Ninety-Nine Punishments for His Love

Chapter 5

Claire carefully sealed the mementos of her past with Ethan in a box and arranged for a courier. In just over ten days, on the wedding day, these packages would be delivered to Arthur.

Claire could imagine how distraught Arthur would be when he received them and realized the woman who'd loved him so deeply had only seen him as a replacement, a duty.

After completing this, Claire carried all the items she shared with Arthur into the courtyard and set them on fire. Flames slowly rose, consuming three years of shared memories.

When Arthur returned, he found the house strangely empty. A pang of panic struck him.

Earlier on the high platform, seeing Claire's legs trembling from acrophobia, Arthur had immediately regretted it. He'd wanted to pull her down, hold her, and tell her it was okay.

But remembering Claire's recent indifference made him resentful. The old Claire would have thrown jealous fits whenever she saw him with Julie.

Now, however, she seemed like she didn't care about anything anymore. So he'd decided to teach her a lesson.

His plan was simple: after the fake wedding, after the 100th punishment, he'd make it up to her, really being good to her.

He even considered giving her a real wedding. After all, she loved him desperately.

Yet returning home to this emptiness unsettled him.

When questioned, Claire explained that they needed new things for their marriage. Only then did Arthur relax.

Affecting indifference, as if making some grand concession, he said, "You win. After ninety-nine punishments, I'll marry you. Happy now?"

Claire lowered her eyes, then finally asked, "Arthur, just tell me. Why do you love Julie so much?" Enough to punish her ninety-nine times for that woman? To trick her into marriage? Enough to repeatedly grind her love and dignity into the dirt?

Arthur froze. After a long pause, he replied, "Three years ago at the border, I was caught in an avalanche. Julie risked her life to save me! And during my heart transplant, she pulled strings to get the top cardiac surgeon! Without Julie, I'd be dead many times over!"

Claire stiffened, whirling to face him, her heart clenching violently.

So that was it! He credited everything to Julie!

Three years ago, during border medical duty, she'd rescued Arthur from that avalanche! Completing the rescue, she'd left for other emergencies. Unbeknownst to her, Julie had arrived later and stolen the credit for saving him!

Afterward, it was Claire who, to fulfill Ethan's last wish, decisively left the border medical team and came to Arthur's side. She personally arranged for a leading domestic cardiologist to perform the surgery, ensuring Arthur's successful operation!

Yet, to her shock, Arthur had credited all of this to Julie!

Now that she was about to leave, Claire had no intention of explaining further.

At that moment, Arthur's phone rang. It was Julie calling.

After hanging up, Arthur said coldly, "Julie isn't feeling well and wants to eat your handmade dumplings. Go cook some and bring them over."

Arthur had always been particular about food. Every dumpling in the fridge was handmade by Claire, using the finest meat, painstakingly minced, seasoned, and wrapped.

Now, all of it had become just a way to please Julie.

It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt.

Claire lowered her head and agreed.

Once the dumplings were cooked, Arthur drove them both to Julie's home.

Afraid the dumplings would cool, Arthur parked downstairs and had Claire go up first.

When the door opened, Julie's complexion was perfect, radiant. Nothing wrong with her at all.

She sneered at Claire, "Three years by Arthur's side. And what's it gotten you? One word from me, and you come running like a dog."