this game in our country and I have a feeling you have a lot to catch up wit
282"Why are we here, Hunter? I don't have good memories attached to this place." Claire's voice was emotionless and a little hoarse."Do you trust me, Dove?" Hunter said over his shoulder.Claire didn't answer right away, and when she did... It was a small nod, although her eyes displayed her uncertainty."Then ask your heart to calm down. I won't do anything that would multiply your bad memories. Not on purpose!"Claire took a lingering gaze at him before she nodded again and carefully got down of the bike. She looked around into the dark as her heart kicked up a notch. All the excitement she had been feeling since the moment she saw Hunter had drained out of her. Her hands turned cold and she stuck closer to Hunter for his warmth. She ought to feel this way, after all, he's brought her to the place where she experienced her second heartbreak— The Lake.The sky was indigo overhead and the air was cool. The silhouettes of trees around made her jittery. Insects chirped menacingly and
281Although Dominic had been reluctant in the beginning, he told his wife that Hunter had called him a while before the dinner. He wanted to come to their mansion for some reason. Dominic revealed that Hunter prepared some kind of gift for their daughter, and needed his help to execute it. His request was to dim down the lights of the lamps around their garden so Hunter could have a dark set-up. And then the next thing that happened was that they heard commotion outside their window. Since their room was on the ground floor, they heard and saw everything. Hunter was in the garden, and he wasn't alone. His guards were there to help him whatever he planned to do for Claire. Dominic and Andrea also read the messages on the cardboards that Hunter held. One can say that Hunter's surprise proposal wasn't really a secret. His In-laws— correction, his ex-in-laws, who were about to become his in-laws again, had front-row seats to the whole thing.They read every message, saw every express
280"I know I was once the person Scott wanted to be like. But after what I did to you, his sister, he's lost all respect for me. I know he wouldn't hesitate to stab me the second he gets the opportunity." Hunter paused. "I don't consider that wrong because what I've done is enough reason for someone to put a blade through my heart.""Hunter!" Claire glared at him, but obviously it was so dark that he couldn't see it. But her hold around his neck, it indicated that she was disappointed. "I'm telling the truth, Claire. What do you think? That I'm only committing my mistakes in front of you. If that's what you think then you don't know me at all." The determination in his voice steeled her spine. "Fixing things with you was my first step toward fixing everything I destroyed." "Your forgiveness meant everything because if you could forgive me, then maybe the others would too. My goal is to make things right with everyone in your family, especially Scott."Claire's jaw unhinged. She was
279"Really?" He sounded playful.Claire hummed near his face and cupped his jaw, "I adore how you tackle challenges head-on and always come out on top." She paused, pecked him on the lips and added, "For me, you're a true champion and that's what captivated my heart.""You think too highly of me.""I just know that you're very skillful and...""And?" Hunter leaned in closer, depositing all his wait on her.Claire's lips tugged at the corners. An idea struck and she pushed him away. Hunter frowned at the loss of contact. But the push stirred his thoughts awake and he realized he was here on a mission. "You didn't answer my question!""What question?" Claire asked playfully."About being my girlfriend.""I'll think about it." She got out of his hold as she stifled her laughs.It was dark so she couldn't see his expression. But from what she knew about him, she knew he was boiling on the inside. Despite being one of the most successful men, he was grumpy and had very little to no pati
278Claire wasn't happy. Hunter did make mistakes, but that didn't make him a loser. A loser would never accept his mistake. A loser always avoids it and often others have to guilt-trip him to take responsibility for his actions. That, or he's blamed until he's forced to accept his mistakes. However, he would never willingly own up to them. Claire had a big lecture to give to him on this topic. She showed a phone sign with her finger as she put it near her ear, indicating that she was going to call him. But Hunter quickly shook his head and motioned down at the cardboard. Not many were left and Claire decided to stay. She probably read the worst ones, she deemed, as she folded her hands and waited for him to reveal the new messages. It read: On the other hand, you're so charming, honest, kind and considerate. Another one said: I'm nothing in front of you. Another one: Everyone loves you for who you are. As for me... He sighed self-loathingly as he revealed a new card: They can'
277Claire took a deep breath as she lifted her upper body by the midriff and took a glance towards the window. The curtains were drawn and a soft breeze was billowing it. Her heart pounded loudly as her face began to heat up.The sadness she was drowning in earlier got replaced by excitement and an utter sense of delight. Her body was alight with all sorts of gleeful emotions. She nervously swallowed as her nerves were getting the better of her. With slow and unrushed movements, Claire lifted the blanket from her body and rolled out of the bed. She took baby steps towards the window because the thrill of going there made her body jittery. The distance suddenly seemed too long.But when she reached there and drew the curtains apart and looked down— it was worth it!Her lips curled up and her cheeks numbed from all the heat she was feeling in her face. Claire was filled with uncontainable joy because HUNTER WAS STANDING DOWN THERE, outside her window.He waved a hand at her as his mout
276Claire shut the door with a bang and threw herself on bed, pulling the blanket over her. Her chest ached from trying to control her sobbing while her eyes flashed with the images of Scott's disgusted expressions. The pain she felt was unimaginable.They hurt more because they came from her only sibling— her protective sibling who had promised to burn the world to make her happy.She recalled Scott's desperation from months ago when she had discovered that she was pregnant. He was willing to give her baby the love of a father and take care of her the way she deserved as a pregnant lady. He never left her alone, always lingering around as if it was his responsibility to make sure she and the baby were fine.But the bitter words he said today, the anger he showed... It made her heart shatter into pieces.Claire covered her mouth to suppress her sobs. For her, it was a wonderful day today. She felt amazing when she shared her feelings with Hunter. She was thrilled beyond explanation w
275The way he spoke with authority made Claire's jaw tighten. It was as if he were the older sibling and she the younger one— not the other way around."Let go of my hand, Scott! I'm not in the mood to talk." Claire eyed him sternly. "Then make your mood, Claire. Because I'm not letting you go until we finish this conversation." Scott shrugged his shoulders uncaringly. He held her hand tightly and gave her a challenging look, making her seethe. "Stop being annoying, Scott. Let go." "Answer my questions first. Was Penny the only company you had or was there someone else too?" "You know the answer then why are you asking me!" Claire pulled her hand away. "I knew it! And I'm ashamed to call you my sister." Scott sniggered, making her eyes freeze in shock. Mr. Argent banged his hands on the table before he rose to his feet, "What the hell is going on here? What's with your attitude today, Scott. How dare you talk to your sister like that?" "Just the same way she dared to soil our
274Claire came home with bright pink cheeks and a smile that made her mother stop her in the main hall. She circled her while her curious eyes tried to find out the cause behind that blush."You are blushing, Claire." Andrea prodded a finger in her cheek."Am I? That's probably the heat of the day, mom. You see, it's so.... Dark outside like it's going to rain." Claire's voice lessened over the last sentence as she gazed out the huge sliding doors that led to the garden outside.The sky was gray and heavy and angry black clouds floated in it. She bit her lips embarrassed as she wondered what excuse to make to avoid her mom.Andrea laughed, "Oh, Claire, you're so transparent. It has nothing to do with the weather. You're thinking about him, aren't you?" "W-who?" "Don't play dumb, sweetie. I know exactly who I'm talking about." She paused for dramatic effect. "Tyler." Claire's jaw dropped. She stared at her mother as her heart pounded in her chest. She wondered why she was talking ab