Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 51

“I signed a contract with her. No matter what happens now, she doesn’t have to take any responsibility.”

Aaron could see I was dead set on this. He just couldn’t wrap his head around why I was acting like there was no other choice.

He tried to rush over and pull me back, but Laird stepped in and stopped him.

“Calm down. If you go out there and something goes wrong, it’s going to be two people dead instead of one.”

Aaron struggled, furious, but he wasn’t as strong as Laird. All he could do was watch as I stood there, staring down Claire’s car.

Aaron’s voice cracked as he screamed, desperate and wild. “Lambert! Get out of the way! Please, move!”

But Claire was already set. She started the car and locked eyes with me. There was no hesitation. She slammed her foot on the gas.

The engine’s roar cut through the night as the car surged toward me.

I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to see it coming, but I could hear everything. The engine, the tires, Aaron’s voice tearing at the air.

My time was almost up anyway. If I was going to die, letting it be at her hands didn’t seem so bad. Maybe, just maybe, that would finally let her move on.

The car got closer, the sound getting louder until it was all anyone could hear. Everyone held their breath, frozen, not daring to look. No one could believe this was really happening.

Aaron lost it, his screams breaking apart.

Then, out of nowhere, the screech of brakes split the night. The car stopped right in front of me.

Everyone stared. Even I couldn’t believe it—I opened my eyes and looked ahead.

Claire was sitting there, gripping the wheel, her eyes fixed on me.

I used to hate seeing her cry, would do anything to keep her from hurting. Now she was so cold, so numb, she probably didn’t even remember what pain felt like.

I couldn’t blame her for anything she’d done. Everything she’d been through was because of me.

After a long pause, we both looked away. Claire got out of the car and walked over.

She stopped right in front of me and looked up. “Do you ever regret leaving back then?”

She watched me, waiting. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her eyes.

“No,” I said quietly. “Not once.”

As soon as I said it, I saw the last bit of hope fade from her face. The light in her eyes just went out.