Chapter 1
Third Person's POV
"Ma'am, your husband has cheated on you. The divorce agreement in your hand is real, and there is no agreed time for remarriage. As long as you file it, you can actually complete the divorce process. If you don't want a divorce, I can help you revoke this document."
"No, just file it for me. When can the divorce process be completed?"
"Three days later."
Clarissa sat in a cafe with the lawyer, recalling what happened yesterday.
“Mrs. Daniel, your husband’s frozen sperm, stored here at the hospital, was taken five years ago. It was donated to Ms. Gabrielle Hawkins. Didn’t he tell you?”
Clarissa Daniel’s smile froze the second she heard that name. For a moment, she thought she’d misheard and asked again in an unsteady voice, “Is it possible there was a mistake? My husband’s name is Norris Daniel.”
The doctor tapped the keyboard a few more times, double-checking. Then he looked up and said firmly, “There’s no mistake. I can still remember, when Ms. Hawkins gave birth, Mr. Daniel even sent a thank-you banner to the hospital.”
The words hit her like a blow. Her hand, resting on the wheelchair arm, slipped off, powerless, then a buzzing filled her ears.
Five years ago, she and Norris got married.
Back then, he’d told her he didn’t want her to suffer through childbirth, and had volunteered to get a vasectomy. She’d been so touched by his thoughtfulness back then.
Still, fearing he might regret it one day, she insisted he freeze some sperm first, just in case.
Lately, He was under great pressure from his parents. In order to help him share the pain, she also wanted to have a child of their own.So, she came to the hospital on her own, planning to surprise him with a pregnancy.
But instead, he’d surprised her first.
And the name Gabrielle chilled her to the bone.
Gabrielle was the older girl from next door, whom Norris had secretly loved for fifteen years. He’d planned a grand confession before she went overseas, only to be flat-out rejected.
It was during that heartbreak that Clarissa stayed by his side, warming him with her sunny optimism. Eventually, they got married.
She truly believed he’d moved on, that he’d fallen in love with her.
Now she realized he never had. He never let go of Gabrielle. Clarissa was just the consolation prize in a sad little game she played with herself.
The doctor noticed the sudden change in her complexion and asked a few concerned questions.
Clarissa forced a smile. “I’m fine,” she murmured, wheeling herself out of the hospital and heading home.
Still in a daze, she pushed the door open, assuming the place was empty, until the faint clinking of glasses reached her from the balcony.
“Norris, are you really going through with the divorce? Clarissa’s been with you for five years. Don’t you love her even a little?”
Norris’s voice was lazy, almost indifferent as he replied, “When Gabrielle needed me to get married for the sake of her stability, I agreed. But now she doesn’t need that anymore. And I don’t want to keep Clarissa tied to me out of guilt. That’s the only reason I married her in the first place.”
The voice on the balcony paused, then asked again, more seriously, “Does Clarissa know you and Gabrielle have a child together? She loves you so much. If you really divorce her, I bet she’ll disappear without a trace. You’ll never find her again.”
Norris chuckled. “She doesn’t need to know about the kid. A few days ago, I told her the company’s in trouble and that we needed to fake a divorce. Once she gets used to the idea, I’ll tell her the truth. She’ll understand. Besides, look at her legs. Where can she even go?”
Clarissa felt like her brain had exploded.
'A fake divorce?' The words echoed in her head.
She had believed him, believed the crisis was real. She even gave him the last of her dowry savings to help him through it.
But it was all a lie.
A choked sob rose in her throat, and her chest tightened as if pierced by needles.
She had been planning a future with him, thinking about surprising him on their anniversary.
But he had already erased her from his plans. Guilt was all it took to sum up her ten-year crush and five-year marriage.
She thought she had finally won his heart. Turned out, she was just a placeholder in his love story with someone else.
Looking down at her lifeless legs and remembering the pain she endured to save him, she realized how foolish she’d been.
Instantly, grief turned into rage.
Clarissa suddenly started pounding her legs with her fists, tears splashing onto her thighs, hot and unstoppable.
Suddenly, the voices on the balcony fell silent.
Clarissa froze. She hadn’t meant for them to hear. Panicking, she turned the wheelchair and headed for the front door.
A moment later, Norris came over. His expression flickered with surprise, and his voice dripped with false concern.
“Clarissa, when did you get back? You should’ve called, I’d have come to get you. What did the doctor say?”
She looked at his eyes full of love, but then her eyes welled up again.
Alarmed, Norris reached out, trying to wipe away her tears. “What’s wrong? It’s okay. If you don’t get better, I’ll take care of you forever.”
