8
Dusk hung over Bloomcrest while the winds rolled over calmly. In her Villa, Claire worked tirelessly in the kitchen. She was preparing food for Hunter. There was a cheerful smile on her face as though she was very happy in her marriage.
Thea was helping in the kitchen. She took the dishes to the dining table as they were filled with a new dish by Claire. As she returned after her fourth round, she nervously pinched her fingers and spoke in a hushed tone.
"Madam, I don't think Mr. MacIntyre will return home today. S-so I'm afraid all this food you're making is going to go wasted."
"I left a message to Hunter in the evening to come home soon for dinner. He might have seen it and will be here anytime now." Claire said confidently.
Beside her Thea made a pitiful face as she thought, 'You're dreaming with open eyes, madam. Your husband is gone. He's not yours any more. Why can't you see it?'
"Can you pass me the ketchup please?" Claire asked.
Thea remained quiet and helped the lady of the house with the food. They took it to the dining table. Claire requested Thea to sit with her until Hunter arrived. Not that Thea lived elsewhere and she had to depart earlier.
She has been with the MacIntyres since Hunter's birth. The old lady had no children or relatives. Hence, she was permanently hired by the MacIntyres long ago. She was provided shelter and monthly remuneration for the services she rendered.
She was humble and happened to play the role of a mother in Hunter's life more than his biological mother. Hence, when he returned from overseas he requested to take Thea with her in his villa. She had her own little cabinet in the backyard facing the lake while the villa was located on the cliff of a mountain, with exotic views of deep valleys and mountains.
Not to mention that this Villa was Hunter's dream house which he planned with Zara when they were dating. But then, months before he was to propose to her for marriage, she left him.
And then Hunter married Claire and brought her into the house he made with love for himself and the love of his life Zara.
Thea noticed the frown forming on her madam's face. After all, it was going to be three hours in ten minutes since they're waiting. Except that there was no sign of Hunter's return.
'I knew he wouldn't come. Hunter will never leave Zara alone for one second now he's found her back in his life. I wish Claire could see it and take the hint. Her marriage is in smithereens.' Thea mused watching Claire gaze at the clock impatiently.
"Madam, why don't we get started with our dinner? I... I think sir is busy with work." Thea spoke in order to avert Claire's attention from waiting for her husband.
Deep down she knew he had to be with Zara. But to lessen her sadness and distract her mind, Thea mentioned work.
"I'm fine, Thea. I will wait for Hunter. Why don't you go ahead and get started first? You have to take your medicine too."
Although her heart went out for Claire, Thea knew it would be a waste of time trying to explain anything to her anything. She filled a plate of food for herself from what Claire made for her husband.
"I hope you don't mind, Mrs. MacIntyre! I've been drooling on the smell of the food in the kitchen."
"Please, take as much as you want." Claire delightfully gestured to the table laden with dishes of a variety of food.
'At least someone is eating my food.' Claire sighed after Thea took her leave.
The entire night she waited for Hunter. In between, she made sure to leave messages to Hunter.
What Claire realized was that he was looking at all her messages. But silently. There was no response from him as though it was useless and unimportant.
Soon the sun smiled upon the horizon whereas on the dining table, Claire bit back tears of grief.
He didn't come home for dinner.
Rubbing a hand on her wet cheeks, Claire left the food on the table and came back to her home. She threw herself on the bed as her bones were awfully screaming in pain from sitting at the table all night, in wait for her cruel husband.
Claire stared at the ceiling as various thoughts whirled in her mind.
'What am I doing? Hunter is a heartless man. He never showed me any spousal care for two years. Why am I wasting my efforts and time on him like this?' She wondered with blurry eyes as tears oozed uncontrollably.
'He said that I am not important. I was hardly thought about in these two years of marriage. He openly claimed that I will never have any better place in his life. Then what am I working for?' She opened her mouth and allowed her sobs to echo in the quiet room as sunray snuck inside the room, radiating it.
Except that there was nothing that could radiate her dark life.
Claire reached out for her phone beside her. She checked Hunter's chat. He was online. The blue ticks beside her messages made something in her chest toss and twist.
It was self-respect that she was murdering every moment for her husband.
Claire sucked in a shivery breath as she left a new message to him: Where are you now?
Much to her dismay and rising sorrow, he read her message within a second.
But still... No reply.
She typed again: I made all your favorite dishes. I thought we'll eat together.
Seen again.
Claire typed next: You think it's funny? Or that it would break me?
Hunter's behaviour clawed through her heart. Suddenly her eyes smoldered as she grit her teeth angrily.
'Hunter MacIntyre, you think not returning home will make me leave you? It only makes my determination of steel.'
Claire left a final message with a stubborn sneer before she closed her eyes to get some sleep: The menu for today's lunch is a surprise. See you then. Love you, Honey.
Tbc...
Do you think he'll come???
How many of you think Claire will win this war? Should she hope for a future with Hunter?
