Chapter 3: As Expected
“Why is Caroline here?” Claire thought, “Caroline is ‘Anna’s‘ sister. I’d only met her once, but I could never forget her
face… It was the day after Anna had died. After the truth about me and Anna’s identities were revealed, in Caroline’s eyes, I was now her blood–related older sister. But after Anna died, Caroline almost strangled me to death.”
“Ms. Prescott… It’s so good to see you free. I owe you an apology after all these years. I believed only a single piece of information, your vague whereabouts… and accused you of killing my sister. I apologize,” Caroline spoke earnestly and guiltily upon seeing her.
* Claire unconsciously tightened her grip at the mention of the
past. Her insides twisted, and she felt a pang in her gut. If it had been four years ago, Caroline would have vehemently blamed her, but now…
$
She rubbed her hands, already stiff from the cold.
“No, it’s my fault. Anna was…” But before she could finish, Frederick grabbed her throat.
“Claire, don’t let me hear Anna’s name leave your mouth. You don’t deserve to say it!” he groaned. His grip was so strong it
nearly choked her to death, her eyes rolling back into her head.
Caroline pleaded for him to stop from the side, anxiety
Chapter 3: As Expected
spreading over her face, until he finally let go. He glared at Claire, sternly warning:
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“Claire, if I hear you say Anna’s name again, I’ll personally make sure your life in the free world is worse than your life in prison.”
“Frederick, please…Ms. Prescott didn’t mean to upset you.” Caroline pleaded again, trying to change the subject, “Aren’t we going out to eat? I’m starving. Please, let’s just go.”
Finally, they got into the car, thanks to Caroline. Watching the Cayenne speed away, Claire clutched at her chest, unable to stand anymore. She collapsed to the ground, her bony legs barely cushioning her fall.
“The man I loved wholeheartedly…my entire life… was ready to strangle me over a name.” she thought.
She didn’t know how long she had been kneeling there, but after seeing all of the snow piling up on the ground, she knew she had fallen into another daze. No longer was she the present, vivacious young woman from before.
The snow had frozen her to the bone. Only then did she of it, out of sheer survival, to return to Prescott Manor.
snap
out
In the living room, Harrison was laughing on the phone. It was strange to see him smiling, and a small part of her felt relieved to see him in a chipper mood. But when he saw Claire come in, *, his expression immediately turned glum.
Her stomach dropped.
Chapter 3: As Expected
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“Are you actually that heartless? Why aren’t you at the hospital with Grandma? You know she has surgery tomorrow, right?!” he
scolded.
“I… Grandma asked me to come back tomorrow. Don’t worry. I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” she calmly explained, not daring to take a step further into the living room.
“Claire, you’d better not pretend to be all filial, or you’ll regret it,” Harrison clenched his teeth. Upon seeing her, he was reminded of his biological sister’s death, and picked up the marble ashtray from the coffee table.
His white knuckles gripped around it, preparing to hurl it at her.
“I didn’t… I- I won’t. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Grandma. I’ll follow her orders.”
The ashtray suddenly slammed into her forehead, and she fought back a yelp. Tears instantly welled up in Claire’s eyes, but she forced them down as the stinging surged through the thin skin of her face.
Harrison froze, staring at her. The hand that had thrown the ashtray hung in mid–air. For a moment, she thought it trembled.
“What’s going on here?” a voice boomed. Upstairs, Robert and Margaret Prescott heard the commotion and hurried downstairs.
“It’s nothing. I accidentally bumped my head….” Claire quickly
Chapter 3: As Expected
spoke before Harrison could attempt to.
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“If you’re really coming back, you need to get your act together,” Robert demanded.
“Alright, it’s late,” Margaret added, “Go upstairs and rest. You need to accompany Elizabeth for her surgery tomorrow.”
Each of them clearly saw the ashtray on the floor but tacitly ignored it, exchanging a quick glance before turning to head back upstairs.
“Okay,” Claire nodded, looking down, and followed them upstairs.
Harrison stood there, disbelief marking his face as he watched Claire walk away. When they were kids, even if he merely raised his voice at her, she would cry and scream. She’d always refuse to let it go, and would cause a scene with their parents.
But now, he had thrown a weighty ashtray at her, and her head was bleeding….. she was in excruciating pain… and she said nothing.
A pang of guilt rose in his heart.
Presently, however, he remembered his sister Anna’s death, and the guilt quickly vanished.
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