Clarissa stared into his eyes again, trying to find even a shred of real affection in his eyes. But in the end, she couldn’t bear to know and looked away.
Sniffling softly, she casually asked, “Norris, I’ve been thinking… I’d really like to have a child with you. It’s a good thing we froze some sperm back then. Do you think you can come with me to the hospital sometime soon?”
Upon hearing that, his face changed instantly. He avoided eye contact and mumbled something, clearly trying to change the subject.
“Why bring that up all of a sudden? I don’t want you to suffer through pregnancy. I’d feel awful. Besides, didn’t we agree to travel the world together? Hard to do that with a baby.”
Seeing how uncomfortable he looked, Clarissa closed her eyes. She had her answer.
She slumped slightly in her chair and said, “I’m tired. Can you carry me to the bedroom?”
He nodded and helped her inside. Once he was gone, Clarissa reached for her phone.
“Auntie,” she said quietly, “I’ve made up my mind. I want to go to the Netherlands with you.”
Her aunt's excited voice came through the speaker, but the joy didn’t last long.
“This time… how long are you planning to stay? Don’t tell me you’ll come running back after two days because you miss your husband again.”
Clarissa’s heart clenched. She whispered, “Permanently.”
There was a pause on the other end. Then her aunt’s voice came back, warm and full of resolve. “Okay, then. I’ll start the immigration paperwork.”
After hanging up, Clarissa made another call. But at that time, to her lawyer.
She was done waiting.
Her love couldn’t warm a heart that never opened to her. If Norris wanted a real divorce, then she’d give him exactly what he wanted.
She would turn this fake divorce into a real one and make his lies come true.
End of memories.
Once Clarissa made up her mind to leave Norris for good, she didn’t waste any time. Ahe met with a lawyer to sort through their shared assets and financials.
By the time she was ready to head home, a sudden downpour had started. However, she hadn’t brought a driver today and had just hailed a cab to the quiet little coffee shop where she met her lawyer. Now, with the heavy rain coming down in sheets and barely a car in sight, Clarissa found herself stuck.
She’d wait under the awning for the rain to pass and kindly refused her offer to help.
Hours passed, but the rain didn’t let up. It only grew heavier as the sky turned from gray to pitch-black. As such, her legs, still recovering, began to ache. With no other option, she finally pulled out her phone and called him.
“Norris,” she said softly, “can you come pick me up?”
The urgency in his voice was immediate. He barely got out a few words before hanging up, promising he was on his way.
That call sparked a small warmth in her chest.
Maybe he still cared. Maybe not everything between them was a lie. Could she give him one last chance?
But just as he turned the corner from his street, Norris’s phone buzzed with a message that froze him in place.
[Gabrielle: Norris, I’m back.]
His heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he pulled over, sent a quick message to his driver, and spun the car around. The tires screeched as he sped off, heading straight for the airport.
Back in the rain, Clarissa sat in her wheelchair, rehearsing in her mind what she would say to him. She’d tell him about her fears, her confusion, the aching need to believe they could still make this work.
But night fell, the storm quieted to a drizzle, and rain pooled around the base of her wheels, yet Norris never came.
Her heart sank deeper and deeper, until it felt like it had hit rock bottom.
She called him again, but there was no answer. Still, she tried again, and finally, someone picked up. But it wasn’t him.
A woman’s voice, soft, almost pleading, echoed from the other end.
“Norris, do you really not love me anymore?”
After a brief silence came Norris’s voice, low and tight with emotion.
“Gabrielle... I’m married now.”
The woman didn’t back down and asked, “But you still came for me, didn’t you? Then tell me, why would you leave your wife, who’s only five kilometers away, just to drive thirty kilometers to pick me up?”
Clarissa’s whole body went still.
She opened her mouth, tried to speak, but no sound came. Her throat burned, words trapped behind pain.
At that moment, panic set in. She wanted to hang up, to stop hearing this, but her trembling hand accidentally hit the speaker button instead.
Norris’s voice rang out clearly as he replied, “Yes. I can’t forget you. Are you happy now?”
Clarissa’s breath caught, stunned. And then, the unmistakable sound of lips meeting rang out from the other end.
In a hurry, her hand fumbled as she ended the call, but in the chaos, the phone slipped and landed in the water. She reached for it without thinking and forgot all about her damaged legs.
She fell hard onto the pavement, right into the cold rain.
For a moment, she lay there, frozen. The storm kept beating down on her, soaking her completely. And then, something inside her broke.
She buried her face in her arms and sobbed.
Fifteen years, she had loved a man who only had eyes for someone else.
