No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 13

"If you've calmed down, let's talk properly," York said.

Claudia felt like she was broken beyond repair.

She had no energy to speak, lying with her eyes closed as if she were on the verge of death.

York hesitated for a moment before getting up to clean the bathroom.

It wasn't as if they'd never fought before, but Claudia had never destroyed things.

And she never needed him to coax her.

Once her anger subsided, she would always come to him and make up.

In the end, she simply loved him too much. So much that when he missed their third anniversary, her hurt and anger led her to reject the gift he later offered to make amends.

After showering and changing into his pajamas, York went downstairs, brought up a bowl of soup, and returned to the bedroom.

He placed the bowl on the nightstand and went to wake Claudia. "Get up and have some soup."

Claudia turned over, her back to him.

York sat on the edge of the bed and authoritatively pulled her up, leaning her against him.

"Have the soup," he said, "and I'll overlook the fact that you faked fainting and tattled to my mother."

Claudia's voice was a hoarse whisper, her expression numb. "York, if I were actually dying, would you still think I was faking it?"

It was true she had been willful and spoiled before the Watkins family went bankrupt.

But in her three years of marriage to York, she had long since ceased to be that same person.

York turned Claudia's body to face him. "It seems you still haven't calmed down enough."

"I can't be calm when I see you," she replied.

York let her go and stood up. "In that case, I'll stay somewhere else. We'll talk when you've finally calmed down."

With that, York went into the walk-in closet to change. A few minutes later, he emerged, fully dressed.

He paused at the foot of the bed, standing there silently for a moment.

Seeing her still in that lifeless state, he left without a backward glance.

He left Claudia alone to face the overwhelming tide of her emotions.

The next morning.

She had lost interest in everything. She certainly had no desire to shop.

When they reached the entrance of the store, they were stopped by security. "I'm sorry, ladies, but the store has been booked for a private event."

Darleen was dumbfounded. "In Capital City, who has the clout to book the entire Ferguson luxury department store?"

Claudia tugged on Darleen's arm. "Let's just go somewhere else. It doesn't matter."

She had only come out for a breath of fresh air, not to buy anything.

But Darleen wouldn't budge. "I'm going to find out who booked it."

Seeing that Darleen and Claudia were dressed expensively, the security guard was polite but firm. "Miss, we really can't disclose that information."

Darleen's eyes flashed with a warning. "This store is a Ferguson family property. I am Darleen Ferguson, daughter of the family. If you try to stop me again, I'll have you all fired immediately!"

The security guards were intimidated. Darleen seized the opportunity and pulled Claudia inside.

Darleen led Claudia to the elevator. "Come on, Claudia, let's go check out the shoes on the third floor."

As Claudia and Darleen stepped off the elevator, they ran into York.