Chapter 13
She knew her place.
His voice remained detached. “I know this is unfair to you.
Consider this my apology.
“You can ask Cecily out for shopping tomorrow and buy
whatever you want.”
With that, he held out a check.
When she didn’t take it, he set it on her pillow.
Then he stood up and left.
He seemed so eager, as though staying a moment longer might
displease Adrienne.
After the door closed, Clarinda picked up the check.
Six zeros.
He gave her 3 million dollars.
What a great deal.
great
For Corbin, it was a steal–3 million dollars for a risk–free PR
Chapter 13
solution.
For her, it wasn’t bad either.
She opened social media, switched accounts, and typed.
“Enough guessing, everyone. That was me in the photo. Just
some married couple’s fun.”
Now, the 3 million dollars was truly hers.
She put the check away, turned off the light, and lay down.
But as she closed her eyes, a memory from when she was seven
surfaced out of the blue.
She was standing barefoot on that path edged with sharp
stones.
Just as Rowena was about to discipline her, a thirteen–year–old
boy dressed in black appeared and stepped firmly in front of
her.
He said to Rowena, “If you don’t like her, from now on, she’ll live
in my courtyard.”
Then he pulled her away, even scolding her for not being brave
enough to stand up for herself.
Chapter 13
To this day, she could still see his thin, straight back as he
shielded her.
In the darkness, Clarinda suddenly covered her eyes with both
hands.
Her palms grew damp with tears.
***
Clarinda’s public clarification left Adrienne complacent for
days.
Adrienne couldn’t even be bothered to target her further.
After all, Corbin had made his choice clear.
As his wife, Clarinda was expected to cover up his affair, even
with a photo of him kissing another woman staring the world
in the face.
It was obvious she meant nothing to him. But Adrienne? She
was the one he would always protect and favor.
Uninterested in whatever Adrienne was flaunting, Clarinda
stayed in her room, calmly sorting through the belongings she
would take with her.
take
She didn’t own many clothes.
Chapter 13
It was the wall lined with professional books that gave her a
headache.
Many found traditional medicine tedious, but to her, it had
never lost its fascination.
There was no way she was leaving those books behind.
She went to the storage room to find some cardboard boxes,
planning to pack the books and temporarily store them at
Cecily’s place.
Corbin never paid her much attention anyway.
He wouldn’t even notice if there was anything missing from her
room.
As she was immersed in packing, her phone suddenly rang.
The name flashing on the screen caught her eye–Clifton.
Clifton Peterson was her teacher in traditional medicine.
Four years ago, she had been accepted into Everhart Hospital,
the finest in the country.
Achieving such a feat in her early twenties spoke volumes
about her talent and dedication. Given time, she would
undoubtedly have risen to great heights.
Chapter 13
But with a single snap of Rowena’s fingers, her career was
derailed.
No one dared hire her after that.
It was Clifton who quietly reassured her, telling her everything
would be alright.
Then, behind everyone’s back, he arranged for her to work at
Rudolf’s clinic.
After Clarinda picked up, Clifton’s cheerful voice came through.
“Are you free lately, Clara?”
“Yes!! She chuckled softly.
“Are you and Juliette going on vacation? Do you need me to
look after the plants at home?”
Juliette Kemp was Clifton’s wife.
“What? You make it sound like I only call when I need a favor!””
Clifton cleared his throat, slightly awkward. “Listen, remember
that group that came to the clinic to study special treatment?
Their Traditional Medicine Research Institute is opening soon.
Could you go with Rudolf on my behalf?”
Clarinda nodded. “I remember them. They’re from overseas,
Chapter 13
right?”
“Yes. Veltrana,” Clifton smiled.
“If I recall correctly, you studied Veltranian. Perfect fit.”
“When do we leave?” she sighed helplessly.
“A week from now.””
7
Clifton paused, his tone growing hesitant. “On the 31st.”
The 31st.
It’d be Corbin’s birthday.
Every year, without fail, Clarinda would clear her schedule for
that day–decorating the house, preparing an elaborate dinner,
choosing the perfect gift.
But he had never come home.
She used to think he was simply swamped with work.
Now, looking back, all she felt was irony.
Those special occasions–his birthday, their anniversary–were
precisely the days he felt compelled to prove to Adrienne that
his heart belonged to her alone.
Chapter 13
Now that she finally understood, she might as well be sensible.
Clarinda said without hesitation, “I’ll go.”
Clifton was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied-
almost as if worried she might change her mind–not even bothering to ask why. “Great. I’ll have Rudolf book the tickets
Rudolf, ever efficient, texted Clarinda the flight details within
minutes.
They’d depart on the 31st at 10 a.m.
Later that day, Cecily made time to come collect Clarinda’s
belongings.
The professional books alone filled four large boxes, barely
fitting into Cecily’s trunk.
After closing the trunk and dusting off her hands, Cecily turned
to Clarinda. “Has Corbin signed the divorce papers?
Clarinda nodded. “Yes”
Cecily frowned and cursed under her breath, “Fuck! He really
can’t wait to be rid of you, can he?”
“It’s not that. He didn’t know it was the divorce agreement,”
Clarinda explained.
Chapter 13
“Aren’t you worried he’ll deny it later?”
Cecily reminded her, “Signing the divorce agreement is just one
step. If he refuses to cooperate with the final procedures, you’re
still legally married.”
“Then I’ll sue him.”
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.
