Part 79

Actually, Claire felt the same curiosity as Flavia about the reason why Gian's family suddenly came to America? Is there a big event to be held by Antony's family?

But as usual, she was reluctant to ask. If Antony was going to tell her, he would. And if he wanted to involve her, he would ask her to. And Claire would definitely not refuse if he needed her presence.

They put down the spoon almost simultaneously and Antony went back to talking to his daughter.

"Honey, today we're going home to Granny's." She said suddenly and didn't give much of a reason.

There was something strange here, that's what Claire felt. But again she just kept it all to herself.

They walked back to Claire's house and were surprised to see Gladwin's car parked outside. The four of them then entered in turn without opening the gate wider. Inside the house, Gladwin was sitting casually on one of the long sofas. "Where are you guys from?" asked Claire's twin lazily.

"Breakfast." Abigail replied flatly.

The girl chose to walk into the interior of the house, continuing towards the kitchen followed by her best friend while Antony and Claire chose to sit on the other long sofa in the living room where Gladwin sat. "So?" Gladwin looked at Antony with tired eyes. "How was last night?" he asked curiously.

Antony nodded his head in response. "Easy." His answer was short.

Claire looked at Antony wordlessly and now she really felt regret for not asking the details about who the man was meeting and for what.

"What's going on?" She asked softly as she looked at Antony and Gladwin in turn. "What are you planning that I don't know about?" She asked irritably. But it seemed that no one would give her an answer because Gladwin also ignored Claire's question and preferred to talk to Antony as if Claire wasn't there.

"Then, I'll let them know." Gladwin replied, which was answered by Antony's nod.

"You guys really want to play secrets with me?" Asked Claire with an accusing look.

Upset, Claire chose to get up and leave the two. At first she thought Antony would hold her back, but he didn't at all.

"Flavia, come on darling, let's go home." Antony's orders from the living room sounded shortly after Claire left him.

Flavia with a frown on her face was now walking towards her father with the bag on her back.

"I'm going home first, Aunty. See you soon." Flavia said with a reluctant frown on her face. Antony just rubbed his daughter's head lightly as he looked at Claire.

"We're leaving first. See you soon." Antony said goodbye.

Claire wanted to be angry at the man's flat demeanor especially with what they had done last night. Why didn't he say goodbye by kissing her forehead like he did before? But Claire chose not to voice it and just looked at him with restrained anger.

It was only after Antony came out of his house and took out his car that Claire returned to sit across from her twin sister.

"What exactly are you and Antony planning?"

"So, you are now Claire and Antony? No longer Miss Hampton and Mr. Quirino?" Gladwin taunted his twin sister.

"Brother, don't piss me off." Claire demanded irritably.

"What's wrong with you? What do you want?" Asked Gladwin who casually laid down on the sofa. Closing his eyes with one hand.

Claire knew her twin was tired, but she was really curious about what her twin and Antony were up to.

"I want to know what exactly you guys are up to." She said in a demanding tone.

"There isn't anything we're planning, darling." Gladwin said in a mocking tone. "Our mother had already made plans for your engagement to the man of her choice and Antony, realizing that he couldn't force our mother, chose to give you up and withdraw from the fight." Gladwin replied with his eyes looking directly at Claire.

Honestly, Claire couldn't believe what her brother was saying. "What do you mean?" She squeaked softly.

"What I mean is, right this weekend-or maybe tonight-you're still going to meet Mary's brother, who is none other than your future fiancé." Gladwin continued in a flat tone.

"But..."

"No buts. You already have no chance to refuse, Claire. You know how our mother is." Gladwin replied again. "Why is your face turning pale? Do you really want to be set up with that billionaire widower? Yes, I can understand your desire, but what can I do? I don't want to be a disobedient son. After all, our mother is the woman who gave birth to us and raised us so yes... You just accept your fate." Gladwin said with resignation. "Maybe this afternoon our mother will come here to pick you up." He said and then chose to turn his body around and face the back of the chair. Not long after, Claire heard the soft snoring of her twin brother.

Claire sat where she was for a long time. The girl could only stare at her brother's back who was breathing regularly without being able to think of anything.

Is it true what Gladwin said that Antony chose to step down and not continue his fight?

Is it true that she ended up getting engaged to a man she never knew let alone liked?

Those thoughts kept filling Claire's head until finally just as Gladwin had predicted, their mother came to Claire's residence with Harry and his wife Mary.

"Are you feeling better? Why are you out of the hospital?" Mary asked with great concern.

"I'm already feeling better. I'm not comfortable staying in the hospital for too long." Claire replied softly. She looked at Gladwin's back who was still sleeping in the same position as a few hours ago. "Why did you come here without giving me any news?" Claire asked conversationally. Even though she could already guess what their intentions were.

Claire looked at her second brother with a pleading gaze. But her brother chose to look away instead. Why is everyone being so unfair to her? Claire's mind cried out sadly.

"I've decided that tonight we'll invite Mary's family over for a meal." Her mother said in a cold tone. "Since you've been discharged from

the hospital, which means you're well, so we have no reason to postpone the plan. Mary's family are busy people anyway. Making them linger here would be rude and hamper their business." Her mother said again.

Claire could not avoid or deny her mother's wishes. She could not defy her mother and had no reason to cancel the meeting. Because the man she defended before, the man she thought would fight for her and help her to cancel this arranged marriage had now gone somewhere and did not give her any assurance.

Claire could only surrender even though her heart wanted to rebel. She could only nod her head in agreement. And although it made her mother surprised, but a happy expression was clearly printed on her face. "Good. I'd rather see you obey like this than being a rebellious, unstable woman. What good is he to my chosen man?" Asked her mother again in a sarcastic tone.

Claire did not utter any words, she could only remain silent and lament her fate. If indeed that man was her soul mate, she could only hope that whoever he was, hopefully he was a good man who would love and care for her and treat her well.

"Do you want to stay here and prepare for dinner or do you want to come with me now?" Her mother asked Claire again.

Claire looked back at Gladwin. "I'll go with Gladwin later." She said softly.

"Dress up pretty, don't embarrass me." Her mother ordered as she rose to her feet.

The middle-aged woman left leaving her son and daughter-in-law first. Meanwhile, Harry walked over to Claire.

"You take it easy, I'm sure everything will be fine." Her brother whispered as he gently rubbed Claire's head.

Her sister-in-law also smiled at Claire. "Have faith, everything will be beautiful in time." The woman in her thirties said in a soothing tone. Claire could only answer those words with a smile. Although that was not how she felt right now.

After Julie's departure, the house was quiet again. Abigail, who had chosen to hide herself in Claire's room, now walked into the living room and sat beside her.

"Aunty." The girl said with her eyes looking at Claire, her small hand reaching out to take Claire's hand. "I don't understand why you're talking like that, aren't you going to marry Flavia's father but why do you want to meet the man of grandmother's choice?"

Claire looked at Abigail with her eyes suddenly glazed over and then raised the corners of her mouth. She then took a long breath and exhaled slowly.

"This is called reality, Abby. What we want, doesn't necessarily line up with reality. Didn't I tell you this before?" She said as she looked up to block the tears from spilling over. "Never, ever, ever get your hopes up for someone." She said warningly before getting up from his seat and leaving Abigail in silence.

Claire went into her room and locked herself in. Abigail was about to get up and chase after her but suddenly Gladwin turned around and looked at his niece.

"Leave her alone." Gladwin ordered quietly. Despite not understanding the reason, Abigail just looked at her uncle and nodded her head silently.