Chapter 40
When Brian found out, he was overjoyed, unable to contain his happiness.):
If only those things hadn’t happened afterward… how wonderful that would have been.
In his memories, Claire was once vibrant and spirited, a radiant presence full of life. But now, the woman before him bore no resemblance to her former sell
Emotions flickered in Brian’s eyes.l
His throat felt constricted, as if choked by something, and though he wanted to speak, every word seemed painfully inadequate
The Claire before him, trembling with fear, her eyes wide with terror, was like a sharp blade piercing the softest part of his heart, cracking the iron shell he had built around it.h
“You can leave,” Brian finally spoke, his voice softened with a hint of exhaustion, stripped of its former coldness and strength.
He slowly lowered his hand, clenching it into a fist.)
Claire remained huddled on the floor, and though Brian frowned slightly, a surge of impulse to gather her in his arms and comfort her rose within him. Yet, he ruthlessly suppressed it.
1 said leave-“|
Claire couldn’t hear what Brian was saying. Blood mixed with tears blurred her vision, obscuring his lips.
Panicked, she wiped her face with her hand, her eyes wide as she stared intently at Brian’s mouth.
Finally, she understood his message.
Leave?
He was telling her to leave.S
Was he letting her go?!
A whirlwind of indescribable emotions surged through her–relief, disbelief, and most of all, the overwhelming joy of surviving a disaster, “I’ll go. Il leave right away“}
Her voice was shaky and hoarse. Ignoring the pain in her knees and forehead, she scrambled to her feet, using her hands and feet.X
Her injured leg barely supported her, and she stumbled several times, nearly falling, but the instinct to survive pushed her onward.
She was terrified that Brian might change his mind, so she didn’t dare delay for even a moment, fleeing without looking back.
Brian stood motionless for a long time, only withdrawing his gaze when her bedraggled figure disappeared completely from sight.
He sat on the edge of the bed, gently tracing his fingers over the pillow, “Irene, I let her go so easily, would you be angry with your brother?“%
But what could he do? He could never harden his heart against her.X
Irene lay there silently, offering no response.
The hospital corridor lights were harsh, and Claire squinted as she stumbled forward.
Her body seemed to move on its own, colliding with walls and brushing past people, but she paid no mind to any of it.
Passersby cost curious glances her way, but she ignored them, fixated on only one thought–getting as for away from Brian as possible.
She was terrified that if she didn’t move quickly enough, Brian would come after her.
In her haste, she failed to notice someone exiting a nearby consultation room.
She collided directly with the person, the rebound sending her sprawling backward.
In an instant, a strong hand caught her waist, pulling her back into a firm embrace.!!
“Claire. The familiar yet distant voice of a man resonated above her.
Looking up, she found herself gazing into Vincent’s gentle eyes, his pupils reflecting her resistance.
Like touching a live wire, she pushed him away forcefully, then lowered her eyes and turned to leave.
But she had barely taken two steps when Vincent’s hand closed around her wrist. Despite her struggles, she found herself powerless against his grip.
