Regretting Divorce

16 

Penelope was too inflamed by Hunter’s behaviour to keep her mouth shut. However, Cole eyed her dangerously. It reminded Penelope of the doctor’s words. They should keep stress causing factors away from her. 

“Err.….. I was saying… I was saying that though Hunter was worried for Zara he didn’t forget to check up on you, Claire. Hunter spent his nights sitting by you on this stool. He never left you alone for once throughout the night and his back is brutally stiff now.” Penelope blurted out.. 

She peered at Cole as if asking with her gaze if her lie was up to the mark. Since the doctor said they must not give her stress, the best way to avoid it was to give her happy news so her mood would be elevated 

I 

But Cole’s blazing glare indicated that it was more than too much… 

Claire wouldn’t believe that provided that Hunter hardly waited to see her when she last woke up. Even on that night when Zara was being operated in the operation room and Claire fell on the floor while getting up, Hunter barely moved from his place. 

She may be weak but she wasn’t a fool. There was no way that she would believe that he spent three nights sitting beside her on a stool! 

Even if Claire doubted it, she didn’t utter a word. She remained quiet and took her medicines when given to her. She ate her food silently too. When it was time to rest, she asked Penelope to leave her alone in the room, which she did without any second thought while saying. I have a phone call to make. I’ll go downstairs. You can rest well, Claire, I will be here when you wake up.” 

Ten minutes after she was gone, Claire stepped out of her ward. She couldn’t control the itch in her chest. It needed to be taken care of, and it was only going to be disposed of once she saw Hunter. And she knew where he miglu bel 

Hence she started looking for Zara’s ward. 

Thousands of needles of anguish pricked her heart when she pondered that. Hunter should have been in her ward with her. But she knew that Zara’s ward is where she was going to find her husband. 

She didn’t have to struggle to find the ward Zara was shifted in. It was surprisingly on the same floor as hers, and in the extreme left corner while hers was in the extreme right. 

It seemed that Hunter Macintyre asked for the hospital to keep his wife and his mistress on the same floor while the other wards were left. unoccupied. It wouldn’t be a big thing to make it happen for him. He was the heir of the wealthiest family in Moomcrest after all. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Anyway, Claire was right outside the door. It was closed and yet somehow she was able to listen to what they were talking inside the room. And through the see–through circle she could see what was happening on the other side of the door. 

A very familiar and sharp pain pierced her chest. It was the pain that started on the day of her second marriage anniversary. It grew intense in her chest, making breathing difficult. 

Claire closed a hand on her mouth as she witnessed Hunter’s head pressed on Zara’s chest. He was hugging her tight while she was trying to soothe him. 

Tm fine, Hunter. Look, I’m all well.” She grinned faintly as the corner of her mouth was bruised, showing that she was forced inhumanly. 

Hunter refused to let her go. He was frozen there. If Claire wasn’t wrong, she could bear soft sobs coming from within. She felt her knees become jelly when he lifted his head. Hunter covered Zara’s full frame on the bed. 

“I will never forgive myself. It’s because of me you had to go through that. If only I didn’t leave you alone that evening, you wouldn’t have left the penthouse. I’m sorry” His words struck Claire like a missile, 

If only I didn’t leave you alone that evening- those words rendered her motionless. 

He left because Claire was hospitalized. Did he mean that he would have let his wife be in the hospital in care of his friend and Housekeeper while he looked after Zara! Claire’s body buzzed with tormenting pain. She took a step back and felt herself falling again. 

She stood against the wall next to the door and closed her eyes. Their voices ringing in her ears as they continued to speak. 

“That has nothing to do with your leave, Hunter. It was written in my fate… Just like me becoming a widow at a young age. Nobody could stop it Don’t blame yourself for my condition.” Zara said softly. 

For a victim of gang rape, she was seriously very strong 

‘Maybe she’s seen worse which is why this doesn’t affect her much‘ Claire thought. 

“I wasn’t there to stop it for you. But now I swear to god that I will not let any harm come to you, Zara. You have me.” Hunter said. 

“Don’t be a fool, Hunter. You have a wife. Think about her first. I’m just…” 

“You are my woman, Zara. I will think about you all my life. As for Claire, she’s just my wife for the show. 

1. v. I will divorce her soon and be with you.” 

Claire bit into her palm to control her sobs. Her heart thundered in her chest, hearing her husband call another woman his woman.. 

“What nonsense is that, Hunter? Claire is your wife. You can’t say that about her. Don’t forget the sacrifices she made for you, and the time she invested in this marriage to make you happy. She’s your woman and you are her man exclusively. Don’t ever forget that.” Zara retorted, and if Claire wasn’t dreaming then she also noticed that her voice was sounding pissed 

I’m glad you still have feelings for me. But it’s a waste now. I can’t be any man’s woman. I am not fit to be a–any ma–man’s woman a–after this.” Zara stamunered, causing Claire’s walls of patience to come crashing down. 

She removed her hand and sped off like there was a zombie after her. 

Claire’s vision was blurry, her heart too upset to hear normally. She clenched her teeth from chattering as she darted to her ward. Right outside the door she ran into a person and came to a jerking halt. 

“Oh gosh, Claire, why are you out of your bed?” She heard Penelope. 

Throwing her hands around her shoulders as Penelope was holding her by the waist, Claire sobbied against her shoulder. 

“S–she didn’t deserve it, Penelope. Zara is so nice and chaste. Why did god have to make her go through hell!” She uttered while Penelope’s eyes widened in daze 

“Claire, what are you…” 

“Perhaps Hunter was right, our betterment lies in our divorce. Zara definitely deserves someone who will love her, and who will do it better than Hunter. They both are made for each other. I’m being a bitch who’s standing between them.” 

Penelope took her inside and made her sit on the bed. She offered Claire water which she refused and continued, “Cole was right. Zara is a pure soul. I was judging her wrong all along. I am such a bitch.” 

Penelope didn’t understand why sudden change of heart. She first made Claire come to some senses and asked her everything 

What she heard was enough to make her ears bleed. Zara was. So selflessly kind. 

“I actually had a word with Cole about Zara’s past. She really is a tough woman to survive after being tormented in the hands of her in–laws and husband. Penelope shared and that made Claire feel even worse. 

“In fact, the two culprits Cole and Hunter caught revealed something. They were sent by Zara’s mother–in–law, Claire. They intended to ruin her dignity completely so no other man would want her: Penelope said. 

“What she didn’t know was that my husband would climb dangerous mountains if she was on the other side of it to be with her.” Claire mumbled as more tears spilled from her eyes. 

“Penelope, I want to talk to Hunter’s lawyer. He probably has a new copy of our divorce agreement. I will sign it and leave them alone.” 

Penelope stared at her with teary eyes, “Will you really give up on your love, Claire? You love him a lot.” 

“Until a few days ago, all of you wanted me to get rid of my husband. Now you can’t believe me when I say I’m ready to leave him? A sad smile stretched on Claire’s lips. 

“I know it’s surprising but I will do it. For Zara. Hunter can go to hell. But Zara, she needs love and a loving partner. She smiled further, making Penelope’s heart skip a beat 

A smile on that pale face looked like a bloodstain on a flawless white gown. 

“Oh Claire,” She hugged her friend 

“Don’t worry about me, Penny. I may not have Hunter but I have all of you.’ Claire chuckled as the two of them hugged each other for a while. 

When Claire wasn’t crying anymore, she asked for her phone. She had Hunter’s lawyer’s number. 

“You really want to do it? Penelope asked her one last time. 

The… 

Should Claire really do it? Leave her love for someone else? Or is it equivalent to being free again and she doesn’t realize it? What are your