Chapter 112
They were supposed to be the closest of family!!
Yet Claire only looked at Vincent with cold detachment, her face a mask devoid of emotion. Her gaze was like two icy daggers piercing straight through him. To her Vincent’s question was utterly absurd. A few slaps, and he couldn’t handle it? How did he treat her?
When she needed him the most, he had sent her to prison without a second thought, all for Vanessa’s sake. Those five years behind bars were a constant nightmare of darkness and despair, and Vincent was the architect of it all. After everything he had done to her, didn’t he deserve a beating?
Vincent’s eyes began to redden as he searched for even a flicker of their past warmth in Claire’s frosty stare, but all he found was a chasm of disdain.
Vanessa stood nearby, quietly reveling in the discord between Vincent and Claire. Outwardly, she feigned concern, gently tugging on Vincent’s sleeve and speaking in a soft voice, “Vincent, don’t be sad. Maybe she’s still upset.
After consoling Vincent, she turned her tear–filled eyes toward Claire, looking pitifully wronged. “Claire, don’t blame Vincent. If you must blame someone, blame me. It’s all my fault, and it’s only right for you to be angry with me.”
Her voice trembled with a convincing vulnerability that could easily deceive those unfamiliar with the truth.
Claire scoffed. “Spare me your act, Vanessa, I remember every single thing you’ve done.”
She was biding her time, waiting until she had secured May and Mandy’s future before confronting Vanessa. Her own body, frail and worn, wouldn’t hold out for much longer, but she intended to take Vanessa down with her when the time came.X
With a look of pure disgust, Claire addressed both Vincent and Vanessa, “Seeing you makes me sick. Please, spare me from any more of your visits under the guise of concern.
“How can you say that, Claire?” Vanessa tried to maintain her pretense of innocence, but when she saw Claire’s hand rise, her words caught in her throat, and she fell silent, though her eyes flashed with a hint of malice.
Vincent watched Claire, yearning to approach her, to exchange even a few more words, but fear kept him rooted in place, his eyes filled with pain and helplessness. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke with a hoarse voice, “Claire, you’re not yourself today. I’ll come back when you’re feeling better.”
With that, he took
Vanessa’s hand and left.8
Once they were gone, Claire finally exhaled, relieved. “What a miserable encounter”
Her previously decent mood had soured completely. All she wanted now was to leave the hospital and breathe fresh air again.
But as she lifted her head, she locked eyes with a pair of deep, cold black eyes. The newcomer regarded her like a predator eyeing its prey, exuding an overwhelming sense of dominance.
He advanced toward her, one deliberate step at a time.
Claire’s pupils contracted as a wave of anxiety surged through her. Brian!
What was he doing here? What did he want?!
With each step Brian took closer, Claire’s breathing became more erratic.
He was the one person she dreaded most, the one she could never afford to cross. His ruthlessness was legendary, instilling a fear in her so profound it was etched into her very bones.)
Just the sight of him made her body tremble involuntarily. She wanted to flee, but her lens foll
Brian stopped before her, looking down with an air of menacing authority, his gaze full of aggression.
like they were weighed down with lead.
