Regretting Divorce

LEO 

Hunter let go of the coat and faced Claire, making Zara’s teeth grit together. 

He was in a state of shock, his eyebrows flew high as he stared at her. Hunter walked towards her. He wanted to open his mouth and speak but the bewilderment he felt at what he was seeing left him speechless. 

A hand of his lifted and cupped her cheek. He felt bones under his touch. Her skin was highly cold and to irk him, she was wearing a thin cropped shirt that exposed her belly. His teeth clenched and a muscle at his jaw quivered. 

“What the hell have you done to yourself?” He glared at her. 

It has only been seven days. Just seven days and she lost weight and looked like a woman under depression. 

“Yeah, right, I did this to myself.” Claire smiled sarcastically, her eyes never leaving his. 

His touch made her uncomfortable. It was blazing and it gave rise to trembles in the pit of her stomach. Before it intensified and spread throughout her body, she stepped back 

Hunter fisted his hand and pulled it back. He studied her closely. The white cropped shirt was basically hanging on her shoulders. She had paired it with light blue baggy high–waisted denims, which made her look even thinner. 

As he opened his mouth to mock her for not taking care of herself, he felt soft hands wrap around his left elbow. He looked his left as Zara hesitantly bit her lips. Her forehead was creased and she seemed to be looking for shadow so she could 

hide in it 

Hunter grazed a look around them and sported a handful of men and women with cameras and mic. Blistering anger shot through him and he pulled Zara in his arms. 

“Let’s go 

inside.” He announced while moving. 

Claire was unable to move. Her shoulders hung in sorrow as she observed the man she loved so dearly giving cover to his first love, so she won’t be shot by the cameramen. On the other hand, she was standing exposed to cameras. She saw flashlights but didn’t budge. 

A woman with a mic approached her, followed by others. 

“Mrs. MacIntyre, the last time we interviewed you, you claimed that everything was fine between you and your husband? That you were planning your anniversary celebration again. Then what is this? You are outside the city hall” 

“A couple who comes to city hall for the second time doesn’t come for a good cause. Are you and Mr. MacIntyre divorcing?” 

Claire didn’t answer. Her mouth was dry. Not that she had the confidence to look them in the 

and speak. 

eye 

She was frozen to her spot because Hunter took Zara with him to save her from the cameras. But he didn’t think the same for her. What about her image? What about what she would feel? He didn’t care about her. 

“Is it because of Miss Levine?” The woman asked, forcing Claire to look up. 

She had to say something and change her questions. Otherwise, Hunter would blame her for dragging Zara’s name. 

The tears in her eyes made the journalist’s eyes soften. She bit her lips regretfully as she gestured to the cameras to lower down 

“I think we should not disturb her.” She said and moved away. 

13 

“Rest assured this clip will not go online, ma’am. We apologize for causing inconvenience to you.” 

Claire’s face blanched while more tears stung her eyes. She smiled painfully at the woman, feeling more vulnerable, 

“Even the journalists know what I need at this point.” 

She was still rooted to her place even after the journalists were gone. The kindness she received from the people who should run after her dazed her. This was their job. To publish spicy news online and get people talking on it. But they dropped it for her. To give her space. 

Even strangers could be polite and respectful. Unlike the man she spent two years with. The realization left a bitter taste in her mouth 

“What are you still doing here? Didn’t I tell you to come inside?” She heard his stern voice. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

Claire saw him with knitted eyebrows. He was irritated at her. 

“Or you want the journalists to make a fuss about our divorce before it has happened!” 

Her heart bled. She felt her skin frosting under his stare. 

“Assuming how boastfully you lied to the journalists the last time, they will not miss any opportunity to slander and humiliate you now we are divorcing. Don’t you care about your image, Claire MacIntyre?” His lips puckered with annoyance 

Seeing that Claire was motionless and quiet, Hunter grasped her wrist. He began to pull her with him before the cameramen and the journalists returned. 

“I can walk Hunter felt her wrist twist in his hold before she pulled it away. 

He peered at her as she hissed at him, “And I am not a Macintyre anymore. I am Claire Argent. Don’t forget that.” 

She brushed past him. Claire stopped after a few steps and turned around. 

“Talking about my image and what the journalists will do to me, it’s none of your business. I made a fool of myself two years ago when I said yes to marry you. I am prepared for all their insults. You worry about your girlfriend.” 

Hunter’s back stiffened. His dark stare burnt holes in her retreating figure. He blew a deep breath and journeyed after her. 

Inside City Hall, 

Claire looked around at other couples. They were all here to register their marriage. She and Hunter were the odd ones out who have arrived to receive their divorce certificate. 

Since she was well–known, the other women gawked at her with a ridiculed gaze. Some pitied her while some were simply amused. 

She recalled how happy she had been when she came here two years ago to receive her marriage certificate. Every step from when she said yes, was aired on the television for the world to see. She had been so happy that she wanted each living soul to know her love story. 

But now, she couldn’t dare look up and meet their eyes. 

Claire quietly followed Hunter into an office that was familiar to her. They visited the same official who registered their marriage. He forwarded a document for them to sign. 

Since Hunter was in a hurry to get rid of her, she noticed he sighed first. She couldn’t help but observe his fingers. They were intact, and gracefully danced over the document as he scribbled his signature. It was as though he was signing a billion 

dollar deal. 

When it was her turn, she closed her eyes cursed herself for feeling the way she was feeling. Her stomach was moving up and side, her breaths were ragged, and her hands twitched uncontrollably. 

Much to her relief, Hunter received a call and he excused himself to take it. The official left to run an important errand related to their divorce. Now it was only Claire and Zara standing side by side near the desk. 

As Claire held the pen. Zara laughed. A laugh which was only for Claire’s ears. 

“So sad. I don’t like seeing you like this, Claire. So lost and broken. But women like you, who think themselves as the cleverest, end up eating shit. Zara said in a hateful cone. 

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