Five years of marriage, only to find out it had all been built on guilt and that she had merely been a placeholder.
"Why? Why..." she whispered over and over, her voice cracking through the rain like a broken song.
Her tears blended with the rain, her pain heavier than the cold that seeped into her bones. And eventually, darkness took her.
When Clarissa finally woke up, she was in a hospital bed.
She blinked slowly, disoriented. A glance at the clock told her it was already noon the next day.
Her phone, which someone had carefully dried out overnight, sat on the bedside table, fully functional, but still silent. No messages. Not a single word from him.
She sat up, just about to call for the discharge paperwork, when the door opened.
She turned her head, a flicker of hope sparking in her eyes, only to see the driver walk in.
The light in her eyes faded instantly.
“Mrs. Daniel,” he greeted awkwardly. “Mr. Daniel’s car got stuck last night, so he asked me to pick you up. How are you feeling?”
Clarissa forced a smile and nodded. The excuse was pathetic, but she didn’t want to make things harder for the driver. So, she simply said, “I’m alright. Let’s go home.”
As such, he quickly took care of the discharge and brought her back.
When they reached the front door, she sat outside for a long time, trying to pull herself together. Only after smoothing out her expression and faking a smile did she open the door.
But the moment she pushed it open, she heard a voice inside.
“Norris, look how much Matthew looks like you.”
Chapter 2
Third Person's POV
Clarissa’s hands froze on the wheels of her chair, stuck in the entryway, unable to go any further.
But Norris’s voice still reached her ears.
“Gabrielle,” he said firmly, “I don’t want to hear you say things like that again, especially not when Clarissa is around.”
Gabrielle’s smile stiffened for a moment. She brushed her hair behind her ear and murmured, “Alright.But one day you will tell her the truth that your divorce is not a fake one but a real one.”
Clarissa stood frozen by the door. Her heart thudded in her chest as she turned to leave, desperate to get out, but in her panic, she bumped hard into the shoe cabinet.
Silence filled the room, and then came hurried footsteps.
Moments later, Norris appeared in front of her, holding a child in his arms.
Clarissa looked up and, unexpectedly, found herself agreeing with what Gabrielle had said earlier. The child really did look like him.
When Norris saw the redness in her eyes, his heart skipped a beat. He quickly set the child down and knelt in front of her, taking her hand in his.
“Clarissa, what happened? My car broke down last night, so I asked the driver to pick you up. Where did you go? Why did he take so long getting you home? If he can’t even do his job right, I’ll just find someone else.”
His concern sounded caring, but every word pierced her like a thorn. She gave a bitter laugh. He hadn’t even bothered to coordinate his lies with the driver.
She had thought she'd grown numb to all of this, that she wouldn’t feel the pain anymore.
But her heart still ached.
Turning away, she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and forced a smile. “It’s nothing worth fussing over. I was with a friend.”
Norris visibly relaxed. “As long as you were with someone you trust. When did you get home? I didn’t hear a thing.”
And just like that, Clarissa understood.
All that faux concern was just a setup for this question.
He wanted to know if she’d overheard anything she wasn’t supposed to.
The warmth inside her turned cold. She pulled her hand back and replied calmly, “I just got in. I didn’t hear a thing.”
Norris’s smile faltered, and his hand hung awkwardly in the air. Even so, he didn’t press the issue.
Clarissa looked past him and noticed the woman still standing behind.
Norris quickly stood and explained, “Clarissa, Gabrielle just got back here and doesn’t have a place to stay. Coincidentally, she’s also become my mom’s new doctor, so I let her stay here for now. Don’t get it wrong.”
The way he tried to defend Gabrielle was so natural and instinctive, extinguishing the last flicker of hope in Clarissa’s chest.
She looked away and clenched her fists, trying to maintain a shred of dignity. “I understand. I’m tired. I’d like to rest now.”
Norris was caught off guard by her composure. A strange feeling tugged at him, but he didn’t dwell on it. Assuming she just needed sleep, he moved to wheel her into the master bedroom.
But she stopped him, saying, “I want to go to my own room.”
In that instant, he froze.
Clarissa didn’t understand why he’d suddenly halted until Gabrielle stepped forward, child in tow, and pointed toward a door.
“You mean that room?” she asked, her tone light, but her words sharp. “That used to be my room when I lived here. I’m used to it, so Norris said I could have it again.”
She called him with such familiarity that it made Clarissa’s stomach turn. More than that, she heard the deliberate challenge in Gabrielle’s voice.
Clarissa turned her head slowly, searching Norris’s expression, hoping for a word of support.
But he offered none.
