This and the following chapters were both on scheduled release... But I chose the wrong date 😅sorry
242Claire sat quietly. She wanted to cover her ears so she wouldn't hear grandma extol her arrogant ex-husband. Anyway, she endured it with a straight face. "I haven't visited Bloomcrest in a while but I have many friends there. To be blunt, I have many eyes and ears to see and hear for me. They told me Hunter's appearance after your divorce and one of them claimed that Hunter was resorting after bringing you back. That was quick. As a woman who was oppressed by her husband all her life, I felt inclined to see Hunter redeeming himself for you." Grandma paused for a break. "And I really admired Hunter.... Way before he started having a problem with my grandson. He made me realize not all men are the same. Some own up to their mistakes and want to make amends. That's the reason why I decided to play cupid in your lives, Claire." "But what you're doing now...." Grandma eyed Claire disapprovingly. "I think it's a bit too much. In fact, it's a lot. You're being unfair to him and yourse
243"I want to see that bitch now!" Those words swept over Claire like hot water, scalding her skin with goosebumps. It was followed by a monstrous growl, one that seemed to make every object in the hall shake in its intensity. Then words, like the striking of dangerously sharpened katana, were delivered by none other than a fuming Hunter. "Avery, either you put a leash on her corrupted mouth or I strangle her throat unless she's dead!" Hunter threateningly stepped towards the person in question who scoffed uncaringly."First you put a leash on your fúcking mouth, MacIntyre. You're talking to my mom. Be respectful... Or else," Tyler came to view. Claire watched him put a hand on Hunter's chest and thrust him back. Hunter didn't budge though. He stood on his spot, his back to Claire. But it wasn't difficult to envision his facial expression. Claire knew how he looked when he was super mad. She could see his jaw ticking as he tried to keep his fury in control. His dark eyes growing d
244Claire shuddered helplessly as she awaited the pain of stabbing. She was never stabbed before, but she was well cognizant of the pain of cutting herself in the kitchen.When she was still Hunter's wife and resorted to impressing him with her cooking skills, she had small accidents in the kitchen every second day. Even if the cut was small and the bleeding wasn't worrisome, the pain it brought would be dizzying. However, she was growing impatient, standing prepared to feel the pain anywhere on her body, yet it never came. When she cracked an eye open to see why Tia Murphy hadn't yet stabbed her, tears gushed out and relief she wasn't supposed to feel in this circumstance hit her in waves. Loud gasp left her mouth as she lifted her face, stunned, shivering in shock and love blooming for Hunter in her chest, her eyes glistening with tears, fingers twitching while her heart somersaulted. How would she feel the pain from the stab when he was holding the knife in his tight grip! Clai
245Hunter rubbed his bleeding palm on her face, cupping her cheek and then going down to kiss her.Claire's breaths hitched as her heart drummed in her chest. The warm blood on her cheek washed over her like acid. Her eyes tore up, enlarging in shock and distress.She didn't get to react to the kiss as it was short and Hunter pulled away quickly. Claire gulped in a deep breath and hated the acrid smell of blood that exploded in her nostrils. "This is just a demo, Dove. I swear I'll cut myself open if you don't come with me!" He whispered like a devil. "Y-you won't do that." Claire stammered and for some reason Hunter was amused by her reaction."Wait! Are you scared?" He sat up, still straddling her while she laid still under him.She looked away. Hunter smiled as he regarded his bleeding hand."Wait, is it my blood? You don't like to see me bleed, do you?"When there was no answer, Hunter did the most unexpected and sadistic thing— He tore her red dress and pressed his bleeding pa
246For Claire, it was a harrowing fifteen minutes of her life. Even the doctor seemed troubled at Hunter's show of coldness."There, it's done. I'll write you down painkillers and healing cream you would require once—""No need, thank you very much."The doctor's jaw hung in daze, "Very well. However, you would still need to take some precautions like protecting your stitches from water and stuff like that for the first few days. Because, Mr. MacIntyre, you're known for your stubbornness…. I'll send you the link to an article I wrote on my blog. Do read it."After he left, Hunter flattened his back on the mattress, his legs still on the ground. He was gazing at his dressed hand when Claire threw a hair brush at him that hit him on the mouth, but not hard enough to split open his skin."What's making you crazy now?" Hunter raised an eyebrow, feigning oblivion."What were you trying to show by doing that?""Nothing." He lifted a shoulder. "But look, my wedding ring is still shining thro
247Tyler felt oddly satisfied, seeing the car occupying Hunter and Claire disappear into the darkness. A faint smile flickered on his lips. He stood by the window with folded hands, eyes staring at where the car was mounting a few seconds ago as he praised Hunter's good luck.He finally managed to take Claire back with him. It wouldn't be long before he was able to bring her back home as his wife. He had that fire in his chest that would be enough to melt the ice caging Claire's heart that already belonged to him. 'If you keep working so dedicatedly, MacIntyre, you will have her in your life before the end of this year.' He smiled again. The next second, nevertheless, his face hardened as his eyes glimmered darkly. Tyler turned around and his jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed and he shook his head in disapproval."What you did out there wasn't commendable, mom? You could have seriously harmed her."Tia, who had been carelessly filing her nails sitting on the couch in the corner of the
