Chapter 6 Claudia Didn’t Come Home Tonight?
Back in the car.
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Gloria was still fuming. When she saw Claudia staring down at her phone, she assumed her friend was hurting and immediately threw her arms around her.
“Claudia- It’s okay, really. Everything’s going to be alright.”
Claudia was pulled into a tight hug. She felt both touched and amused–until her bruised shoulder was squeezed, making her let out a stifled whimper.
“What’s wrong?”
Ever since Claudia got married, Gloria hadn’t seen her cry. So hearing that sound gave her a
scare.
Claudia frowned. “Nothing, just my shoulder. It hurts.”
Gloria froze. She suddenly remembered how Nathan had blocked Claudia earlier–his arm right across her shoulder blades.
The car’s heater was on, so without hesitation, she pulled aside Claudia’s collar. The moment she saw what was underneath, her eyes turned red.
Claudia’s shoulder blades were badly bruised.
Nathan was trained and strong. Claudia herself wasn’t weak either, so he’d used considerable force to stop her, enough to cause real damage.
Her skin was pale to begin with–every mark showed clearly. That dark bruise looked awful.
“Scumbags! Bastards! They don’t even treat people like people!”
Gloria was shaking with rage. Claudia hadn’t even said anything, and she was already crying.
“It’s fine, really. I’ll put on some ointment and rest. It’ll heal.”
Claudia tried to comfort her. Seeing Gloria still so upset, she finally pulled out her phone and held it up.
“Take a look. Guess what this is.”
Gloria wiped her tears, confused, but as soon as she looked, her eyes lit up–shocked and
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Chapter 6 Claudia Didn’t Come Home Tonight?
thrilled. “Didn’t you delete those?!”
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The screen showed the very same photos of Alan and Summer together–the ones Claudia had supposedly erased when Nathan was watching.
Claudia closed her collar again and smiled. “Did you forget what I do for a living?”
She’d originally studied computer science because of Alan. He might have never
acknowledged her, but she had taken it seriously—and had become nothing short of a tech expert. Recovering deleted photos? Child’s play.
Gloria blinked. “Oh right! You’re amazing!”
Careful to avoid Claudia’s shoulder, she snuggled in again with admiration.
She knew Claudia never really liked computer science. She’d studied it just for Alan, only for him to treat her like nothing.
But Gloria had always admired her friend.
To become that good at something you didn’t even love? She’d become a pro at it anyway. Who else could say the same?
“Don’t worry. These photos alone aren’t enough, but I’ll give it my all. I might not specialize in divorce, but even if I have to go back to school and get my professors involved, I’ll make sure this divorce is clean and beautiful. No way we’re letting those scumbags win.”
Gloria patted her chest with a vow. “Forget that loser. The next one will be way better!”
Claudia smiled, ignoring the sting in her heart. Still, she was a little worried. “But what about Nathan’s threats? Your career…”
Gloria
waved a hand, unfazed. “If I can’t even handle my best friend’s case, what kind of lawyer am I? I might as well go home and take over the family business.”
Claudia knew Gloria said that to make her feel better.
Becoming a lawyer had always been Gloria’s dream. Otherwise, why would a rich girl like her go through all that hard work–climbing step by step on her own? That was no small sacrifice. It wasn’t something she’d give up so easily.
But now that she’d made such a bold statement, Claudia knew pushing back would just be insulting. Gloria would be angry if she refused.
She smiled and patted Gloria’s head.
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“Then I’m counting on you. I’ve already decided to go back into art and design. If it really comes down to it, I’ll hire you at a sky–high salary as my personal lawyer.”
Gloria’s eyes instantly lit up. “You finally came to your senses!”
Claudia’s skills in design were no joke.
She claimed she had no talent for computer science, and yet she’d become an expert. So what about art and design–something she had shown promise in since her teens, already famous for her natural gift?
Her teacher had been a world–renowned master of Eastern–inspired haute couture–a founder of one of the world’s thirteen top luxury fashion houses. The resources, the background–everything was there.
Unfortunately, family circumstances–and later, her marriage–had made Claudia put all of that on hold. She’d thrown herself into computer science for Alan’s sake.
But with her talent, if she came back to the field, it would be like a fish returning to water— like a dragon finding the wind. Her future was limitless.
They both had work the next day, so after chatting a little longer, they went their
ways.
separate
Claudia had just returned to her apartment near the office when her phone buzzed.
So late–who could it be?
Curious, she opened the message and froze.
It was from her grandaunt.
She hadn’t dared to call earlier and hadn’t expected any response when she sent the message. Yet here it was–on the same day, no less.
She quickly opened it.
“I’m at Minch Fashion Week abroad. Soon I’ll be heading to Pinetown for Haute Couture Week. We’ll talk about your situation when I’m back at the end of the month. Bring your latest work to show me.”
Seven years had passed, and her grandaunt was as direct and efficient as ever.
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Chapter 6 Claudia Didn’t Come Home Tonight?
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But since she replied, that meant there was still hope for their relationship to mend. Claudia’s nerves, which had been stretched tight all night, finally relaxed a little.
At least something good had happened.
There were still over ten days left in the month. She’d have to wrap up her current job and prepare carefully. Her grandaunt was all business–cold and professional. She didn’t care about family ties. Only ability mattered.
As she ran through everything in her mind, Claudia showered and treated her shoulder before heading to bed.
Right before she fell asleep, she had the nagging feeling that she’d forgotten something.
But she was just too exhausted, and sleep claimed her.
:
Garden, the Moore family villa.
All the servants had gone to bed. Only Andy was still up in his room, playing games.
By midnight, he was bored.
He didn’t want to call Mom. Whenever she picked up, it was always the same–nagging and more nagging. But staying home alone was no fun either.
He wanted to play with Ms. Summer. She always played with him like a real buddy.
Mom was so boring.
He’d finally gotten to spend some time with Ms. Summer at Dad’s company this afternoon, but Dad sent him home early, saying they had things to do. Still, he’d promised to come home tonight.
Liar!
Andy hugged his phone and called Alan. It took a while before someone answered.
Andy pouted. “Dad, when are you coming home?”
Alan sounded calm. “Didn’t your mom come back from her business trip? Let her stay home with you for now.”
“She did not!” Andy’s voice rose. “Dad, you’re a liar!”
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Chapter 6 Claudia Didn’t Come Home Tonight?
Alan was surprised. “She didn’t come home?”
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Wasn’t her trip over? She’d even followed and photographed him today. And yet she hadn’t gone home? Was she sulking over what happened tonight?
But she had followed and spied on him. Shouldn’t that warrant punishment?
Alan thought Claudia was being unreasonable again. But she’d come crawling back in a few days–she always did. He didn’t worry about it.
“No, she didn’t!” Andy fumed. “And I don’t want Mom! She’s annoying. Dad, come home!”
He was already in a bad mood. Then he heard Summer’s voice through the phone.
“Alan, who’s calling?”
