After Divorce, My General Husband Chasin…
Chapter 4: Breaks the Heart
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Back in her room, Claire thought about her visit to the hospital the next morning and decided to rest.
As she washed up, she noticed the reddened wound on her forehead, and went to get the first aid kit to clean and bandage it. Whether she bandaged it or not, however, didn’t really matter to her.
During her four years in prison, falling asleep with wounds all over her body had become normal, especially for something as small as this.
What she was really worried about was Elizabeth potentially seeing it and becoming concerned for her. She didn’t want to cause any problems, especially for her ailing grandmother, who desperately needed some peace of mind.
The next day, when Elizabeth saw the wound on her forehead, she bombarded Claire with questions. She asked if she had been bullied at home, or if her family was mistreating her. It took a lot of explaining for Claire to calm her down.
Then, they held hands for a moment before wheeling Elizabeth in for her surgery.
› Hours later, she received reports that everything had gone
smoothly, and Claire finally breathed a sigh of relief; the first in
years.
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That evening, when Elizabeth was wheeled back out of the operating room, the doctor briefly met with everyone. He explained that given her age of seventy three, she needed very careful post–op care.
They needed to keep Elizabeth in a good mood, to ensure that she ate, drank, and that she slept well. Since she had a heart stent placed years ago, it was also very crucial not to upset her.
When the doctor finished saying all of this, Robert, Margaret, and Harrison all turned to glare at Claire. She knew right away that they were all expecting her to be the one to mess things up.
“I promise to behave and to never upset Grandma,” she promised, without a trace of objection.
For the next month, Claire stayed at the hospital, day and night, : caring for Elizabeth with complete dedication. She read her
stories, brushed her hair, and held light–hearted conversations with her, ensuring she remain calm and at ease.
Fortunately, Elizabeth’s recovery went well, and a month later, she was discharged and returned to the Prescott Manor. Teary–eyed, she said she had waited four long years to finally have a family dinner.
“They just need time to adjust,” Elizabeth said gently, as if reading Claire’s mind. Her fingers grazed Claire’s gaunt hand with concern.
Worry spread along her face.
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“Where’s the sapphire bracelet I gave you? It wasn’t taken by those people in prison, was it? It’s our family heirloom, you know. If those dreadful people took it, I won’t let them get away with it!”
Elizabeth was clearly agitated, so Claire quickly poured her
some water.
“No, the bracelet… I left it at the Halfmoon Manor before I went to prison.” Claire suddenly remembered after quickly racking her brain. She had left the bracelet there four years ago while renovating Frederick’s villa.
“Claire, I know you like the Hawthorne family’s son. But…” Her face became grave, “You should call off the engagement… My dear, I just want you to find someone who loves you, someone who will cherish you for the rest of your life. Someone who ↑ actually trusts you…”
Claire knew she was right. She’d thought similarly, and having her grandmother’s blessing was the deciding factor.
“Alright, Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll talk to Frederick.” Claire nodded.
Back in her old room, memories of her time with Frederick played in her mind like a movie. Her eyes drifted over every one of her belongings that now felt foreign to her.
*, She finally fell asleep, only to dream a beautiful but
heartbreaking dream.
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She dreamt of four years ago, before everything happened, when she was still the cherished heiress of the Prescott family. Everything was normal again- It all felt so real.
She woke in the middle of the night, staring out at the starry sky through the window, tears streaming down her face as her literal rude awakening settled in her bones.
In just four short years, a thousand days and nights, everything had changed.
Now, she didn’t want anything. Materialism was only a past–life. Luxury was not at all interesting to her. She only wished for Elizabeth to live a long life so that she could take care of her.
As for herself, she felt that simply being alive was enough.
‘As for Frederick… well… he nearly strangled me just for mentioning Anna’s name. How could our engagement
continue? It is time to end it, and I’m sure we both know it. The bracelet is still at the villa, so I’ll just retrieve it when I talk to him, I guess….” she thought.
The next day, Claire went to the Halfmoon Manor. Standing at the entrance, she looked at the familiar surroundings, feeling like a lifetime had passed. Waking life was starting to feel more like a dream than reality.
Her mind drifted to the far off memories of when she first moved into the villa…
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Frederick, do you like the way I decorated the villa? Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I’m about to be Mrs. Hawthorne, so I’ll have the final say here….
She thought about the bright, happy version of herself who had stood there, smiling so radiantly, teasing her soon–to–be husband.
But everything had changed, leaving no trace of the past. She was certain he hadn’t kept anything of hers out of hatred.
Nose stinging with emotion, Claire forced a bitter smile, wiped away her tears, and walked into Halfmoon Manor.
“Stop! What are you doing here?” A cold voice suddenly rang out from above.
* Claire instinctively explained, “Mr. Hawthorne, I know you
don’t want to see me, but I- I left something here. I just came to get it, and I’ll leave right after…”
“Fine. But make it quick. I don’t want to see your face,” he condescended.
“In that case, sir, I think it would be best if we canceled our engagement…”
She kept her head down, cautiously moving forward. She thought he would certainly agree, and that after this, she and * Frederick would never cross paths again.
But Frederick sneered.
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“Claire, when did I say I wanted to cancel the engagement?”
She was startled, quickly looking up at Frederick to see if it were some sick joke. When his face did not change, for a brief moment, she thought that perhaps there was still a chance for them.
But the fleeting hope was crushed within seconds.
“Claire, do you really think four years in prison can make up for Anna’s life?” Frederick pressed closer, forcing her back against the wall, his hand gripping her chin so tightly it felt like it might break.
She leaned against the wall, stood on her tiptoes, and pleaded desperately, “Frederick, please, I have nothing left. Please, let me go, I’ll do anything.”
From his lofty stance, his eyes cold, he replied, “Anything? Well… I want you to marry me.”
What?‘ Claire gasped in disbelief.
