Chapter 13 Pushed Too Far
Finished
Natalie was slightly taken aback. She had gone out of her way to help Francis, yet he left her behind without a second thought?
Her expression darkened slightly at the thought.
“Francis, why don’t I take you home?” She suggested, feigning concern. “I’m worried about you, and I don’t want Wesley to have trouble sleeping without seeing you.”
But Francis wasn’t listening. His mind was wholly consumed by the fact that Clara had bailed
Liam out.
Was she really involved with him?
No, that was impossible. Clara loved him. Even if she was disappointed in him, she would never abandon Wesley. She would not bear to leave their child behind.
“Francis? What are you thinking about?” Natalie gently touched his hand when he did not respond.
Francis snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her in confusion. “Natalie, what is it?”
Hiding her irritation, Natalie smiled, her eyes full of concern. “Francis, I’m worried about you. Let me take care of you. You’re hurt, and seeing you like this breaks my heart.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she spoke, her expression delicate and pitiful.
Francis hesitated for a moment before nodding. Her display of concern had touched him.
They returned to Francis home, the house he once shared with Clara.
Wesley, who had been dozing off on the couch, instantly perked up when he saw them. Rushing over, he threw his arms around his father.
“Daddy! Does it hurt?” He reached up, carefully touching the bruises on Francis‘ face.
Francis shook his head. “It doesn’t hurt. But why are you still awake?”
“Mommy isn’t home,” Wesley pouted. “I was waiting for you.” The way he said it made it seem like Clara was the one in the wrong for not being there.
Natalie crouched beside him; her voice was gentle. “Wesley, your daddy has me to take care of him. Why don’t you go to bed now? You have to go to school tomorrow.”
Wesley glanced at Natalie, then at his father. When he saw Francis give him a small nod, he reluctantly followed the nanny to his room.
Once he was gone, Francis turned to Natalie. “Natalie, it’s late…”
Chapter 13 Pushed Too Far
Finished
room tonight? It’s already so late, and I wouldn’t feel safe going back alone. Besides, you’re injured. You shouldn’t be sending me home.”
Francis hesitated. He did not want Clara to misunderstand if she found out. But when he saw the hopeful look in Natalie’s eyes, he relented.
Meanwhile, Clara had taken Liam to an apartment that Zoe had arranged for her,
“Clara, I didn’t mean to cause trouble for you,” Liam said anxiously. He had been silent the whole way back, worried that Clara would be angry and throw him out.
Clara said nothing. Instead, she took out the medicine she had bought on the way and sat down in front of him.
Liam obediently let her tend to his wounds. Even when it stung, he merely winced and gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound. Clara, seeing his attempts to endure, softened her touch.
Once she was done, she cleaned up the medical supplies. Just then, her phone lit up message.
She picked it up and opened the photos Natalie had sent her.
with a
One of them was of Francis‘ bedroom. Another one was of Wesley, fast asleep. The last one was of Francis, fresh out of the shower.
Clara stared at the images, momentarily dazed.
Just as she was about to put her phone away, Liam, who had somehow ended up beside her, caught a glimpse of the pictures.
“That bastard is going too far!” Liam raged. “He actually let that homewrecker taunt you like this?! Looks like I went too easy on him. If he still dares to be this arrogant, I should’ve hit him harder!”
Furious, he reached for her phone, intent on calling Francis and giving him a piece of his mind.
Clara knew her brother’s temper. In Riverdale’s underworld, Liam was feared by many. But when it came to her, he would do anything to protect her.
“Liam,” Clara called out, her voice steady yet firm.
Liam instantly calmed down at her tone. He looked at her nervously, waiting for her to speak.
Clara met his gaze before putting her phone away. She then sat down nearby.
“Liam, how did you find out about me and Francis?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and concern. For years, the Westwood family had not looked for her. She had thought she had hidden herself well. But the moment she reached out to Zoe, Liam had appeared.
Did this mean the entire family knew?
Chapter 13 Pushed Too Far
position.”
#Finished
Initially, he had only planned to teach Francis a lesson. He had not expected things to escalate to the point where he ended up at the police station. If it were not for that, he would not have involved Clara at all.
Moreover, he had sworn to his wife that he would keep Clara’s whereabouts a secret.
Clara studied him carefully, searching for any sign of deception.
Liam, sensing her doubt, raised three fingers. “I swear on my life. Only the two of us know. I didn’t tell a soul. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Clara finally believed him after hearing him say so.
“Liam, I’ve already decided to divorce Francis. I’m sure Zoe told you. But I won’t go home just yet. I want to prove myself first. A daughter of the Westwood family cannot return in disgrace.”
Zoe had already explained Clara’s plan to Liam, but he still worried. “Clara, even if you came home now, you’d still be the Westwood family’s precious daughter. No one would dare say a word against you. And if anyone did say something, I’d make them regret ever opening their mouth.”
Warmth spread through Clara’s heart. Liam was still the same, always protective of her.
Her eyes stung as tears welled up.
Liam, seeing her tears, misunderstood. He assumed she had suffered greatly at Francis’s hands and was only now allowing herself to break down. Anger surged within him as he held her tightly. “Clara, that bastard Francis is trash. I’ll beat him up again.”
Clara, held in his arms, finally let her tears fall freely. Liam, at a loss for what to do, could only curse Francis in his heart.
After a long while, Clara finally calmed down. Her eyes were red as she sniffled. “Liam, please don’t interfere in my matters with Francis. I want to handle it myself. He’s refusing to divorce me, and I’m busy preparing for the fireworks competition. I’ll deal with him once that’s over. Until then, please don’t cause any anymore trouble.”
Liam was reluctant, but he nodded. He had finally found Clara after all these years. He did not want to scare her away again. Still, once she divorced Francis, he would definitely teach that man a lesson.
“Ok, I’ll listen to you. Just come to me if you ever need help. Alright?”
