Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 80

Claire stared into Deanna’s eyes, searching for any sign of a lie. She found nothing, but it just felt too rehearsed. She was sure they were hiding something from her.

“Fine. If you say there’s nothing, I’ll believe you.” Her tone was cool and even.

Deanna finally let herself relax, but before she could say another word, her phone started ringing.

“Deanna, can you come over here? We have an emergency patient.”

“I’ll be right there.”

She hung up in a rush and turned to Claire. “You’re both my friends. I don’t want to see either of you get hurt. Whatever this is, just talk it out, okay?”

Claire drew a long, slow breath, trying to keep herself calm. “Alright. Go. They need you.”

As soon as Deanna left, Claire stepped into my room.

I’d heard their whole conversation from my bed. Seeing her walk in now, I didn’t expect anything good.

“Claire,” I said, my voice flat, “what’s up? Just say what you came to say. I want to rest.”

Her face, which had softened a little with Deanna, turned cold again.

“So what, I can’t come in here unless I have some reason?”

I couldn’t think of a reply. “That’s not what I meant. You can come whenever you want. It’s not like I could stop you.”

“I’m not exactly in the best shape to be a host, though. Sit wherever you want.”

I rolled onto my back and laced my hands behind my head, staring at the ceiling and ignoring her.

She clearly didn’t like that.

“You look fine to me. You should be back at work the day after tomorrow.”

Fine? Did she not notice the bandages around my thigh? I felt a wave of disappointment.

“I don’t think that’s possible. My leg’s hurt. I can barely get around.”

There it was again. Docking my pay. I gave a tired, bitter smile.

I finally asked the question I’d been holding in. “Is this really just how you want to punish me? Is this your way of torturing me?”

She stood with her back to me, and her answer was instant, without a trace of hesitation.

“Yes. That’s exactly what it is. You got it right.”

She didn’t even try to hide it. Something cold and heavy settled in my chest.

“So what do I have to do for you to let me go? I know my life isn’t worth much, but I don’t want to be under anyone’s thumb.”

She was already halfway out the door, but my words made her pause. Her hand stayed on the doorknob for a long moment before she finally answered.

“If you want me to let you go, you’ll have to wait until I’m dead. Or you are.”

She walked out and slammed the door behind her. The sound echoed through the room and left my heart in pieces.