All Chapters of Vindication After Leaving Everything Behind: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Claudia was tired. She couldn't set her pride aside to plead or bargain with Shawn anymore. She loved him for five years and cherished her parents all her life, but in the end, all they ever cared about was Emilia.The warmth and love they showered Emilia with during the video call was a punch to Claudia's gut. They as good as stabbed her in the heart, and their scathing remarks ringing out from the other line didn't help.Emilia interjected anxiously and apologetically, "I'm sorry, Claudia! I didn't know you were delivering the baby tonight. I'll stop the party and tell Shawn and the others to head to the hospital now! Please don't blame Shawn. Don't divorce him because of me!"Samson was having fun when he heard this and threw a fit. "We're not going anywhere! Come on, Aunt Emmy, it's time to cut the cake! Ignore my mom. She's always trying to get Dad's attention by pulling tricks like that. Don't fall for her act. She won't divorce Dad."Lorraine was indifferent as usual. "That'

Shawn thundered, "Claudia!"He wanted to go after the heartless woman and drag her back for a full-blown confrontation, but Samson looked like he was fighting death itself. Shawn's jaw clenched. Not wasting a second longer, he scooped Samson into his arms and hurried toward the black Porsche parked at the entrance."Get us to the nearest hospital now!" he urged.Lucas bolted for the driver's seat while shouting after Claudia, "Mrs. Faulkner! Mr. Samson is convulsing from his fever! Won't you at least look at him? You can't just abandon him like this!"Claudia's flashy sports car was parked beside Shawn's. Her back stiffened when she heard Lucas' desperate plea, but instead of looking out the window, she rolled it up to keep out the noise."Just ignore them and drive, Ethan," she said lightly.Lucas stomped his foot in frustration as Claudia's red sports car whooshed past him and into the distance, but he couldn't afford to dawdle any longer.Shawn was fuming in the backseat of

Rage and derision twisted Claudia's features into a malicious grimace, matching the one Shawn saw on his last video call with her. This confirmed his gut feeling that the woman before him was his supposedly dead wife.He tightened his grip on Claudia's wrist and hissed, "Keeping up the front, are you?"His long, slender fingers reached for her waist. He recalled there was a scar there, marking Claudia's most sensitive spot. On the nights they spent together in the sheets, she would tremble uncontrollably whenever he grazed the scar that ridged her skin."You're most sensitive here, right?" Shawn murmured close to her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin as a wicked smile curled on his lips. "How long do you think you can keep up the act?"He traced her waist with his hand slowly, familiar with the places he mapped from their years together. However, he was stunned when he didn't feel the scar even through the thin fabric of her robe.Shawn froze when he realized there was likely

Shawn's counteroffer was so absurd that even Ethan fumed. He rose to his feet, clenching his fist like he was about to punch Shawn.Claudia's gaze darkened, but before she could refuse Shawn's proposition, he stared at her chillingly and bit out, "I will never agree to your terms, so unless you agree to mine, you won't get your precious Mrs. Jefferson's painting back."Asshole! He was just as much of a bully as before, always resorting to blackmail when he couldn't get what he wanted.She gritted her teeth. She was pondering her next move when an idea suddenly flashed through her mind. The next second, her lips curled as she said, "Fine, then. We'll proceed with your arrangement—three classes a week for your son."Ethan's head whipped to the side as he regarded her with alarm. "Jolene!"Claudia shot him a warning glare, silencing him. He kept his mouth shut from that point onward.Satisfied, Shawn smiled and said, "Very well, then. We have a deal. Now all we have to do is sign th

As doubts and suspicions seized Lorraine, a sudden idea flashed in her mind. Smiling warmly at Claudia, she said, "Well, you must be tired after the long journey to Briarwood, Ms. Jefferson. I trust you will make a wonderful tutor for my grandson. But let's not rush into his lessons for today. You're welcome to join us for a meal, Ms. Jefferson."Claudia was placid as ever as she nodded at Lorraine, accepting the latter's invitation. She knew the meal would be anything but casual, but she didn't balk. The more her enemies tested her, the more magnanimous she had to be.The tension was thick as everyone adjourned to the dining room.Emilia couldn't stop shooting deadly looks at Claudia, jealousy and spite clouding her gaze. Shawn, on the other hand, found himself glancing at Claudia every once in a while, his expression unreadable.Lorraine was the first to break the pregnant silence. "So, Ms. Jefferson, it must be an interesting experience to study under someone as great as Mr. J