Chapter 102: She Once Loved Him

Panic gripped Claire as she collapsed to the floor with a thud, crawling forward to beg. For her, Elizabeth was a rare beacon of warmth in her otherwise tumultuous life. Elizabeth’s fragile heart couldn’t bear the slightest shock; Claire couldn’t let her worry.

“Fine. You said it yourself. Remember your promise,” Frederick said.

Satisfied, Frederick stubbed out his cigar and left the room.

That night, Claire lay in the cold, dim basement of the Halfmoon Manor, unable to sleep. Her mind flitted from Frederick to Elizabeth, then to Antony. This time, Claire had truly abandoned any thoughts of escape. Elizabeth’s health was fragile. If her grandmother suffered because of her, Claire knew she’d never forgive herself. She no longer needed to struggle for money either; Antony’s check for a million dollars would last if she spent it wisely. She felt it was enough to see her through until Frederick’s presidential campaign ended. Once that day came, everything would fall into place. Frederick wouldn’t keep her around anymore. She could finally leave and live a life of freedom.

Thinking of this, Claire felt relieved, but then she thought about another matter. “But…what if he loses? Or worse, what if he wins? Wouldn’t being around him become even more dangerous? I couldn’t sit idly by.” She knew her only options were to provoke Caroline into creating enough chaos to force Frederick to let her go… or to make Frederick lose interest in her, rendering her useless. Yet Caroline had caused a ruckus before, only to stop after a few days. It seemed all her efforts had to be directed at Frederick.

After much thought, Claire came up with only one plan. Frederick cared most about the death of Caroline, wanting everyone around him to believe that she was the woman who had been by his side for four years. Claire decided she’d win over the people around him first, ensuring everyone knew she existed. Then, she’d subtly plant seeds of doubt that his affections were for someone else. Once she was deemed worthless to him, he’d have no reason to hold her.

By then, when everyone around Frederick knew of her existence, for the political future of the Hawthorne family, for his own chance at the presidency, he naturally wouldn’t be able to do anything to her. Then, she could negotiate with Frederick to leave him legitimately. But Claire knew pulling this off wouldn’t be easy. Still, she had no other choice. Otherwise, she feared she’d remain a pawn in his games, destined to die. That dream was too vivid to ignore, and she was convinced that if it came to a choice, Frederick would pick Caroline. He’d mold Claire into her likeness, only to sacrifice her when the time came. After all, he despised her for Anna’s death. The thought of it hurt more than she wanted to admit.

Chapter 102: She Once Loved Him

There was a time when she loved him so deeply she believed they’d spend their lives together. But now, she was the one scheming to escape him. The man who was once her everything now felt like a noose tightening around her neck. Back then, she’d have given her life for him. Now, she fought to keep it, drained and desperate.

Having decided on this, Claire checked the time on her phone; it was already 4 a.m. Claire set down her phone, closed her eyes, and finally fell asleep. Despite the late hour, it was the most peaceful sleep she’d had in a long time. Maybe it was because these trials had forced her to grow. Growing up meant facing fears rather than avoiding them. It meant understanding that some desires, no matter how cherished, weren’t meant to be yours.

When she woke, it was already noon. With no need to fight in the underground arena for cash and with Antony’s million dollars easing her immediate worries, Claire found herself with unexpected free time.

Chapter 102: She Once Loved Him

Now, she only needed to wait for Frederick to make his move. This time, she wouldn’t wait passively. She’d start implementing her survival plan. But she had to decide where to begin. Claire couldn’t think of any good methods for a while. Stumped, she opened her phone, thinking she might find inspiration online. As soon as she opened the browser, a headline caught her eye. The article featured her: “[Injustice: A Young Woman Is Forced to Live In a Slum.]” Claire stared at the headline, a sly smile spreading across her face.