Chapter 5
His back stiffened slightly, and he lowered his gaze. “I’ve never
touched her.”
He had failed Clarinda.
“I’ve never touched her.”
That was what Clarinda heard when she braced one hand on
the small of her back while walking downstairs, the gift box in
her other hand.
There wasn’t even the slightest hint of hesitation in Corbin’s
tone.
Her lips curved into a self–mocking smile as she walked toward
them. “Corby, the Langdon family’s monthly dinner is
tomorrow. Madam Langdon asked me to see if you’re available.”
Rowena Norton, Ambrose’s grandmother, had been an old
friend of Clarinda’s parents.
After they passed away in an accident, Rowena had taken
Clarinda in and cared for her.
In the eyes of the world, Clarinda was part of the Langdon
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family.
Since she had married into the Alden family, the Langdon
family and the Alden family had enjoyed frequent business
dealings.
Perhaps because Corbin felt a pang of guilt over his words, he
nodded immediately. “Sure. I’ll pick you up tomorrow, and we’ll
head over together.“”
“Alright.”
Clarinda lowered her gaze to the gift box in her hands, then
swept it over Adrienne and Leonel, who were nestled on either
side of Corbin. Wisely, she said nothing more.
She simply turned around, intending to leave.
Cecily had killed it in court today and had asked her to go
shopping to celebrate.
When she learned about Clarinda’s twisted ankle, she changed
their plans to dinner instead.
“Clara,” Corbin called out to her, for some reason he couldn’t
name.
“What’s that in your hand?”
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Clarinda turned around and shook the box gently. “A gift.”
“A gift? Is it one of your friends‘ birthdays today?”
“It’s your anniversary gift. For three years.”
“Clara… I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine. You’re always swamped with work. I get that it slipped
your mind.”
She looked into his eyes intently, her gaze as crystal–clear as
ever. Then she handed the box over, her voice soft. “Your
birthday is in half a month anyway. You can think of it as your
birthday gift instead.
“Corby, happy birthday to you in advance.”
And happy divorce to me.
Corbin took the gift box, feeling something cut through his
heart swiftly and sharply.
It didn’t exactly hurt, but it certainly made his chest tighten.
The bow on the box was tied meticulously.
Obviously, Clarinda had poured her heart into preparing this
gift.
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He was such a jerk–purely selfish and driven by shameful
motives.
Before he could speak, Clarinda had already walked to the
entryway. She put on a beige wool coat and wrapped a scarf
around herself, leaving only her crystal–clear eyes visible.
Then she left.
But there was something off about her gait.
Just as Corbin was about to ask, Adrienne, beside him, suddenly
shivered. “I’m still so cold…”
He snapped back to reality and instinctively helped her sit back
down. “Are you OK? I’ll take you to the hospital, alright?”
“No. I don’t want to.”
Pursing her lips, Adrienne glanced at the gift box in his hands
and muttered, “You’re such a liar. If you don’t have any feelings
for her, why are you holding her gift so carefully, like it’s some
precious treasure?”
Corbin fell silent for a second.
Then he frowned. “Adri, I already owed Clara a great deal.”
Adrienne’s eyes widened, tears immediately streaming down
Chapter 5
her face. “What about me? What are you thinking, Corby? Are
you just going to let her walk all over me and Leon like this?”
“I told you, Clara isn’t that kind of person,” he said, his tone
turning stern.
“Enough! Haven’t you realized it, Corbin? Every word out of
your mouth is in her defense!”
With that, Adrienne rose to her feet and dragged Leonel
upstairs, still crying pitifully.
Corbin was left stunned for a moment before he slowly let out a
weary breath.
The truth was, he didn’t know what he was thinking either.
He just knew he couldn’t stand to hear anyone say a single bad
word about Clarinda.
***
The sporadic snowfall dragged on for two days.
Clarinda spent her morning seeing patients at the clinic. In the
afternoon, a group of doctors from abroad, drawn by the
expertise of her senior, Rudolf Archer, arrived to learn his
special treatment techniques.
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Rudolf had something to do, so he entrusted her with the task at
the last minute.
By 5:00 p.m., she had finished her work. She rushed home,
changed into a dress, and applied some light makeup.
She was naturally pretty, with bright eyes and a radiant smile.
Even a little enhancement was enough to make her strikingly
attractive.
Walking downstairs, she realized things around the house had
been eerily quiet from the moment she had stepped inside.
Adrienne and Leonel had seemed particularly well–behaved.
“Clarinda.” Just as she was pulling on her long boots, Adrienne’s
voice, tinged with a smile, rang out behind her.
“Who do you think Corby will choose? You? Or me?”
Clarinda was momentarily stunned. Then she smiled,
“Adrienne, what are you talking about? I don’t follow.
“Are you suggesting you’ll try to seduce Corby, your own
brother–in–law, right under the Alden family’s roof?”
“Clarinda!”
Adrienne furiously gritted her teeth at Clarinda’s blunt words.
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Clarinda fastened her cashmere coat, a gentle smile on her lips.
“Goodbye. Corby’s waiting for me.”
Following her line of sight through the floor–to–ceiling window,
Adrienne saw Corbin’s car parked in the courtyard.
The sight made her blood boil.
She had only agreed to Corbin marrying Clarinda because she
thought Clarinda was a pushover who would take everything
lying down. But Clarinda had turned out to be a pain in the
neck, far more difficult to deal with than anticipated!
Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
