Chapter 4: Claire’s POV

“Leo - “ I stop when I see Leo start to walk towards the door. I hurry and grab his arm.

“I still have something to tell you.” Leo pulls his arm back and turns to me annoyed and rubbing the back of his neck as a symbol of him becoming aggravated.

“I need to go help Charlotte. We can talk about whatever this is once we’re home.”

“Please don’t go” I ask in the smallest voice, but Leo turns the doorknob and leaves the room muttering the cruelest of words.

“Don’t put me in the position to choose” and without even a glance back at me - he exited. I didn’t get the chance to tell him about our baby. I stayed behind in the library for a few more minutes. The loneliness I felt reached further than the depth of this room. I wasn’t welcome here. I’m not wanted here. Even my husband doesn’t want me here. I should leave. So, I put every effort in calming myself before leaving the library. I then make my way from the library door to the foyer, hoping to escape without being seen or better yet - humiliated.

“Oh Claire, are you leaving. I hope you’re not upset that this celebration fell on your anniversary?” I had been spotted. Spotted by the woman I wanted nothing to do with - Charlotte. She wasn’t sorry. She knew it was my anniversary and had no consideration for my feelings.

“I’m just leaving” I couldn’t help but sound as small as Leo had made me feel. It was clear she called Leonardo with the intention of preventing the celebration of our marriage. But it was also clear that Leo had chosen to forget about it as well and run to be at her side - not mine.

“Don’t be so rude, Claire. This is a very special day for Charlotte.” Leo’s mother chimes in as she approaches us in the foyer.

Just then Emilia chimes in “You can celebrate your anniversary any day, this is Charlotte’s day today.”

I felt cornered. I couldn’t even leave their home in peace. They all made sure of that.

“I’m not angry. I wish you nothing but a speedy recovery and the best care Charlotte.” This battle would be tiring, and I had learned early on that I help no possibility of winning. I’d become accustomed to keeping my head low and crying in private. I just wanted to leave. Being emotional and disregarded this long has made me tired.

“How about you and I go for a walk?” Charlotte chimes in with a seemingly innocent smile I’d witness all evening.

I wanted to say no but with all eyes on us - I knew refusing was not an option.

I begin pushing Charlotte’s wheelchair out the door as she tells everyone she will be back after our walk together. The second I close the door - the niceties evaporate.

“Claire, I do want to thank you for keeping my bed warm with Leonardo for these past few years. Once I’m healed, I will be taking my rightful place at Leo’s side permanently.” Her true colors were never far from the surface. She just waited for the perfect opportunity to expose them.

“Everyone here loves me. His family, his sisters, his friends. You know that between you and I - I am the better candidate, and Leo will always choose me.”

Maybe she was telling the truth.

He left my side for hers. He was always available for her. He loved her. Maybe more than he’s ever loved me.

We continue walking until we reach the peak of the hill. I was preparing to push her wheelchair carefully when I felt the hesitation of the wheels being stuck. I squat down to examine the wheels while holding the chair with one hand to keep it from escaping down the hill, but I feel a strong shove and suddenly lose my grip trying to steady myself. Charlotte - in her wheelchair, begin rolling down the hill in an accelerating pace. I try to run and catch the handles to stop but as I’m a few inches away, her wheelchair hits a stone capsizing on his front causing Charlotte to hit her head on the pavement. Charlotte let out a blood-curdling scream. I rush to assist her back into her chair but Charlotte winces away from hands.

Conveniently, I look up to see Leonardo already rushing down the hill with a look I had never seen before, and that look wasn’t reserved for Charlotte. It was reserved for me.