“It’s just a room,” he said with a shrug. “If Gabrielle wants it, then let's just let her be. I’ll just get the guest room cleaned up for you.”
Clarissa shut her eyes for a moment, fighting back the tide of hurt swelling in her chest.
That room was the one he had carefully decorated for her right after they married. He’d given it to her because he knew her parents had died young, and she had no family to go back to.
He told her that the room would be her sanctuary. If she was ever angry with him and didn’t want to talk, she could go there, and he’d know to come make things right.
But now, he’d given it away like it meant nothing.
Like it was just a room.
Clarissa pressed her hand to her chest, trying to ease the tight, suffocating ache.
Then, firmly insisted, “No. I want that room.”
Third Person's POV
As soon as the words left her mouth, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Norris’s brows furrowed. He couldn’t understand why Clarissa was making such a fuss over a room. Before he could say anything, Matthew came running over.
He charged straight at Clarissa, waving his arms and hitting her legs and face with tiny but surprisingly sharp blows.
“You’re a bad person! A bad lady! Don’t bully my mom! That’s my mom’s room!”
Though small, the boy’s strikes had force behind them. Clarissa’s legs throbbed from the impact. Just as she reached out to push him away, he yanked her hair instead. Pain shot through her scalp, and she instinctively grabbed his wrist to stop him.
But before she could say a word, Matthew screamed.
“Mommy! My hand hurts! She’s hurting me! She’s bullying me! Waaah!”
His wails echoed through the massive villa.
Clarissa winced as her scalp throbbed, tears springing to her eyes from the sting. Her first instinct was to look at Norris. But he wasn’t looking at her, his worried gaze was fixed on Matthew.
She followed his line of sight, and her heart dropped. Matthew’s wrist was bleeding.
Shocked, she sat frozen as Gabrielle scooped the child into her arms, tears streaming down her face as she cradled him.
Clarissa’s mind was still blank when Norris’s voice exploded in fury.
“Clarissa! Matthew is just a kid. What are you doing, picking a fight with him? I already told you Gabrielle is just staying here temporarily. Do you really have to keep holding on to the past? It's just a room. Do you have to be so petty and pick a fight with her over it?”
His blatant favoritism hit Clarissa like a slap to the face, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“Norris—” she began, her voice low.
But he cut her off sharply. “Enough! This is still my house, and it’s not your place to decide who stays where. I gave her that room. Even if you're upset, why did you take it out on a child? I’m really disappointed in you. Think about your actions.”
With that, he stormed out the door, carrying Matthew in his arms like a devoted father. Gabrielle followed close behind.
As she passed Clarissa, Gabrielle threw her a quick smile—small, smug, and unmistakably triumphant.
Only then did she understand everything.
With the red marks from Matthew’s hits still fresh on her face, she watched the three of them together like one happy family. At that moment, she realized she was the outsider.
The tears came uncontrollably then. Her breathing grew ragged, and her chest ached like she couldn’t pull in enough air. She had no idea how long she had cried. At some point, she must have cried herself to sleep.
She was just jolted awake by the ringing of her phone.
She picked it up and heard her aunt’s familiar, gentle voice on the other end.
“Clarissa, the immigration paperwork will be finalized within a week. Are you serious this time? You’re not backing out again, are you? It’s been so long. I miss you.”
Clarissa gave a bitter smile. “I’m serious. I might be bothering you for the rest of my life.”
There was a short pause before her aunt spoke again.
“What about Norris? Are you two… divorced?”
Clarissa let out a quiet, “Mm.Divorced, it's a real divorce." Clarissa repeated painfully, remembering what Norris said.
Her aunt’s heart ached for her, but she knew comforting words wouldn’t help. So instead, she offered warmth.
“Then start packing. I’ll come to pick you up in a week. Don’t worry about bringing anything. We’ve got everything you need here in the Netherlands.”
“Daryll is still worried about you. He is the Daryll who pursued you when they were little.”
Aunt bit of kindness finally eased the weight in Clarissa’s chest.
After they hung up, she looked around the house. There really wasn’t anything she needed to take with her.
If Gabrielle wanted the room so badly, let her have it.
She could have Norris, too.
That night, Clarissa picked a clean guest room at random, curled up on the bed, and quickly drifted off.
She didn’t know how long she’d slept before a sharp sound of glass shattering startled her awake.
She shot upright and followed the noise, which had come from the master bedroom.
Confused, she wondered what kind of glass item would even be in there. But as she got closer to the door, a sudden chill ran through her. Her instincts screamed that something wasn’t right.
