The Colonel’s Claim: After the Divorce novel Chapter 2

Seeing Clara with her back turned as she searched the closet, Stella secretly grabbed her phone and texted Scarlett Yates:

[Scarlett, I have something to do later and have to take a trip to Charleston. I won't be able to hang out with you, I'm so sorry! I'll come back as fast as I can and find you immediately. I'll make sure to text you over the next few days!]

There was no immediate reply.

Stella bit her lip anxiously, terrified that Scarlett would be disappointed...

"Stella, how about this outfit?"

Clara held up a dress for her to see.

Stella furrowed her brow, put down her phone, and glared at Clara in annoyance.

"Mom, you're so nagging. Don't you know I hate wearing dresses now?"

Ever since she saw Scarlett's chic, commanding outfits during business meetings, Stella had refused to wear dresses.

She wanted to grow up to be as outstanding as Scarlett.

She didn't want to end up like her mother, a stay-at-home mom who only knew how to cook, do laundry, and nag...

Clara paused. "Then what do you like? I can buy you something new..."

"No thanks!"

Their tastes were entirely different. She only wanted Scarlett to pick out her clothes.

"Mom, just get out!"

Stella hopped out of bed, shoved Clara out with her bare feet, and slammed the door shut. She grabbed her phone again to text Scarlett:

[Scarlett, I promise I'll be back tomorrow!]

Scarlett: [Sorry Stella, I was just eating breakfast and didn't see your messages.]

[I'm not mad. Go spend time with Caleb, it's totally fine. I'll actually be heading to Charleston later too, so we can see each other then.]

Stella paused: [Are you going to Charleston to visit Martha? Does Dad know?]

Scarlett: [He knows.]

Stella suddenly lit up with joy. Thinking of something, she typed out another message—

Outside the door.

Listening to the heavy slam of the door, Clara took a step back, a sudden, indescribable wave of sorrow washing over her...

She had raised her daughter single-handedly, never imagining a day would come when she would be shut out with such impatience.

Clara pressed her lips together tightly and knocked on the door to remind her.

"You have low blood sugar, so remember to come downstairs and eat your sandwich once you're dressed."

No one answered...

The phone in her pocket buzzed.

She was used to making do, compromising—just like she compromised on this marriage, which had long been diluted by time, all for the sake of their daughter.

She knew very well that the man had no love left for her; the fiery passion they once shared was long dead.

After packing the clothes, she went to the study to grab his laptop, just in case he needed it.

Aside from their first year of marriage, she rarely stepped foot in this room over the past few years. Dominic treated her like an outsider and forbade her from entering.

His attitude had shifted from mild reminders at first to cold, harsh commands later on.

She wondered if all men were like this—changing and getting bored after marriage, turning their past promises and love into nothing more than a cruel joke.

Clara numbly slipped the laptop into the bag.

Just as she was about to leave,

She noticed out of the corner of her eye that a drawer was slightly ajar.

The documents inside were stacked haphazardly, looking quite messy.

She paused and instinctively pulled the drawer open to organize them.

But when she saw the words printed on the topmost document,

All the color drained from her face, and she stood frozen in place—

Divorce Agreement!