Although Claire had long known they didn't care about her, Nathan's words still pierced her heart.
He didn't even bother to pretend to love her.
Fortunately, she hid her emotions well. From her stubborn exterior, no one could tell how deeply she was hurt inside.
"Fine," she said coolly.
Nathan's eyebrows furrowed. "What did you say?"
Looking up with determination at the family of four standing on the second floor, Claire replied calmly, "Fine. I'll leave the Linwood family now. From today, I sever all ties with the Linwoods. Mr. and Mrs. Linwood, rest assured, I will never bother you again." In her heart, she added a silent vow that even if she died outside, she would never return.
With those words, she felt no regret for leaving this family behind.
After three years of being hurt to the core, she had learned her lesson well; she would never again yearn for a familial love that was never hers.
This time, she walked quickly despite the pain in her injured leg. The light in her once-dull eyes began to shine with the promise of freedom as she shook off her chains.
In no time, she opened the door to the living room and stepped out.
She felt no attachment, nor did she look back. Her departure was resolute.
Ethan's eyes widened in shock, and he wanted to chase after Claire, but the stomach pain left him too weak to stand. All he could do was shout desperately at the slowly closing door, "Claire, come back!"
His shout echoed through the vast living room, draining him of all his strength.
But Claire didn't turn back; she barely registered the sound of someone yelling something.
Whatever it was, it no longer concerned her.
As she stepped out of the Linwood family mansion, the tension in her nerves began to ease.
Her steps were light, and after walking for about five minutes, she saw a figure approaching.
In the dead of night, spotting a man suddenly made Claire's heart skip a beat.
How tragic!
Victor walked past her without noticing her in the shadowy corner.
Her eyes followed him until he entered the Linwood mansion, and only then did she realize he must be there to see Ethan.
Stepping out of the shadows, Claire quickened her pace.
Her original plan was to find a hotel for the night and look for a job the next day.
Now, she had changed her mind. She decided to leave Cresthaven.
She had overheard the Linwoods in the study. Nathan clearly intended to follow Brian's wishes and make her kneel by Irene's hospital bed to beg for forgiveness.
But why should she?
Nathan and Adah knew full well that Irene had been pushed down the stairs by Vanessa, yet they insisted Claire take the blame for Vanessa.
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