She rushed to the door, pushed it open, and her eyes went wide.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
Chapter 3
Third Person's POV
Glass shards covered the floor. The once-beautiful wedding photo that used to hang on the wall was now shattered and torn beyond repair.
Matthew was stomping on her face in the picture, laughing as he did, spewing crude words that no child his age should even know.
Across the room, Gabrielle turned her head with a smirk, clearly enjoying the scene. Her eyes locked on Clarissa with a mocking glint. She didn’t see her as a threat, barely even as a person.
Then she turned to her son and gave him instructions like she was coaching a performance.
"Matthew, do you want Daddy or not? If you do, then do exactly what Mommy just told you."
The boy nodded like an obedient little soldier. Then, without a second of hesitation, he picked up a lighter and flicked it on, holding it to a diary clutched in his other hand.
Clarissa's heart seized.
“No! Don’t. Don’t do that!” she shouted, panic surging through her chest.
Frantically, she pushed her wheelchair forward, chasing him down the room. But Matthew thought it was a game. He ran in circles, always just out of reach, laughing like this was all some kind of sick fun.
By the time she finally caught up, the damage was done. The diary had burned to nothing—just a pile of gray ash.
Clarissa’s hands trembled as she picked up the one tiny, half-burnt corner left. Her shoulders shook with sobs she could no longer hold back.
That diary had been the only thing her parents left her. It documented their short lives, their hopes, and their love. It was her only connection to them. For years, in the lonely silence of her life, she'd read it to feel less alone.
When she married Norris, she had brought it with her to this house. She wanted to lock it away, but he told her not to worry.
"As long as I’m here, no one would dare touch it," he had said.
But he didn’t keep his word.
Now, not only had someone touched it—they’d destroyed it. And he’d let them walk in and do it.
Clarissa clutched the tiny scrap of paper tightly in her palm. Her voice was raw with fury and heartbreak as she shouted, “Gabrielle! Is this how you raise your son? Teaching him to destroy things that don’t belong to him? Did you ever teach him what basic respect even means?”
For a moment, Gabrielle looked taken aback. Her eyes reddened, and tears welled up.
“Matthew never had a father growing up. I raised him alone. Blame me if you want, but he’s still just a child. You don’t have to be so harsh. I’m sorry, okay? I’ll apologize.”
Clarissa frowned, unsure how to respond, but then she felt a heavy gaze.
She turned and saw Norris standing at the doorway, his expression dark. He strode toward them, face set in a deep scowl.
“Clarissa,” he said, “he’s a child. Why do you keep picking fights with him? Gabrielle even agreed to give you the room back. Isn’t that enough? Do you really have to drive them out to feel satisfied?”
His voice was sharp, edged with frustration.
Clarissa’s heart clenched. She held up the charred piece of the diary with shaking hands, her voice breaking as she tried to explain, “Norris, do you even know what he—”
Before she could finish, he slapped the burnt scrap from her hand.
“It’s just a notebook, Clarissa!” he snapped. “What boy his age isn’t a little wild? Must you make such a big deal out of it? If you want, I’ll buy you a hundred more, a thousand! Will that finally be enough for you?”
She stared at the paper fragment as it fluttered to the ground, only to be stepped on by Gabrielle’s heel.
That was it. Something in her finally gave way.
A hollow laugh escaped her lips, bitter and worn out. She let her body fall back in the wheelchair like all the fight had drained from her.
“Fine,” she said quietly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
For a second, Norris’s expression shifted. Her defeated tone hit him in a place he didn’t expect, and it stung. Seeing despair in her lifeless eyes, he opened his mouth, maybe to apologize, but before he could speak, Matthew cut in.
“Uncle Norris, can I play with this?” the boy asked, holding up a small gift box in his hands.
Norris glanced over, assuming it was just some empty box lying around.
“Sure,” he said. “Go ahead.”
But Clarissa knew exactly what was inside. Her eyes widened in panic, and she quickly shouted, “No! You can’t touch that!”
Third Person's POV
Just when a trace of guilt had begun to creep into Norris’s heart, Clarissa’s voice made him frown again.
“It’s just an old box. Do you have to be so petty, Clarissa? Or is it that you just can’t stand anything he does?”
Clarissa froze. His words hit her like a slap. She stared at him, disbelief washing over her. It hit her then. He truly didn’t remember what was in that box.
Her hand, which had reached out instinctively, lingered midair. She hesitated for a long moment, thinking maybe she should remind him about the ring.
But before she could say anything, Matthew cut in.
“Uncle Norris, I really want this box. Can I throw out what’s inside?”
