Chapter 20
Rowena had smiled as she said, “Ambi has always been moody.
When he’s in good spirits, keeping a pet around is natural. But
when he grows tired, tossing it aside like garbage is even more
natural.”
“Only someone as pitifully alone as you would mistake him for
salvation.”
“Have you learned your lesson now?”
Clarinda could hardly remember what she had said in reply,
dazed and faint.
She only remembered the burning sun overhead, the way she
fainted from the heat, then being jolted awake with a bucket of
ice water.
But through all the years that followed, she reminded herself
relentlessly. Never again depend on anyone, never again be
someone’s burden.
She walked carefully, calculating each step, inching her way
forward in life.
***
Chapter 20
The next night, Clarinda and Rudolf landed in Veyton, where
Cecily Kerr was waiting at the arrivals gate.
Seeing someone there to pick her up, Rudolf left her with peace
of mind and returned to the clinic.
Once in the car, Cecily glanced at the luggage in the back and
arched a brow. “So, are you coming to my place or what?”
“Take me to Veridian Villa first.”
That so–called “home” she shared with Corby was there, in
Veridian Villa.
Veyton’s most exclusive neighborhood.
Cecily nodded, then couldn’t help asking, “Still no word from
Corby these past few days?”
“None.”
“What’s his deal? Busy mourning his mistress or something?”
Her lawyer’s tongue was as sharp as ever.
Clarinda didn’t know either, which was why she intended to go
back and face him directly about the divorce.
When she got out of the car, she left her luggage behind. “Take
this to your place for me, alright? Saves me from having to
Chapter 20
move it again later.”
She hadn’t packed much, just the clothes she wore most often.
Plenty was still left behind at Veridian Villa, things she didn’t
want but could wear for now.
Close to midnight, the villa still glowed with its customary light
at the entryway.
At the sound of the door, Sarah appeared, surprised. “Madam,
you’re back. Shall I make you something to eat?”
“No need.”
Clarinda shook her head, cutting straight to the point. “Is Corby
home?”
Sarah’s expression flickered with discomfort, but she still answered honestly, “No, he hasn’t been back these past few
days.”
As she spoke, she quickly added in Corbin’s defense, “He’s
always busy. Don’t let your thoughts run wild.”
Clarinda smiled faintly. “Alright, don’t worry.”
She had no energy to waste guessing where her soon–to–be ex-
husband might be.
Chapter 20
After several sleepless nights, she thought the comfort of her
familiar bed would finally give her rest. But instead of sleeping
through till morning, she lay wide awake.
This place no longer felt safe.
The same room, the same bed. Nothing had changed, yet
everything had.
Clarinda reached for her phone on the nightstand and
mindlessly scrolled through Instagram.
Cecily posted, “Sent off my best girlfriend, now back to
drowning in case files.”
Clarinda’s lips curved, and she tapped the like button.
She kept scrolling until her hand suddenly froze.
Adrienne posted, “You really meant what you said, always
protecting me, never leaving me when I need you most.“”
The photo showed her lying in a hospital bed, someone feeding
her fruit.
Only a hand was visible.
But the long, defined fingers and the tiny red mole at the wrist
gave him away instantly.
Chapte
Clarinda recognized it at once. The man in Adrienne’s post was
Corbin.
She took a screenshot, then sent it to him with a message.
“You’re still at the hospital, right? I need to talk to you. Can I
come tomorrow?”
He hadn’t come home.
She didn’t mind being the one to take the initiative.
After all, divorce would be a relief for them both.
At Veyton Airport.
Once his flight landed, Corbin got into the car and leaned back,
rubbing his temples in exhaustion.
The Maybach cruised steadily through the quiet night.
Streetlights flickered across his chiseled profile, giving the
usually refined man an edge of cold detachment.
His assistant, Warner, spoke softly, “Mr. Alden, to the office or
Veridian Villa?”
“To the office first.”
On the day Clarinda was discharged, a major project at the Thrydon Branch of the Alden Group had gone wrong, costing
Chapter 20
someone their life. Corbin had flown out immediately to
suppress the news, working nonstop until the matter was
contained.
Meanwhile, work piled up at headquarters. Corbin spent the
night clearing it so his team could continue in the morning.
The entire weight of the Alden Group rested on his shoulders.
He couldn’t afford to slack.
Beside him, his phone lit up. Seeing Clarinda’s name, Corbin
unconsciously exhaled in relief.
The last time he texted her, she hadn’t replied. He thought she
was still angry and planned to coax her once things settled
down.
He opened the message, frowning slightly. Instead of replying,
he dialed Adrienne’s number.
“When was that photo taken?”
Adrienne was drinking at a bar. She ducked into a quieter spot,
puzzled. “What photo?”
Corbin cut straight to the point, his voice edged with fatigue.
“The photo you just posted on Instagram.”
Chapter 30
Adrienne froze.
That post was set so only Clarinda could see it.
She had wanted Clarinda to see.
She’d carefully organized the privacy groups. How had Corbin
found out?
Her silence told him everything. His tone hardened. “You didn’t
need to do that. Clarinda is straightforward. She doesn’t play
games.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“That’s what I should be asking you,” Corbin shot back.
“Fine, I’ll say it!”
Adrienne’s voice broke as she raised it over the bar’s noise. “I
wanted her to know. That the one you love, the one you care
about, is me! Me! I’m terrified that if you two don’t divorce,
you’ll eventually fall for her…”
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.
