After Divorce, My General Husband Chasing… 1/10
Chapter 392: Be My Brother
After watching the video, Arthur smirked and clapped his hands together. Shawn had been following his orders, secretly keeping an eye on everyone. When he spotted this footage, he thought it might be useful and brought it straight to Arthur.
Arthur recalled the way Frederick had looked at Claire that day in his villa’s living room, and he felt a thrill of excitement. This was shaping up to be a fantastic show. He mused, “Perfect timing. That woman is coming back, and I’ll consider this a little gift for her.”
“She ought to be grateful. After all these years, I’ve done so many good deeds for her without ever asking for anything in return.”
Meanwhile, as Antony finished transferring the funds, he took Claire by the hand, ready to leave. But as he pulled up, he inadvertently tugged at her injury. Although the wound wasn’t deep, it was fresh, and Claire winced in pain, letting out a small cry. “Ah!”
“What’s wrong?” Antony turned back; concern etched on his face.
“It’s nothing. Just a little injury from yesterday. It didn’t heal properly, and when I called you, I got a bit anxious and rushed over from the hospital…” Claire trailed off, trying to downplay her discomfort.
Before she could finish, Antony scooped her up into his arms, hailing a taxi to take them back to the hospital. All the way there, he kept her cradled against him, refusing to set her down until they reached her hospital room. No matter what Claire said or requested, Antony refused to let her down.
“No, seriously, I’m fine! Antony, what about your injuries?” Claire protested, but her words fell on deaf ears.
Chapter 392: Be My Brother
In the past, she would have fiercely resisted being carried like this, but after everything they had been through, she had gained a new perspective. The brush with death had opened her eyes to many truths, especially regarding her complicated feelings for Frederick. Now, both Elizabeth and Antony were the only ones who truly cared for her, and she wanted to cherish that.
Ever since she learned that she wasn’t the true heiress of the Prescott family four years ago, Claire felt as if she had lost her family overnight. The warmth of human connections had vanished in an instant. Even her parents, who had raised her for over twenty years, and her brother, who had grown up with her, had turned their backs on her, even harboring resentment.
As for her acquaintances, those who once fawned over her had quickly shifted their allegiances. Now, it seemed that only Antony and Elizabeth remained as genuine support in her life. With this in mind, Claire decided to focus on nurturing her relationship with these two who cared for her.
As for Arthur, she found herself agreeing with Elizabeth’s caution. Someone as enigmatic and potentially dangerous as Arthur was best kept at arm’s length.
Chapter 392: Be My Brother
Even though she had felt his kindness during her time at his villa, an unsettling feeling lingered in her heart. That discomfort was enough for her to avoid any deeper connections with him. Right now, she just wanted to live a simple, happy, and healthy life as an ordinary person. She longed to rely solely on her own strength and lead a straightforward existence without the burden of complicated matters weighing her down.
As for Antony, after everything that had happened, she was certain he genuinely cared for her.
Chapter 392: Be My Brother
Claire snapped back to reality, glancing at the bruises on his face. She reached out to tend to them but felt a sharp tug at her own wound instead.
“Stop worrying about me. The most important thing for you right now is to rest. Trust me, these are just minor injuries. I’ll take care of them right away.” Antony quickly got up to help Claire lie down, tucking the blankets around her carefully before stepping out to attend to his wounds.
Once he was gone, Claire lay there, her eyes closed, but the image of Antony’s trembling, overwhelmed expression lingered in her mind. His eyes had lit up as if he’d been brought back to life just by seeing her. The weight of his love pressed heavily on her heart.
In the past, she’d always thought Antony’s affection for her was rooted in gratitude—after all, she’d helped him out with a million dollars back in high school. But now, Claire realized the depth of his feelings was far more profound, so profound it felt like a burden she could hardly bear.
Reflecting on her life, Claire realized she’d spent over two decades pouring every ounce of her energy into loving Frederick. She’d given him everything, leaving nothing left for anyone else.
Chapter 392: Be My Brother
And Antony—Antony loved her so deeply, so completely, that she couldn’t bring herself to be with him, not when she had so little left to give.
When Antony returned, cleaned up and looking refreshed, Claire took a deep breath and spoke the words she’d been rehearsing in her mind. “Antony, would you be my brother? I’ve thought about this for a long time, and I think it’s the best outcome for both of us.”
Antony froze, his feet rooted to the ground as if they’d grown into the floor. His hands clenched into fists, the sound of his knuckles cracking echoing in the silence. At that moment, it seemed that the light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by an endless, consuming darkness.
Claire’s heart tightened. She’d never seen Antony like this before—so broken, so utterly shattered.