Already irritated by Clarissa, Norris didn’t even think twice. He just wanted to shut this whole scene down.
“Sure. Toss it if you want.”
Clarissa’s heart sank when she saw Matthew pull out the ring. Her chest tightened, and she instinctively tried to reach for it.
But Matthew was already walking toward the fireplace, just about to toss it in, when he paused. He looked back at his mother.
“Mom, this ring’s kind of pretty. Are you sure we should throw it away?”
Gabrielle’s face stiffened. She didn’t dare look at Norris. Instead, she blinked rapidly, silently urging her son to go through with it.
Norris’s expression shifted slightly when he heard the word “ring.” He turned to look, only to see it fall into the fire.
In a flash, the flames swallowed it.
His gaze snapped to Clarissa. He opened his mouth several times, trying to speak, but the look in her eyes left him hollow. Words stuck in his throat.
Clarissa didn’t look at him. Without a word, she wheeled herself to the fireplace and reached in, trying to retrieve the ring.
The fire had only just started and wasn’t roaring yet, but it was still hot enough to make her flinch and hiss from the pain.
Norris’s heart twisted at the sight. He instinctively stepped forward, ready to pull her back, but Gabrielle got there first.
She hurried over with her son in her arms, gave him a few heavy pats, then turned teary eyes on Clarissa.
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I didn’t teach him better. Please, let me apologize on his behalf. Just tell me how much the ring costs. I’ll save up and buy you a new one.”
Clarissa stared at her blankly, the expression on Gabrielle’s face utterly fake to her.
Not getting a response, Gabrielle glanced at Norris from the corner of her eye and saw his attention still fixed on Clarissa. Her gaze hardened. Then, with a thud, she dropped to her knees.
“It’s all my fault. Please, Clarissa, forgive me. If you’re still mad, then hit me. Go ahead!”
She grabbed Clarissa’s hand and slapped it against her own face. Clarissa tried to pull back, but Gabrielle wouldn’t let go.
A loud smack echoed through the room. Gabrielle’s cheek reddened immediately.
Not satisfied, she let go of Clarissa’s hand and began slapping herself, over and over, crying and apologizing between each blow.
Clarissa frowned at the absurd scene. She opened her mouth to tell her to stop the act, but before she could speak, Norris shoved her away.
Her wheelchair wasn’t locked, so the sudden force sent her sliding backward. The chair slammed into the desk behind her, and she tumbled out, landing hard on the floor.
Norris hadn’t meant to push her that hard. His eyes widened in shock, and he started toward her, but Gabrielle caught his arm first.
He turned to see her swollen, tear-streaked face. Something in him froze. Without saying anything, he pulled her into his arms protectively.
Then he looked down at Clarissa coldly.
“Clarissa, Gabrielle already apologized. Why won’t you let it go? It’s just a ring. Did you really have to humiliate her by trying to fish it out of the fire?”
Clarissa lay awkwardly on the floor, her burned hand pressed against the wooden floorboards. Pain shot through her, leaving her speechless.
Her legs were numb, making it useless. Still, she tried to lift herself multiple times, only to collapse again and again. The helplessness brought tears to her eyes.
Norris hesitated, guilt flickering in his eyes. He took a step forward to help, but Matthew quickly grabbed his hand.
“Uncle Norris, it’s my fault. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make her mad.”
His small hand tugged gently, and that was all it took for Norris’s heart to soften. He steeled himself once again against Clarissa.
“If you love making life difficult for others so much,” he said coldly, “then you can pick yourself up off the floor. Let’s see how long you can keep playing the victim.”
Clarissa stared at him as he stepped right on their torn wedding photo, grinding it under his shoe.
It felt like he was stepping on her heart, crushing what little hope she had left.
In that moment, something inside her broke.
She didn’t want to love him anymore.
Not even a little.
Chapter 4
Third Person's POV
Clarissa lay on the floor for what felt like forever before finally managing to crawl back into her wheelchair.
The bedroom, once warm and comforting, was now a complete mess. But Norris didn’t seem to see any of it. All he remembered was her being "dramatic."
Clarissa let out a soft laugh, more bitter than amused, like she was mocking herself.
A moment later, she pulled out her phone and dialed her lawyer.
“How much longer will it take?”
Attorney Turner sounded surprised,. “I was just about to call you!
The process is almost done,the marriage relationship will be dissolved tomorrow.”
Clarissa found herself subconsciously picking at her palm. So, five years of marriage end in less than five days.
She swallowed the last trace of hesitation and told him to bring it over tonight.
But before she even had time to read the papers, Norris unexpectedly called her away to attend a family dinner.
