Chapter 11 Will you still marry me?
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The moment the words left her mouth, Elena and Serena's expressions shifted in an instant.
Even though they quickly masked it, that fleeting change didn't slip past the onlookers. Combined with all the earlier drama, it wasn't hard to put two and two together.
Kicking out the adopted daughter who shares no blood ties while still trying to look like the good guy? Seriously?
Trying to play both sides? Life doesn't give out participation trophies.
The damage was already done. Claire didn't bother with small talk.
"You don't need to worry—I'm leaving for good. Today's the last time you'll see me as a Thompson. The name, the ties, all of it—done."
With that, she turned and walked off. No dragging it out, just clean and sharp.
Nelson instinctively moved after her, barely taking two steps before Serena stepped in front of him.
"Nelson, are you mad at me? I... I honestly don't know why I did what I did. I really don't…"
Claire paused at that bit of performance.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him lower his head, soothing Serena gently. A flicker of mockery curved her lips, but she didn't stop. She didn't even look back.
"Hey, Miss Claire, wait up!"
Alyssa jogged over, looking like nothing was wrong—and definitely not like someone being trashed online. Her bright smile had its usual spark.
"Mind if I leave with you?"
Claire shook her head. "Go ahead."
She didn't care much, her demeanor detached.
But Alyssa couldn't keep quiet.
"Miss Claire, sorry to pry, but were you guys playing cards in that room? I'm dying to know. What was that whole 'You're amazing!' thing about?"
Claire stayed silent, but one of the guys tailing them couldn't hold it in.
"Oh, that? That's 'cause our boss here was killing it! We won three rounds back-to-back!"
"And what about the whole 'Why is it me again? I can't take this anymore!' line?"
"Ha! That was me gettin' my butt kicked. Literally. We were playing strip poker—I was down to almost nothing! Thank god you guys barged in when you did."
The other guy scratched his head awkwardly.
Meanwhile, back in the room, the atmosphere was heavy.
Most of the guests had already left. Only Serena, Elena, and Nelson remained.
Serena's eyes were red as she looked at him, all pitiful and teary.
"Nelson, you're mad, aren't you?... I don't know what came over me. I just couldn't help it when I thought about her being your wife. I didn't mean to do it! I know I messed up… I shouldn't have come back. I should've just stayed gone…"
Elena chimed in, crying too. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't lost you back then, Serena wouldn't have ended up like this. You're my only child left—I can't lose you too!"
It was just like three years ago, when she lost it over Nelson getting married—playing the victim all over again.
Nelson kept his lips tightly pressed, his dark eyes unreadable.
After a long pause, he finally straightened up a bit. "She's not pressing charges, so try not to overthink it. Just… seriously, don't do anything like that again, okay?"
Elena rushed to explain. "Serena's not well—she didn't mean to act like that."
"I know," he nodded. "But being sick doesn't excuse hurting others. If something had really happened to Claire today…"
His voice trailed off. He couldn't bear to think about what could've been.
He looked away, clearly ready to leave.
"It's late. Get some rest. I'm heading out."
Serena's voice trembled. "Nelson... you hate me."
He gave her a long look.
Shaking his head, he said, "I wasn't the one hurt. I have no right to blame you. Just focus on getting better. Things can still turn around."
Serena cautiously asked, "Then Nelson... does your promise still count? You said after divorcing her, you'd marry me—does that still hold?"
- Escritor
