Chapter 27
Juliette lifted her glass toward Clarinda, eyes bright with relief.
“Clifton tells me you’re divorcing. I think you’re absolutely right.
I believe you’ll meet someone far better.”
As they spoke, her gaze swept briefly over Rudolf.
She had always thought the two of them made a good match,
one gentle, the other kind. A perfect pair.
Clarinda felt a sharp, mocking stare press down on her, but she
acted as if she didn’t notice. Smiling, she lifted her head. “Juliette,
Clifton misunderstood. I already explained it to him on the way
here.”
“I never planned to divorce.”
As the words left her lips and she turned her head, she
unexpectedly met a pair of dark eyes.
The man’s gaze was deep, carrying a piercing curiosity.
Yes.
She refused to admit the divorce in front of him.
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Juliette was stunned, then scolded her husband. “Something this
big, and you didn’t even tell me? I already ordered a divorce
cake..”
“Ahem, I just didn’t get the chance.”
Clifton didn’t press, simply chiming in to support Clarinda.
“Cake tastes good whether there’s a divorce or not. As long as
Clarinda is happy, that’s what matters, right?”
Juliette sighed. “Well, that’s true.”
“Thank you, Juliette.”
Clarinda lifted her glass, touched it lightly, and took a sip.
The moment she set it down, the man across from her spoke in
an unhurried, cold tone. “You’ve improved. Learned to swallow
your pride.”
That comment didn’t surprise her at all.
Back then, when she married, Ambrose had never agreed.
She’d only been desperate to escape the Langdon family and
wouldn’t listen to a word. Besides, at the time, she truly believed
Corbin was the right choice.
He had objected, so she’d married out of spite.
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And now, with her humiliation known to everyone, of course
he would mock her.
That statement she had released online might fool the public,
but not those around her. Anyone with eyes could tell her from
Adrienne.
“You taught me well.”
Clarinda shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm. She wanted to
storm off, but couldn’t bear to waste Juliette’s hard–cooked
meal. So she forced herself to stay put.
Rudolf looked surprised. “You two know each other?”
“Not really.“”
“More than just know.”
Clarinda and Ambrose answered at the same time.
The air froze.
Ambrose’s long fingers tapped idly on the base of his wine glass
as he glanced lazily at Rudolf. “I’m her brother.”
Something inside Clarinda burned hot. She drew a deep breath,
fighting the tightness in her chest, her eyes stinging red at the
corners.
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She was about to speak when Clifton cut in. “Rudolf, you’ve
eaten enough. Take Clara home.”
“Clifton, Juliette…”
Clarinda turned apologetically to Juliette.
Juliette patted her back gently. “It’s fine, dear. Just do as your
teacher says.”
Rudolf was startled by Clarinda’s connection to Ambrose, but he
knew this wasn’t the time to ask questions. He stood and guided
her out. “Come on, I’ll take you home.””
“Thank you, Rudolf.”
Ambrose’s dark eyes narrowed, his brow twitching ever so
slightly. The sound grated in his ears.
Once they’d left, Clifton turned back, his warmth gone. “If it
weren’t for you bringing Clara to me all those years ago, making
her my student, you wouldn’t have stepped foot in this house
today!”
“I know you may have your reasons, but have you ever thought
about what she’s endured? She’s never gone a day without
taking medicine to stop the bleeding and bruising. That’s thanks
to your family!”
Chapter 27
Juliette headed upstairs, leaving space for their conversation.
Ambrose stilled, glancing toward the car rolling out of the
driveway before withdrawing his gaze. His tight jaw gradually
eased, but when he spoke, his voice was frigid.
“Mr. Peterson, I came today to discuss a collaboration.”
“Anything else, I’m not interested.”
***
The car merged into the flow of traffic, city lights dispersing the
night’s heaviness.
Clarinda hadn’t spoken a word since getting in, leaning quietly
against the seat, staring out at the blur of passing streetlights.
In the four years he’d known her, Rudolf had seen her
resilience–a toughness hidden beneath her gentle demeanor,
like flowers blooming despite storm and wind.
But tonight, she wasn’t the same.
She said nothing, yet Rudolf could sense her sadness.
At a red light, he braked softly. “Are you okay?”
Truthfully, she wasn’t.
Chapter 27
Ambrose was so detached, as if none of it had ever happened.
She was petty, the one clinging to old grudges, trapped in a past
she couldn’t escape.
Still, Clarinda didn’t like bearing her heart. She forced a smile.
“I’m fine.”
“Remember, if something’s wrong, say it.”
Rudolf didn’t push further, just cautioned gently. “Clara, don’t
go head–to–head with Ambrose. You’ll lose.”
It was the plain truth.
A knot of mixed emotions rose in Clarinda’s chest. After a long
pause, she whispered, “I know!”
She didn’t even know why. Corbin’s affair hadn’t shaken her
control.
But with this, she lost it too easily.
Later that night, back home, she mentioned it to Cecily.
“Do you know why?”
Shoving aside the files on the coffee table, Cecily leaned back
with the air of someone who had everything figured out.
“Because you trusted Ambrose with your whole heart for nine
Chapter 27
years. With Corbin, you only tried to trust him, and he let you
down.”
“You never got the chance to give yourself completely. He never
accepted it.”
She sipped her coffee, wagging her finger mysteriously before
giving her verdict. “In the end, it’s about emotional sunk cost.”
Later, after her shower, Clarinda lay in bed replaying Cecily’s
words.
***
Cloudspire Club.
Unlike other members–only venues, this one wasn’t open to just
anyone with money.
It was the haunt of politicians and business tycoons.
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.