Clarissa rarely joined the Daniel family gatherings. She knew they didn’t like her, and honestly, the feeling was mutual. So she had no idea why Norris insisted she come this time.
It wasn’t until they got in the car that everything made sense.
“Clarissa,” Gabrielle said sweetly from the backseat, “Matthew’s such a restless little guy. I’ll hold him here, hope you don’t mind?”
The backseat used to have a special seat just for Clarissa. Now, Gabrielle was sitting there, comfortably settled beside Norris.
Even so, Clarissa didn’t even glance at him. After a beat of silence, she replied calmly, “Not at all. Go ahead.”
Norris was caught off guard by how indifferent she sounded. She didn’t argue or complain, which was a surprise. He even got out of the car to help her in, like he used to.
But Clarissa, though still in pain from the burns, pushed herself up into the front passenger seat on her own. When he moved to fold her wheelchair, she subtly pulled it away and quickly did it herself without saying a word.
His hand froze in midair, which was denied again, and a strange emptiness crept in, but was quickly replaced by irritation. After stiffening momentarily, he got into the car.
The drive was quiet in the front as Clarissa kept her mouth shut, contradicting the backseat, which was buzzing with laughter and cheerful small talk, like one happy little family.
It didn’t take long for Clarissa to realize the truth that it was Gabrielle’s idea to bring her along tonight.
Apparently, it was “to help them bond.” But Norris knew perfectly well that his family had never accepted her.
Still, just because Gabrielle asked, he went along with it without a second thought.
Clarissa glanced at the rearview mirror and caught the soft expression in Norris’s eyes as he looked at Gabrielle.
'So that’s what it looks like when he loves someone. Not the forced gentleness he gave me before. It's all real, effortless, and natural,' Clarissa thought.
She stared too long until her face felt wet.
Startled, she snapped out of it and realized her tears had already soaked her cheeks.
Quickly, she turned toward the window and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep as the wind dried her tears.
As always, the Daniel family gathering was crowded. Some people she saw often, others she barely recognized. No matter their usual schedules, everyone made it to these dinners.
There were five large tables filled, but Clarissa only knew a few of the faces.
She had planned to quietly endure the night, play the part of the invisible wife, and get through it.
But Gabrielle had other plans.
“I’ve been living overseas all these years, and only just found out that Norris got married,” she said sweetly, raising her glass. “Let’s all toast to Clarissa for taking care of him these past five years.”
Gabrielle had grown up with Norris, so most people at the table were closer to her than they ever were to Clarissa.
As such, even if they didn’t like Clarissa, they still politely raised their glasses at Gabrielle’s suggestion.
Clarissa sat stiffly, like she was going into battle. Her smile was forced, her fingers trembling slightly as she raised her glass and drank.
She had always been a lightweight. One drink and her face had already gone pale. But Gabrielle wasn’t done.
“Oh, that won’t do,” she chirped, looking around. “So many people toasted you, Clarissa. You can’t just stop after one drink, can you? What do you think, Norris?”
Norris looked at Clarissa’s cold, emotionless face and frowned.
“You only come around once in a while, and you’re already pulling a long face?” he said. “If you hate my family so much, why’d you marry me in the first place?”
Clarissa froze as a memory flashed in her mind. He was the one who had proposed.
But what was the point in bringing that up now?
She laughed quietly. It didn’t matter anymore. They were getting divorced anyway.
She was about to excuse herself and leave when Gabrielle suddenly stood up and grabbed her wheelchair.
“Clarissa’s not very mobile, so I’ll help her. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she toasts everyone,” she said with a sugary smile. “Right, Clarissa?”
Third Person's POV
Clarissa opened her mouth to refuse, but Norris didn’t give her the chance.
“Clarissa,” he said coldly, “you can either do this the easy way or the hard way.”
The words she’d been holding in her throat died instantly. With all the judgmental stares from his family aimed right at her, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
With that, Gabrielle pushed her from table to table and made her toast every single person, from elders to cousins, and even the children.
Every time she managed to swallow a drink, another glass was shoved into her hand. Her stomach burned, and her bladder was close to bursting. She tried several times to tell Gabrielle, in a hushed voice, that she needed to use the restroom. But whether by accident or on purpose, Gabrielle ignored her every time.
Finally, after making the full round, Clarissa was wheeled back beside Norris. Her head spun.
She hadn’t even sat for a second before she tried to maneuver her chair toward the bathroom, but the wheels wouldn’t budge. The wheelchair had been locked in place.
She glanced toward Gabrielle, now cheerfully chatting and toasting across the room, and her eyes darkened.
