( Claire )

I never imagined myself standing in front of my father’s house with my luggage.

Three years ago, my parents told me to never give up on my marriage and be a good wife to Davian but today, I lost everything. I failed to live my promise.

“Ma’am, your parents are expecting you in the living room. Please, come with me.” A butler came to inform me and with an exasperated sigh, I followed him with a hammering heart.

My parents were sitting in the living room. The tension in the air was thick. My mother was sitting like an idol on the sofa, next to my father staring at her manicured nails. But she wasn’t the who gave me chills. My father maintained his hard stance as he sat with crossed arms and legs, his eyes judging me. He didn’t look pleased.

“What brings you here, Claire Bale?”

I cringed at the sound of my name, it felt like an arrow shot through my heart.

His question was straight but I was shaking with fear.

“It’s Claire Vance now, Dad. He cheated on me. Our marriage was never a real one but an agreement signed between you and him, right?” With teary eyes, I challenged my father to answer me.

His lips pressed into a thin line but I saw how he squirmed on his seat.

“I wasn’t left with any choice, Claire. My business faced a hard blow and it’s your fault that you failed to make him fall for you.” His next question ridiculed my weakness.

I looked down as I had nothing to defend myself but he was blaming everything on me.

“You had no right to play with my life, Dad!” I shouted, my anger was surfacing, “They took my baby from me. Do you hear me? They used me as a vessel.” I shouted losing the last straw of patience.

“Oh sweetheart, I know it must be hurting you right now but soon you’ll get over this. We’ll find you a suitable partner. Please, don’t cry now. Try to understand, your father needed the money otherwise we’d be on the streets.”

It pained me how my own mother was eager to justify my father’s sins. Clearly, she didn’t look shocked or sad for me. I wiped my tears and waited for their next statement.

“Mom, I am your toy that you can play anytime. My life is completely ruined. My husband slapped marriage annulment papers on my face mocking me. I lost my child and you want me to find another man and help you in continue this lavish lifestyle that you bought in my exchange.” I yelled at her.

“What did you receive in alimony? I hope it’s their airlines company.” Dad asked me calmly.

I blinked my eyes in disbelief. He was still thinking about his own profit.

“I don’t want anything from him, Dad. I married him for love but now, I don’t want to keep any link with him.” I answered and a frustrated curse left his mouth.

He rose on his feet, his face dark with fury.

“You can’t live here, Claire. You failed as a wife and as a daughter. I don’t want you here and see my name being drawn into shame. Leave my house.” He announced. I wasn’t shocked.

They have always been like this but I never expected him to be this cruel.

Instead of comforting me, they threw me out of their lives like I was nothing but a used tissue paper.

But I’d not fall weak and show them that they had messed up with a wrong person. Their cruel betrayal awakened the tigress inside me.

I’d fight for my son unless it’s confirmed that he wasn’t mine.

“Can I take something with me? It’s in my old room.” I asked them in a flat tone.

“No, we vacated your room and sold your things to the scrapper.” Mom replied.

I snapped my eyes at her with teary eyes.

“Can I stay here for the night? Where will I go at this time?”

“We don’t care. You can leave right now. You came back empty handed, do not expect us to welcome you with open arms.” Dad threw another menacing glare before walking away. Mom rose from her spot and walked towards me.

A sliver of hope flickered inside me. Maybe, she’d have some mercy on me and allow me to rest in their house for the night.

“Audrey, I am sorry. I can’t do much for you. You know how is your father? He hates losers and for him, you’re his biggest disappointment since your in-laws fought with him for you. You’ll definitely find yourself a good place soon. God bless you, Claire.” She smiled at me widely before walking in the same direction as my father.

Fresh tears slipped from my eyes. My own parents turned their backs on me. I was a fool to come here when I knew what would be their reaction. The house staff gave me a look of sympathy. I tiredly dragged my body out of the house which was once my home.

Reality dawned upon me. I never had a home. I was only a pawn for everyone.

I walked out of their house and shivered as the road was deserted. There was not a single soul anywhere near my sight.

I started walking on the road aimlessly. I regretted for not standing on my own feet and wasted my life serving my heartless husband. I had friends before marriage but I cut my ties with them since Dustin didn’t like me hanging out with them.

I changed myself for a man who dumped me for his first love and forgot all the sacrifices I made for his love.

My hand reached for my slightly bulged stomach. I had his seed growing inside me. I wanted to tell him but his one decision forced me to change my mind. I can’t let him take my child away from me.

I have a hope to start a fresh life. My baby is only mine. I wouldn’t allow him to raise it with my sister.

I was walking aimlessly on the road when I didn’t realise that a car was coming from the opposite direction on full speed. When I realised, it was too late because it stopped in front of me and four men stepped out. They looked scary.

Fear engulfed me. I couldn’t move so I wrapped my hand protectively around my belly.

“So, here you are, little sweetie. We looked for you everywhere.” One of them said to me with a creepy grin.

“Wha…what..do you..want?” I stammered with my question and retreated in order to escape.

“We are here to take care of you, little pie. Someone wants to send you where everyone goes sooner or later and tonight, we’ll do the honour to make you rest in peace, Ms. Vance.” One of them said to me and laughed. The others also laughed with him which shook me to the core.

My life was in danger. I had to save myself and my baby. So, without thinking much, I spun around and started running for my life.

“Run as much as you want, Claire Vance because it’s going to be fun for us to kill you.” They said and I heard them chasing me.

Tears flew uncontrollably from my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t last long. But why someone wanted to kill me? Suddenly, my feet stumbled upon a pebble and I fell on the road. Pain shot through my knees but my biggest fears were surrounding me. I coiled and joined my hands while crying hysterically.

“Please, I beg you. Let me go. I swear I won’t ever come back.” I begged them.

“You know someone paid us one million to kill you and throw your body into the ocean so your skeleton would be disappeared in the depth of ocean. How can we kick this much money? Your life is nothing in comparison of the money we are getting.” They laughed viciously.

I saw my death coming near me in slow and brisk steps.

“Sorry, little pea. We have to kill you because we have received five million just to end your pretty life. How pity? Miss Cullen and Mr. Bale want you dead. We wonder what secret you are keeping in your heart which made them this scared.” They faked apology and pulled out daggers.

I closed my eyes with hammering heart. There was no way that I’d escape death.

The first stab an immense pain to travel through my body.

They twisted the dagger in my stomach and I yelped in pain.

“Rest in peace, Miss Vance.” I heard them laughing.

My vision was blur but I saw them leaving. One of them informed my tormentors about my dying state.

Soon pain turned into numbness. My eyelids fluttered before closing.