April Fools “Surprise” Husband Divorcing Me For His “Pure” Girl novel Chapter 44

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

wenty-something years of my life? A fucking joke.

‘rom now on, Claire’s dead.

Text day. Pouring rain.

stood at my parents’ graves, letting the freezing water soak through everything.

Memories kept flashing. Me and Liam when things were good. Sweet. Happy.

and years before that-me clinging to Mom and Dad’s legs, sobbing, begging them not to take Summer to that construction site out of state.

Please, I’ll go with you. I’ll work extra jobs. Just let her stay and finish school.”

he sister I killed myself protecting? She stabbed me in the back.

he man I loved for seven years? He torched my entire life.

closed my eyes. The pain in my chest had gone numb.

My phone kept buzzing in the rain.

Claire, listen-this guy’s connected. Don’t go head-to-head with him. You’ll lose.”

wiped rain off my face. Tried to sound normal.

Thanks, Captain.”

I’ve thought it over. This job isn’t for me. Found a new direction.”

lung up. Stared at the gray sky.

ain mixed with tears. Couldn’t tell which was which anymore.

uddenly-a black umbrella appeared over my head.

>idn’t need to turn around. I knew.

hat cold, clean scent I used to love? Now it made me sick.

iam’s voice behind me. Soft as ever.

You’ll catch a cold.”

didn’t move.

Claire, stop being stubborn.”

He shoved a job offer into my hand.

‘I got you a new position. Executive at a publicly traded company. Easy hours. Million a year salary. Way better than cop work.”

“I don’t want it.”

He destroyed my dream. Now he’s throwing money at me like that fixes it.

His tone stayed patient. Like he’s talking to a toddler.

hapter 3

laire, I know you’re upset. But everything I’m doing is for you. I can’t watch you put yourself in danger. I promised your late parents I’d take care of you. ou don’t have to fight alone anymore.”

or me?”

finally turned around. Started laughing.

e sound echoed through the rain, hollow and broken.

am frowned.

top throwing a tantrum, Claire.”

know this is hard to accept right now. But when you calm down, you’ll understand. After all these years together-”

snorted.

e’s so sure I’m obsessed with him. That I can’t leave.

› sure I’ll roll over like a good little pet and take whatever he gives me.

stared at his face. The rage peaked.

ight in front of him, I tore that job offer into pieces. Page by page.

arew them in his face.

jam! You don’t get to decide my fucking life!”

never want to see you again!”

aper fluttered everywhere, sticking to his wet face. He looked pathetic.

expected anger. Fury.

othing.

e just watched me. Voice still calm.

laire, I’ll wait for you to cool off.”

turned to leave.

ut days of stress and emotional hell had wrecked me. My body gave out.

verything went black. I hit the ground.

ast thing I saw before I passed out-panic flashing across Liam’s always-composed face.

‘robably imagined it.

When I woke up, Liam was at my bedside. Looked like shit.

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