Chapter 21
“Adri!”
Corbin tugged at his tie impatiently. “I grew up alongside
Ambrose, which means I watched Clarinda grow up, too. To me,
she’s like a sister. If I had feelings for her, what would that make
me? Can’t you be rational for once?”
“Then when are you divorcing her?” Adrienne pressed.
Divorce.
It was the word Corbin had heard more than any other lately.
Everyone seemed to think it was what he should do.
But only he knew how that word lodged in his chest, making it
hard to breathe.
He couldn’t explain why. Maybe because a divorce now would
shake the company’s stock, maybe because it would tarnish
Adrienne’s name.
way, he knew with absolute certainty he could not
Either way,
divorce.
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The words left his lips without hesitation, firm and final.
“Never. Not now, not ever.”
***
The next morning.
Half–asleep, Clarinda finally saw Corbin’s reply.
“What is it? I’ll come home tomorrow, we’ll talk.”
She knew he didn’t want her storming into Adrienne’s presence
again.
He was probably afraid she’d throw another bottle at her.
Still, his answer was enough for her.
Once he came back and they cleared the air, she could walk
away from this house that no longer gave her peace.
She washed up, dressed with a light heart. Just before leaving
the dressing room, she paused, thoughtful.
Corbin wasn’t exactly a doting husband, but whenever he
needed a companion at social events, he brought his wife.
At times, there were occasions when Clarinda had to attend by
his side.
So, the walk–in closet was overflowing with designer clothes,
jewelry, and handbags.
The Alden family had no shortage of money, but once she
divorced, all of this would meet its final destination: the trash.
Better to put it to good use…
Clarinda contacted a charity and donated everything, leaving
the organization to handle the clothes and use the proceeds to
fund girls‘ education in impoverished areas.
Once everything was packed and Sarah agreed to ship it out,
Clarinda finally went downstairs for breakfast.
In the living room, she spotted Matilda sitting stiffly in a Chanel
suit, her expression cold but composed.
Clarinda blinked in surprise and instinctively asked, “Matilda,
what brings you here?”
Matilda beckoned. “Come here.”
Clarinda’s gaze dropped to the unwrapped gift box on the coffee
table, her lashes trembling.
She didn’t know if Corbin had seen the divorce papers yet.
But clearly, the family elders had.
Chapter 21
She walked over, inhaling deeply to steady herself. “You’ve seen
it?”
“You want a divorce…”
Matilda wasn’t the domineering sort of mother–in–law. Her tone
softened as she tugged Clarinda to sit. “Why didn’t you tell me
or Stacey first?”
Clarinda poured her a fresh cup of coffee, keeping her head
bowed, her manner respectful. “Stacey was just admitted to the
hospital. I didn’t want to upset her again.”
“And divorcing in secret won’t upset her?”
Matilda’s voice grew firm, though she sighed afterward. “I know
you’ve always been thoughtful. If you want a divorce, you must
have your reasons. But have you truly thought it through?
Have you and Corbin really reached a point where divorce is
the only way forward?”
“Matilda…”
Clarinda lowered her gaze to the marble floor, her long lashes
casting shadows over her eyes. After a long silence, her lips
parted. “I’ve been married to Corbin for three years, and we’ve
never once shared a bed.”
Chapter 21
Never sharing a bed.
Matilda was a married woman. Of course she knew exactly
what that meant.
Matilda’s pupils trembled as she asked in disbelief, “You’re not
joking with me, are you?”
“How could I ever joke about something like this with you?”
Clarinda lifted her eyes, her face dim and tired, though her tone
remained gentle. “Matilda, aside from divorce, I truly can’t think
of any other way!”
Matilda was furious, but not at Clarinda.
Her anger was aimed at her own son and Adrienne.
One careless, the other greedy for more.
Even as a strong–willed woman, Matilda couldn’t bring herself
to tell Clarinda not to divorce.
How could she?
Her son had wasted three years of another woman’s life for
nothing.
Clarinda had carried the title, yet had never once experienced
Chapter 21
married life.
Matilda drew in a deep breath to calm herself, then patted
Clarinda’s hand. “I see the agreement says you only want the
Brenwick Road house?”
“Yes,””
Clarinda pressed her lips together lightly. “If that’s too much, I
can give it up…”
She knew well that her only purpose today was the divorce.
With the four million from before, plus her own savings, she
had more than enough to live comfortably.
To outsiders, she had wasted three years enduring her
husband’s affairs, only to walk away with nothing. It was the
joke of the entire upper circle.
But she knew better that it was worth it.
These three years had given her freedom, far more than she
ever had in the Langdon family.
Just in terms of being spared countless beatings and
punishments, she could never regret it.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
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Chapter 21
Matilda looked at her. “If word gets out, people will think the
Aldens mistreat their daughter–in–law. So here’s what we’ll do.
Keep the Brenwick Road house, and I’ll give another one to you
under my name. Also on Brenwick Road.”
“One for you to live in, one you can rent out for daily expenses.”
At that, Clarinda was a bit stunned.
The Brenwick Road apartments were expensive. Renting one
out alone brought in four figures a month, not to mention the
selling price.
Over the years, the Aldens had treated her decently, but it
would be a lie to say there was deep affection. By logic, they
wouldn’t give her a second property for no reason.
)
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.
