Chapter 3- Scars of the Past

After recovering from sleeping, Claire believed she would forget what happened the previous evening. But she didn't. She may be wide awake this morning, but she still has a sense that what she witnessed and felt last night occurred.

"What kind of human could he be? Last night, it was impossible that I had seen a normal human. Is he an experimental human being who escaped from a lab? What I saw last night didn't appear to be a wild animal, so why am I concerned about that?" Claire says to herself.

Claire froze as she remembered the man's attractiveness and his peculiar ability. He is pretty attractive. Looking into his blue eyes makes her melt. Claire also appeared to want to hug his powerful, firm arms.

Claire gave a swift head shake. "Gosh! I guess I am losing my mind. Maybe this is the result of always celebrating myself with alcohol."

Claire decided to walk downstairs to check on the arrival of their stay-out maids. They are stay-outs because most of the time, there is no one at their house. She was unsure about her mother's arrival time and whether she was still coming home. Or, if she goes home, she'll probably sleep and depart again.

Surprisingly, she saw her mother right away after descending the stairs. She was dozing off on the living room couch. She even forgot to sleep in her room.

Claire shook her head. Her mom likely returned from a night of drinking with her friends who don't have any money. "How much longer will you act that way? Who causes you to be like that? Is it me?"

"You ruined my life. You ruined my life. I wish I never had you! I wouldn't have been forced to marry your father if it weren't for you."

She caught her mother saying those words to her when her mom returned from home, drank, and wasted before. The worst words she had ever heard in her entire life were spoken to her right there as if her mom had never been happy to have her, her mother cursed at her whenever she was a kid.

There are many unintended pregnancies worldwide, but as soon as the mother brings her baby outside, the baby receives a mouthwatering hug. But why isn't her mother not like that? Her mom acted like she had a contagious illness that she didn't want to take care of.

Again, Claire's throat hurt. She still finds it difficult to accept her father's death and that she won't ever be with him again, no matter what. Her mother was still sleeping when Claire walked away. She experienced heartache every time she saw her mom. Because of the discomfort it caused, she believed she was numb. An ignorance for failing to uphold a motherly duty to her. She thought that after her mom said terrible words to her, she would no longer experience pain. However, that experience will always hurt her and scar her heart.

Claire exhaled a long sigh. She called out to their housekeeper, Victoria, and promptly emerged from the kitchen.

"What is that, Claire?"

Claire asked for a coffee, and Victoria immediately walked to the kitchen counter.

A hot coffee appeared in front of her shortly after that. The potent aroma of coffee makes her awake. Victoria is setting up their brewer in the morning so that it will be ready quickly if she requests a coffee.

Claire treated Victoria more like a mother. When her father was still alive, Victoria took care of her and her father. Claire won't feel the maternal care of a mother if Victoria isn't there for her.

Claire started to drink her coffee when Victoria suddenly spoke. "It appears that your mother is still sleeping. Therefore I was wondering what time she got home again."

Claire groaned. "As usual, she attended a party again, and I also partied alone. So, I don't know what hour she got home."

Victoria turned to face Claire and gave her a charming grin. "Congratulations on passing your examination," she says.

"Thank you, Victoria," Claire said and smiled.

"You passed; you're a doctor now. What are your plans following this?"

"Not quite."

Claire still has a long way to go, of course. After residency, she had to wait three years before retaking the specialized exam. And she was given residency approval at St. Louis Hospital. She can begin whenever she wants, especially considering the close relationship between her father and the hospital director. She was still residing in her father's shadow. Claire has no remorse about that. She could still be with her father even in that way.

Claire profoundly missed her dad. If her father is still alive, this will be the first time she can take pride in her ranking as the fourth board passer. He will also help her determine what to do next. Her friends urged her to schedule a vacation, but what good was it, if she had no one to travel with?

"I wish I knew what to do after this; I sincerely hope that dad is here right now," Claire said to Victoria.

She was next to Victoria, who gave her a pat on the back. This reaffirmed her heart. "Your dad must be so proud that you passed the examination and you are not only just passed. You're a top notcher!" Usually, Victoria's words encourage her to proceed.

Claire sighed deeply, "I hope so."

Again, Victoria gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder to encourage her to smile. Claire looked up, and she gave Victoria a lovely smile. Suddenly, her mother appeared in the kitchen, they were in that situation.

"Bring me a coffee, Victoria. My head hurts," she asked, stepping up to the high stool. She closed her eyes hard and placed one hand on her stomach. Even if she was merely standing next to Claire, it didn't matter to her.

What did she anticipate? They appear to be invisible to one another. They do not even greet each other. Claire hardened her heart because she was tired of trying to reach out to her mother.