Chapter 22
As she considered how to respond, Matilda leaned closer, her
tone softening. “Clara, I know growing up in the Langdon family
wasn’t easy. Even with Madam Langdon doting on you, you still
suffered plenty there.”
“That’s why, when you came into our family, we made sure to
treat you well. Don’t you agree?”
“Matilda, you and Myron and Stacey have always treated me
very kindly.”
Clarinda knew this was true.
The Aldens had no reason to treat her as their own, and the fact
that they had been decent was already more than enough.
Especially Myron, he really had cared for her.
Matilda nodded, pleased. “I knew it. When it comes to sincerity,
you’re a hundred times better than Adrienne.”
“Clara..”
Matilda poured her a cup of coffee, her voice slow and
deliberate. “I have a request. It’s not easy for me to ask, but I’ve
Chapter 22
no other choice.”
Clarinda accepted the tea. “Please, go ahead.”
“I agree to your divorce with Corbin.”
“But, for now, I don’t want you to bring it up with him, alright?”
Clarinda hesitated. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll have the paperwork taken care of.”
Matilda had already made up her mind. “But for now, only you
and I will know. I’ll find someone suitable for Corbin. Once
that’s settled, then we’ll make the divorce public.”
With it spelled out like that, Clarinda could hardly miss the
meaning.
This was to keep Adrienne from slipping into the gap.
The family would immediately be dragged into a scandal after
their divorce.
The Brenwick Road house was her payoff until the new Mrs.
Alden was chosen.
But Clarinda wanted a clean break. She hated dragging things
out.
Chapter 22
She looked at Matilda, hesitant. “Matilda, I know your
intentions are kind, but…”
“Clara, this is good for both you and me.”
Matilda’s voice turned steady, a touch colder. “On the surface,
you’ll still be an Alden. The Langdons will have to show us some
respect, won’t they?”
Clarinda’s palm tightened sharply. Meeting Matilda’s eyes, she
felt a flicker of shock.
“If Madam Langdon truly cared for you, why did she ruin your
position at Everhart Hospital back then?”
Matilda pressed on, “So many times, you came back from the
Langdon’s mansion barely able to walk straight.”
At that, Clarinda stiffened, her gaze slowly shifting toward
Sarah.
Sarah quickly looked away, a look of guilt on her face.
Clarinda understood everything. Matilda knew she had been
bluffing, but she never called it unless it was necessary.
Her face paled. She unclenched her fist, a streak of defiance
rising instead. “This temporary arrangement–how long exactly?”
Chapter 22
“I’ll arrange it as quickly as possible.”
“800,000 dollars.”
“What did you say?”
Clarinda’s expression remained calm, as though she hadn’t
noticed Matilda’s shock. “Two houses on Brenwick Road. Plus
800,000 dollars.”
She knew full well she was asking for a lot, but she said it
anyway. Deep down, she had never responded well to force. If
Matilda used Stacey’s health, she might have agreed instantly.
But Clarinda loathed having her weak spots used against her, as
if she should feel grateful for the scraps thrown her way.
It was just like how Rowena treated her. Clarinda’d been treated
worse than a dog, yet in everyone else’s eyes, she owed them a
lifetime of gratitude.
“Do you even know what you’re saying? Ungrateful!”
Matilda’s chest heaved in fury. She snatched up a teacup and
hurled it to the floor, where it hit with a dull thud.
Coffee spread quickly over the wool rug, leaving a messy stain.
Much like this marriage’s ending.
Chapter 22
Ugly.
Suddenly, a voice came from the entryway. A black Maybach
was parked outside.
Corbin had returned without anyone noticing.
His refined face carried a trace of weariness, his coat draped
casually over one arm. At the sight before him, he frowned and
turned to Matilda. “Mom, what reason could you possibly have
to be angry with Clara?”
Matilda seethed, but no words came. At last, she snapped, “Do
you think I’d lose my temper with her for nothing?”
This time, Clarinda didn’t step in to smooth things over as she
usually did.
She lowered her gaze, lips pressed tight, and kept silent.
Winter sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling
windows, spilling across her pale face, every fine hair visible.
Her lashes cast soft shadows, dark hair falling loose over her
shoulders. She looked as gentle and quiet as her nature.
Corbin could only think of one reason his mother would lash out. Adrienne’s Instagram post last night.
Chapter 22
And Clarinda was bearing the brunt of their anger for nothing.
He strode over, caught Clarinda’s arm, and pulled her behind
him, his voice firm and brooking no argument. “No matter
what’s upsetting you, you owe respect to me and to her.
Clarinda blinked, startled.
She lifted her gaze slightly, staring at his broad back, and
couldn’t help but think of that day at the Alden’s mansion,
when he had shielded Adrienne in just the same way.
So decisive.
She thought, he really was a generous man. Even though he
didn’t love her, he didn’t mind protecting her, too.
Matilda shot Corbin a glare, then rose angrily. “So now you’ve
grown up, and you’re turning your back on your own family?”
With that, she snatched up her bag and stormed off.
At the entryway, as she changed her shoes, she looked back at
Clarinda. “I’ll take care of what we discussed.”
“Alright, thank you, Matilda.”
Clarinda rose to see her off. “And the paperwork…”
Chapter 22
“Once they’re ready, I’ll have them sent over.”
Still fuming, Matilda left those words behind, then clicked away
in her heels.
Clarinda finally let out a breath, only to turn and meet Corbin’s
questioning gaze.
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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.
