Chapter 28 New Year’s Eve
Natalie figured Clara cared about Wesley. Threatening her with him would make her obey.
Clara shrugged. “Whatever. I can always have another kid.”
Π
“But,” she said, glancing at Natalie, “you’re telling everyone you’re marrying into the Pierce family. If I don’t divorce, and you can’t marry in, what will people say?”
She laughed behind her hand.
“You!” Natalie was so mad she couldn’t speak.
The sales assistant came back with the wrapped scarf.
“Ms. Westwood, your item is ready,” she said, handing it over.
Finished
Clara took it and leaned close to Natalie’s ear and said, “Natalic, maybe you should try pleasing me. If I’m happy, I might just divorce and make room for you.”
“Clara, don’t get cocky,” Natalie snapped, glaring.
Clara waved the package. “Think about it,” she said as she leaves in a good mood.
Natalie stomped her feet, watching her go. She couldn’t stand it. How could Clara, that bitch, step on her?
“Clara, you’ll regret this,” she muttered.
New Year’s Eve.
Clara sat by her apartment window. She looked at the empty streets. Her heart felt hollow.
She thought to herself, back with the Westwood family, New Year’s Eve was warm. Uncles and aunts came over for dinner. Then the younger ones set off fireworks. But with the Pierce family, I slaved away cooking for them. They never thanked me. Desiree always grumbled about my background. She said I couldn’t help Francis and drove a wedge between him and his parents. She never showed kindness. Comparing the two, being the Westwood family’s young lady was so much better.
Lost in thought, her phone rang.
She saw the familiar number. After a pause, she answered.
“Clara, it’s New Year’s Eve. Wesley misses you. Want to spend it with us?” Francis said.
They’d filed for divorce, but Clara hadn’t blocked him.
“Francis, we’re getting divorced,” she said calmly, staring out the window.
mani Vlem mum ifme diumeen Waalan ke at
1/7
Chapter 28 New Year’s Eve
Finished
Then he added, “I heard news that Liam didn’t take you back to the Westwood family. Also, you don’t have friends nearby. I can’t stand you being alone.”
Clara smirked as she thought, can’t stand it? Now he cares about me being alone? When he left me for Natalie, wasn’t I alone then? Now that we are divorcing, he suddenly feels bad.
“Francis, before I met you, I was always alone. We lived together a few years. Now I’m just going back to how things were,” she said.
“Clara, this time we’ll stay at our place for New Year’s. Not my parents. I know you don’t like going there. I promise we won’t,” he said.
Clara froze. Then she laughed at herself as she thought, so, he’d known all along. He knew I hated New Year’s with his parents. He knew his mother disliked me and made things hard. He knew my struggles. But what did he do? He ignored me when I was mistreated. He blamed me along with everyone else when I was criticized. Every New Year’s Eve, I cooked alone and he never helped. I tried to keep peace between him and his parents. I didn’t want them to fight because of me. I’d asked to skip Pierce family events several times but he always said no. Now what was he doing?
Holding back tears, Clara took a deep breath. She let it out slowly. “Francis, there’s no need. After the divorce, we’re nothing. Don’t strain things with your parents.
Francis thought to himself, I didn’t expect her to refuse even after I gave in. Are we really done? The thought of losing her hurts my heart.
“Clara, for Wesley’s sake, let’s have New Year’s Eve dinner together. Even if we divorce, you’re his mom. That won’t change. He misses you. He keeps asking when you’ll come back,” he said.
