Chapter 9
Chapter 9
He didn’t chase after me, standing quietly in place, silently whispering an apology.
A month later, he broke our appointment.[]
“We had agreed to meet at family court to sign the final divorce decree, but he texted at the last minute saying he had to fly to Dallas on business.“[]
I knew he was stalling, unwilling to face that moment of official goodbye.[]
During this time, he began quietly trying to rebuild contact–sending coffee, flowers, bracelets, like those days years ago when he’d helped me emerge from the shadow of my parents‘ deaths.
But I refused everything.
At 3 AM, he suddenly appeared outside my new apartment building, calling to ask me to come down.
“Claire, I’m worried about you… I’m afraid you’ll do something foolish.“]
almost laughed out loud.
“David, you always think you understand me, but you don’t understand me at all.“[]
“You think I’ll break down, that I’ll fall apart? Honestly, leaving you two terrible people behind, I’ve been living more fully and happily than ever.”
Eighteen–year–old Claire might have needed David’s protection, but present–day Claire didn’t.
David’s eyes were bloodshot as he searched my face for any trace of insincerity.
Finally, he seemed to break down, losing control as he roared:[]
“I’m sorry, it’s me–I need you, I can’t live without you! Claire, please come back to me!“[]
I looked at him calmly, then called apartment security to have him removed.[]
When the cooling–off period ended and the judgment entered official execution phase, he was still “on business” in Dallas.[]
I edited the most “brilliant” parts of that car recording and sent them to his email.
He came back the next day.
“Claire, tomorrow we’ll sign the final papers.“[]
“Before that, could I take you to one last dinner? Consider it goodbye.“]
I agreed.
I owed it to eighteen–year–old David.[]
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Without him, I might have followed my family in death that year.[]
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This final meal was at home.
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He personally cooked a whole table of dishes–all my favorites: tomato chicken pasta, grilled sea bass, Caesar salad… From ingredient selection to spice combinations, still precise and familiar.[]
Only the taste could never be recaptured.
David’s phone, sitting beside him, suddenly rang.[]
Lena’s name appeared on the screen.]]
He glanced at me nervously, explaining:[]
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1 already broke up with her. And she moved out long ago–she’s not living upstairs anymore.“}
I said flatly: “That’s your private business. No need to report to me.”
The ringtone persisted stubbornly.[]
1 suddenly remembered Maya mentioning running into Lena at the hospital yesterday, and couldn’t help smirking.[]
“Sure you don’t want to answer? Your affair partner seems to have urgent business.“]
David hesitated before pressing the answer button.[]
To prove his innocence, he even put it on speaker.]
But Lena’s words made his face change dramatically.[]
“David, I’m pregnant!“]
Her voice bubbled with joy.]
want to see you right now!“]]
David’s face went instantly pale as he shouted into the phone:[]
“That’s impossible! The only time I came inside you, you took the morning–after pill!“[]
As he said this, he didn’t even dare look at my face.[]
Lena clearly hadn’t expected such a violent reaction. Her tone softened:[]
“David, I’m not lying. I really am pregnant. You forgot about that night we broke up when we still…”
David interrupted furiously:]
“I wore a condom–pregnancy is impossible!“[]
Lena replied matter–of–factly:]
“Well how should I know?“[]
“The point is–I’m pregnant, the baby is yours, and if you try to disappear, I swear I’ll show up at your company and make a huge scene. Let’s see how you explain that to your business partners!“[]
David’s eyes clouded with darkness. He abruptly hung up, then slowly turned his gaze toward me–my face showing not the slightest surprise.]]
He finally realized something:
“Claire, this situation… does it have something to do with you?”
Though he was scum, he was still smart in the end.[]
I was the one who punctured the condom, but if he truly felt remorse, how could he still be entangled with Lena after “breaking up“? If he never touched Lena again, how could today’s situation have happened?]
I didn’t answer David. Standing up, I said:[]
“I’m leaving first. Go comfort your little girlfriend before she storms into your office and drags your reputation through the mud.“]
I hadn’t expected him to lose control. Just as I was about to walk out the door, he knocked me unconscious from behind.[]
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