Chapter 303: Who Do You Love?

With a sudden rip, Claire’s bathrobe was torn open, leaving a ghastly gash on her body. Frederick’s immense strength had left a crimson mark that seemed to be oozing blood.

“Ahh!” Claire’s face turned pale as she clutched her body in agony. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. But Frederick didn’t care. He didn’t give Claire a moment to compose herself. Instead, he grasped her chin, his fingers digging deep into her skin. “Tell me, how many times have you been with Antony?”

The pain was excruciating, and Claire’s eyes welled up with tears. She struggled to speak, her mouth opening and closing several times before she managed to stammer out three words. “I… didn’t… have…”

Frederick’s expression was unyielding. “Fine, you won’t admit it. No problem, Claire. I’ll find out for myself.” He released her chin and slid his hand under her torn bathrobe.

Claire’s body shuddered at the sudden invasion. Frederick’s eyes widened in surprise. Her body was tight, almost virginal. He remembered the last time they were together—it had been a long time ago. In fact, he could count the number of times they’d been intimate on one hand. It didn’t make sense. Claire’s body should be loose, not tight. But as he felt her warmth and wetness envelop his finger, he couldn’t deny the sensation. It was like being wrapped in a warm, gentle cocoon. Frederick’s abdomen tightened, and he felt himself harden. It had been too long since he’d last touched Claire. And he hadn’t been with any other woman since.

“Frederick, pull your hand out,” Claire said, feeling the finger inside her, her legs involuntarily tightening as she spoke. She was genuinely surprised that she still had a reaction at this moment. A wave of shame washed over her.

“Claire, I’m giving you one last chance,” he said, slowly withdrawing his finger. “Tell me the truth. What happened between you and Antony?”

Claire’s face was a mix of pain and shame. “Frederick, I swear we didn’t plan to run away together. Why would we come back if we had? We had no reason to elope. I don’t love Antony. If I did, I would have chosen him over you from the start. Remember when I fell into Moon Lake? Antony took care of me in the hospital for a long time. If I wanted to be with him, I would have chosen him then, not after we got engaged. Antony may love me, but I don’t love him.”

Frederick listened intently, his expression unreadable. But then, he asked a question that caught Claire off guard. “Who do you love?”

Claire’s eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t expected Frederick to ask that. “Tell me,” he pressed, his voice low and urgent.

Claire took a deep breath, her eyes locked on Frederick’s. “I used to love you, Frederick. I loved you more than anything in this world. I loved you so much that I would have given my life for you without hesitation.” Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face. “I never thought I could love someone that much. But then… you had me sent to prison.”

The pain was still raw, still festering. Claire’s voice broke, and she struggled to speak. She thought she had long since gotten used to the pain, but now she realized that the wound had simply been buried deep within her, waiting to be reopened.

Frederick’s expression softened, and he reached out to pull Claire into his arms. It was a gentle, unexpected gesture, and Claire felt a spark of surprise. For a moment, she felt safe, protected in Frederick’s warm embrace. It was a feeling she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“Frederick,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “If I tell you it was Caroline who tried to kill me and pushed Antony and me off the cliff, will you believe me?”

Frederick’s face went white, his eyes frozen in shock.