Clarissa took a deep breath and tapped Norris on the shoulder. He turned with a questioning look, but before she could get a word out, Gabrielle was back again, raising her glass.
“Norris,” she said sweetly, “I hardly recognize anyone anymore. Come with me, help me say hello.”
Right after saying that, Gabrielle immediately pulled him away with her. At that time, half the guests had already drifted off to catch up elsewhere.
And just like that, anyone who passed by Clarissa was subtly pulled away by Gabrielle with one excuse or another. Clarissa understood exactly what was happening. But there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.
The alcohol was catching up with her. Her stomach churned, and her head pounded. She leaned back in the chair, trying to stay composed. She didn’t even realize she’d lost control.
Until a shrill voice rang out.
“Ew! What’s that smell? Yuck! That bad auntie peed herself! Gross!”
It was Matthew. He shrieked that out loud enough for everyone to hear.
Clarissa snapped to attention, eyes wide. She looked down and felt the wetness beneath her.
Whispers and laughter buzzed around her. People gathered, trying to hide their disgust, but failing miserably.
Her whole body went stiff. She buried her head, her hands clenched tight, and her eyelashes trembling. The kids’ laughter stabbed at her ears.
She gripped the armrests and tried desperately to wheel herself away, but the wheelchair wouldn’t move. Panic crawled up her spine as more eyes zeroed in on her like spotlights.
She braced her hands against the armrests and tried to stand, but the moment her lifeless legs touched the floor, she crumpled like a rag doll.
Fortunately, someone caught her before she hit the ground.
Clarissa didn’t care who it was. She clung to that person like she was drowning, her voice cracking with desperation as she begged, “Take me away... Please... just get me out of here.”
Without a word, the man lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the event hall. He brought her to the staff break room and quietly left her there.
He’d left behind clean clothes for her, folded neatly on her lap.
Changed into new clothes, Clarissa broke down, her shoulders trembling as the tears finally came. Her quiet sobs echoed in the small room.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Norris stormed in, face twisted in fury.
“Clarissa!” he roared. “I didn’t realize you already had a new man! Who was he, huh? Tell me! We’re still married, and you’re already cheating on me?! What kind of woman are you?!”
The rage in his voice stunned her into silence.
She looked up at him, disbelief written all over her face.
She had just been humiliated in front of his entire family, and a kind waiter had helped her before she completely fell apart, and this was what Norris assumed?
How could he think that of her? He knew what she'd been through over the past fifteen years. How could he say that?
Her heart went numb. The calm mask she always wore cracked, revealing raw pain and fury underneath.
“Norris,” she said through gritted teeth, “you didn’t even ask me what happened. You just assumed I cheated. Do you even know what Gabrielle—”
Before she could finish, he slammed his hand down beside her, face twisted with anger.
“You’re still blaming Gabrielle? What, did she force you to sneak off with some man at the party behind my back?”
Clarissa stared at him, barely recognizing the man she’d loved for fifteen years.
She clutched the clothes in her lap, shut her eyes, and let out a bitter laugh.
“Fine. You’re right. I found someone else. Let’s just get this over with.We are divorced.”
Norris’s eyes flared. He clenched his fists, the veins in his arms popping.
“You said it. Don’t come crying to me later.”
Clarissa took a deep breath to push down the lump in her throat. She reached into the bag she’d never taken off her shoulder and pulled out the divorce papers.
“No, I won’t regret it,” she said quietly. “Now, sign it.”
Norris stared at the papers in her hand. For a brief second, panic flickered in his chest.
But then he convinced himself it was a bluff, that she just wanted attention, It's just a fake divorce,and this was some scheme to compete with Gabrielle.
He snatched the papers, skimmed them, then scoffed.
The words "property agreement" stared back at him, fueling his rage. He didn’t even bother checking what she was asking for. He just wanted to prove he didn’t care.
He signed without hesitation and flung the document at her before storming to the door.
“See you at the county clerk's office tomorrow.”
Clarissa didn’t answer, and he took her silence as agreement.
But only she knew that there would be no tomorrow.
She wasn’t going home. She’d already packed a bag. Her aunt was taking her straight to the airport tonight.
The divorce certificate didn’t matter anymore.
On the ride to the airport, she blocked every way Norris could ever contact her again.
And she scheduled one final message to be delivered later.
[Norris, if my love ever made you feel guilty, then I take it back. Thank God the child was yours and Gabrielle’s, not mine. As you wished, we really got divorced. Thank you.Otherwise, I might never have had the strength to leave. Thank you for the fifteen years you gave me. I hope I find happiness. Let’s never see each other again.]
