Chapter 15
The hallways of the psychiatric hospital were cold and sterile. Harsh white fluorescent lights stretched Grayson’s shadow across the floor
He Iseld a thick folder in his hand–a compilation of everything Claire had done over the years. Embezzlement, corporate fraud, assault, and most dawning of all, the meticulous plan she’d orchestrated to frame Savannah.
The door to the observation room creaked open.
n, a flicker of
Claire huddled in the corner, her face pale beneath layers of bandages–wounds from a failed attempt at self–harm. When she saw Grayson, desperate hope sparked in her eyes.
“Grayson… you’re here to take me home, aren’t you?” she crawled toward him on her knees, her frail body trembling with every movement. Filthy hospital scrubs clung to her limbs, and her fingers clutched at the leg of his tailored trousers.
Grayson didn’t speak.
He slowly crouched down, towering over her as he looked into her hollow eyes. His voice was calm and cold: “Do you know why I’m here, Claire?“”
She shook her head, tears welling up. “1… I now I made mistakes… I know I was wrong
“Wrong?” A bitter laugh escaped his lips. He tossed the folder onto the floor in front of her. “This is your idea of a mistake?”
ire glanced down, and as the contents spilled out–documents, transfers, photographs–her face tumed bloodless.
“No… no, these aren’t reall Someone’s framing me. Believe me… please.”
“Framing you?” Grayson leaned in, grabbing her chin so hard she whimpered “Do you honestly think I’d fall for another one of your lies?”
He let go, pulled out a handkerchief, and wiped his hand as if removing something vile.
The gesture sliced deeper than any word.
Claire’s eyes widened, and with a shriek, she lunged at him–only for him to drive a boot into her chest, sending her sprawling to the ground
“You bastard!” she screamed, sobbing and wild–eyed. “I did everything because I loved you!”
“Love?” Grayson’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “You destroyed everything I had with Savannah.. for love?”
He stood, adjusting his suit jacket, gaze colder than steel. “Fine. Then I’ll return the favor.
He turned to the doctors waiting silently by the door. “Starting today, her treatment plan goes through me.“!
The doctor handed him a fresh file. Grayson opened it
Parent Boc87
Prescribed Protocol: Electroconvulsive Therapy, Long–Term Medication Control, Permanent Involuntary Commitment.
Claire’s shrieks turned into a frenzied fit as two orderlies entered the room to restrain her.
“No! You can’t do this! 1 curse you, Grayson Whitmore! You never earn Savannah’s forgiveness!
Grayson didn’t flinch. He turned and walked out, her screams echoing behind him.
He stopped in the corridor and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled around his face as his eyes grew darker with every exhale.
Daniel approached cautiously. “Mr. Whitmore, per your orders–Monroe family assets have been frozen. Claire’s parents are under federal restriction. They won’t be able to help her, or even reach her.
Grayson gave a quiet nod. “Leak the embezzlement reports to the pr
press. I want her name rulped.”
Daniel gave a crisp “yes, sir” and departed.
Grayson stubbed out the cigarette on the window ledge, staring into the night sky beyond the glass.
No punishment could ever truly repay what Savannah had suffered.
But at the very least, Claire would never hurt anyone again.