9Hunter stared at her last message with cold eyes. 'Playing stubborn? I like it.' He mumbled while putting a hand under his head. He was in the penthouse on the sofa in the living room, staring at the door of the room Zara was in. Although he insisted on sleeping in bed with her and cuddling her, she refused him without blinking an eye. Zara claimed that she was a widow and Hunter was a married man. A married man with a loving and dedicated wife. It would not be appropriate to sleep with him while his wife was waiting for him in their house. Though the flames of need to be held tight were evident in her eyes, she suggested maintaining space. This was one of the qualities in Zara that Hunter was crazy about.She sacrificed her life and love for others. She prioritized others' feelings over hers. She didn't give herself the attention and praise she deserved. All her life, she thought about others. Then why shouldn't Hunter thrive to give her a deserving happy life? She deserved to
10Hunter didn't have to ask about his wife at the reception. A doctor who noticed him entering inside, who was talking to a nurse, left his conversation incomplete to escort the heir of MacIntyre empire to his wife's ward.Obviously Claire had to be taken to the VIP floor and kept in the biggest ward. As Hunter walked nearer to her, his body started growing sweaty and heart thundered in his chest.This feeling was equivalent to feeling the soul leaving one's body. What amazed him more was the fact that he was feeling this way for his wife who he was desperately trying to dispose of to be with his real lover.'What the hell!' A lump formed in his throat as he heard himself swearing in shock.In front of him were Thea and Cole sitting on a bench. While the old woman was rubbing and squeezing her hands in nervousness, his best friend sat emotionlessly staring at his shoes. However, they had one thing in common. Blood.Both of their clothes were stained with blood as though they were pla
11Pain engulfed Claire. Her body became numb as she expressionlessly stared at nowhere in the air.She didn't know what day it was or how long she had been asleep in a hospital bed, but she knew that not eating proper food for ten days caused huge damage to her body.She could feel her bones trembling. Her body felt paper light while her lashes weighed down with exhaustion.All of this she did was for what? Her husband didn't even care to spare her a glance when he saw her.It was after ten days they met. But still, he left hurriedly as if she was not in a hospital bed with a bandage on the head. The screeching sound of parting door made her lift her eyes. Claire noticed Cole standing on the doorstep with a frown."What's up with your husband? He left like a hurricane." He came inside."Something to do with Zara." Claire spoke in a voice lacking emotions. It still oozed with pain.Cole's back stiffened. He gritted his teeth as he shook his head."Zara!" He huffed while turning arou
12"You're being insane, Claire! Like why? Why would you persevere to stay beside a man who doesn't give two fucks about your health?" Penelope ground the words out as a tear escaped her right eye.Although she was aware of the full story of her friend, she didn't expect to get the gore information Claire just shared.Hunter left her unattended for ten days. Even if he came to see her today, it was only for a few minutes.He has to he a total jerk to do that to his devoting wife."It's certain that man doesn't feel shit for you. Why would you still chase after him then?" Penelope literally screamed as she asked the question.Claire raised her now dry eyes. She was exhausted of crying. But her wet lashes made her look vulnerable."Hunter is distracted, Penny. Otherwise he was a very good husband to me in the last two months after I asked him to give me another ch—""Who the fuck is he to give you a chance, huh? That asshole should not even get an appointment to see you again. You're be
13If Claire thought that was more hurtful, she was wrong. Just after Hunter left she saw her mother-in-law turning to her husband with a teary face and said, "Poor soul has to go through so much. Leon, she will be fine, won't she?" And she hugged her husband.Claire felt like a bucket of cold icy water was thrown on her. She had been here since last night and nobody came to see her except for her husband... Which was also for only ten seconds to count. Her parents were oblivious of her condition. But considering that Cole brought her here in his arms, shouldn't he have told her in-laws too? Beside her husband. Torment seeped into her bones and suddenly her skull began to throb with pain.Cole was standing beside her in-laws, soothing them. Claire couldn't bring herself to believe how suddenly everyone's emotions turned against her. Up until some days ago, all these people were on her side, shedding tears for her and pitying her.She could have endured Hunter's indifference becaus
14While the lines of worry lessened around Cole's mouth as the ladies seemed to notice his words, Claire scanned his face for visible lies.He could be lying to fool her. Unfortunately, all she saw was genuinity.Moreover, he had no reason to lie. He may be Hunter's best friend, he was supporting Claire."Nice excuse but my friend and I are not imbeciles. That woman and rape... What a joke!" Penelope said, her words reduced the impact Cole's announcement had created.She refused to believe that it happened. She cringed and added, "I'm forced to wonder whether you are involved with Zara to destroy Claire's relationship. Cole, tell me honestly, are you doing this because you are jealous of your best friend having a loving and faithful wife? You want to separate them because you never had a chance at true love. Ain't I right?""If you can't say anything good, don't open your stinking mouth, Penelope Baker." Cole hissed out. His eyes grew darker, and if looks could kill, he would have
15"Claire!!!" Penelope shrieked her name out of shock as she watched her friend go down on her knees.Claire was being helped by her when two strong arms came around her shoulders. A knot seemed to untie within her chest as a faint smile crossed her lips."Hun—" Her mouth hung open on a gasp as Claire observed the face mere inches away from her."Jesus Christ! You are burning with fever, Claire. Come on, get up. Let me take you to your ward." That was Cole furrowing his brows in concern at her.The dam of miseries seemed to unbolt in her heart. Claire flickered her heavy lashes. She looked behind Cole's shoulders at her husband, regarding her with a detached stare. Hunter didn't seem in his senses. Even if he was then he didn't care one bit about her. He was right there by the wall, in the same position, just his face's angle had lowered to look at her."Come on, give me your hand." Cole's words caused her breathing to fracture.While she was struggling to get up, another man was he
16 Penelope was too inflamed by Hunter's behaviour to keep her mouth shut. However, Cole eyed her dangerously. It reminded Penelope of the doctor's words. They should keep stress causing factors away from her. "Err... I was saying... I was saying that though Hunter was worried for Zara he didn't forget to check up on you, Claire. Hunter spent his nights sitting by you on this stool. He never left you alone for once throughout the night and his back is brutally stiff now." Penelope blurted out. She peered at Cole as if asking with her gaze if her lie was up to the mark. Since the doctor said they must not give her stress, the best way to avoid it was to give her happy news so her mood would be elevated. But Cole's blazing glare indicated that it was more than too much. Claire wouldn't believe that provided that Hunter hardly waited to see her when she last woke up. Even on that night when Zara was being operated in the operation room and Claire fell on the floor while getting