248Tyler snickered hatefully. He was nauseated at his mother's mentality. Logic seemed to have deserted her long back.“See me dare, mom.” He challenged her with a raised eyebrow.“Come back here, Tyler. This conversation is not over. You can't bring just any woman to our family. I won't approve of it. I won't let you make any random, undeserving woman my daughter-in-law. You won't….”Her words faded out as Tyler left her in his bedroom and came out. He felt tired, his back sticky with sweat. He needed fresh air.He was hoping to go out in the garden— but in the main hall he found another shock of his life in the form of Penny and Cole.'What the hell are they doing here now?' Tyler hissed.They were sitting on the couch with Grandma Avery. Cole was usually smiling
249"You pathetic orthodox woman! Your mouth is a trash bin. You spew rubbish every time you open your filthy mouth. Cole is not a toddler and he sure as hell is doing better in his life compared to you.""You.... How dare you talk to me like that?" Tia clutched Penny's front of the shirt."I dare to talk to you like that because you dared to insult my boyfriend. He's the best man to walk on earth— unlike you, an abhorrent old hag who knows nothing better than to interfere in his grown up son's life." Penny howled before thrusting Tia's hand away.It took everything in her not to push her back, after all she was still her mother's age. But that didn't stop her from verbally lashing her."Mothers like you are the reason why children want to try the most extreme things in life like drugs and unprotected séx. They feel burdened under your control
287"Hey—""H-Hunter..."Hunter sat up straight, his spine erect, and his face becoming white in shock as fear crept under his skin, listening to Claire's voice.He looked at the clock and gulped a shallow breath. It hadn't been more than an hour since he dropped Claire off to her home, and hearing her panic-stricken voice unsettled him."Dove, what's wrong? Is everything okay at home?" Hunter asked and bit his tongue to stop himself from saying— Did Scott do something again?He heard Claire's heavy breathing and immediately got up."Dove, say something!""H-Hunter... I... I..." Claire sobbed, causing his patience to near its end.At once he grabbed the keys to the bike he rode tonight."Don't worry, Dove, I'm coming over." He literally sprinted towards the door.His body was suddenly cold from terror as Claire's sob was making it worse. Hunter had come around the staircase. He was about to descend when he heard her sniff and ask him not to come.He stalled and stared at nothing in th
286Hunter stared at her, thrown off guard by her words. He reflected back on their meeting in the dark alley, and indeed what he realized made his mouth open a little. Mona hadn't looked like she intended to do anything physically with him. Her grin back then had been playful— one that of a naughty child who knew he was notorious for his mischief. "You can say that I was testing your loyalty towards Claire. I didn't intend to do anything mischievous, Hunter. But you see, Claire ruined everything when she interrupted." Her lips lifted in a sneer as she showed him her left cheek.There was a visible claw mark on her skin from Claire's nails. The scratch was swelling, its edges inflamed and red. Hunter felt bad for her. Now that he knew that Mona didn't mean to do anything condemning in the dark alley of the mall with him, he felt the need to apologize to her on behalf of Claire, but Mona beat him to it as tears flashed in her eyes."No, Hunter. I might want to see you with Claire and
285Hunter's body worked on its own. He felt like someone had trespassed into his territory and snatched one of his shirts that Mona was folding.He growled at her as his eyes seemed to darken even more. In the dim lights he came off as a hunter ready to tear his teeth into her skin and kill her. It wasn't a surprise that Mona was unaffected. She just rolled her eyes and lifted her finely manicured hand to blow over her nails."What the hell are you doing here? How did you come inside?" Hunter hissed."I was trying to be helpful as you can see." Mona said while casting a gaze around.Hunter's walk-in closet was a mess. It looked like a clothes manufacturing factory, unfolded shirts lying here and there, some trousers on the floor as if they were dropped just there after trying them on."I don't need your fucking help, alright! Just tell me why you are here and get the hell out." Hunter gritted out between his clenched teeth.Mona watched his knuckles whiten as he fisted on the shirt h
284"If you think that then I'm happy otherwise in my opinion, Reggie ruined everything I did." Hunter smiled a little awkwardly."That's because you're used to having everything done meticulously, Mr. Billionaire. But for normal people like us some mess and chaos is welcome.""Well then," Hunter sighed. "I'll have to make sure there's some chaos in our relationship."Claire chuckled. Later on, they hopped back on the bike and Claire was the one handling it. Hunter sat behind her, admiring her as she flawlessly rode the bike. There were no words exchanged until Claire stopped the bike on the street some yards away from her house.Hunter blinked his eyes as he looked around."Why here, Dove?""Scott's room's window." She pointed as from where they stood they could clearly see that Scott's room's lights were on."Oh." Hunter got down as he didn't need any further explanation.He wanted to drop her at the gate of her house and watch her go inside. But he deemed it was okay if they got dow
283"You'll never have to fight for any right when you're standing beside me. I'll always make sure you're respected and cherished more than I am. I'll also help you with your career, Dove. You can work at your father's or mine— wherever you're comfortable and I'd always come to pick you up so we can go home together." Hunter's voice was like warm honey, soothing and sweet. But Claire had more to acknowledge than just his heart-touching words. The surrounding was one of them. What had been a lake enveloped in a blanket of darkness was now glowing with golden lights. It felt as though the blanket was lifted off, revealing the beauty it had hidden underneath. "I'll always cherish you, love you and give you space. You will never have to question your worth or love for me.... Because I'll make sure I live up to your expectations." The pause he took allowed Claire to notice where they were standing— in the middle of a four post bamboo arch. There were colorful flowers and green leaves
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 expressi
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