Chapter 2 Breaking Up on Christmas Eve
1051 Words
Vol.2
Claire turned and went downstairs.
After tonight, Claire would have nothing more to do with Julian.
The snowy night would make the road difficult. She had to leave quickly.
He had no idea about the inside story of the deal between her and his mother. Claire couldn't even blame him. After tonight, she could leave this hired role behind and become a free person.
Claire said nothing. She turned, walked out of the master bedroom, went downstairs, took her suitcase, and walked into the snowstorm without looking back.
The front door slammed shut downstairs.
Julian heard it, but he remained standing at the second-floor window. He watched Claire, thin and frail, drag the huge suitcase out of the villa without looking back once.
She didn't look back at all. She didn't cling to him and plead the way she used to.
She really left just like that.
Of course, a man like him, with an emotional processing disorder and no natural sense of emotional shifts, couldn't possibly feel heartache.
He thought Claire must believe that too.
Otherwise, how could she leave him on Christmas Eve like this, without even giving him a chance to explain?
'You promised we would spend every Christmas Eve together... liar.'
Vol.3
Claire dragged her 32-inch suitcase through the snow, staggering through one uneven drift after another.
Claire lifted a hand and wiped her face. Her breath condensed into white mist in the air. Frost clung to her lashes, blurring even her vision.
Claire stood in the wind and snow as her consciousness began to blur. The feverish heat inside her warred with the brutal cold outside.
She realized that something was very wrong with her body. Most likely, she had a high fever.
Just as she was about to lose the strength to stand, a beam of headlights cut through the snow.
An old taxi slowly stopped in front of her. The window rolled down, revealing a worried-looking cabdriver.
After a brief exchange, she finally managed to catch a ride to the airport.
2.5 hours later, the taxi finally stopped at the departure level of Eastport International Airport.
Claire's limbs had gone weak. She almost crawled out of the car.
She stumbled into the restroom and washed her face with warm water.
When she lifted her head, the woman in the mirror above the sink was deathly pale, her lips cracked. Only her cheeks were flushed with an unhealthy red. She looked sick and worn down.
She braced both hands on the sink and panted with difficulty. With effort, she dug a pill case out of her bag.
Inside were bandages, fever medicine, stomach medicine, and other common medications. In the past, all of these had been prepared for Julian.
She swallowed two fever-reducing tablets dry, then leaned against the wall and rested for a while. Only then did she drag her luggage toward the check-in counter again.
After she got her boarding pass and checked her luggage, she dragged herself toward security. Just then, her phone rang.
The name on the screen was Evelyn Sinclair, better known as Mrs. Prescott, Julian's distinguished and powerful mother.
Claire stared at the name for 2 seconds, took a deep breath, and answered.
"Claire."
Evelyn's gentle voice came through the receiver, elegant and proper as always, carrying the calm composure of someone used to power.
"Mrs. Prescott, I have arrived at the airport as agreed. I will leave today."
Claire set her carry-on beside her feet and leaned against the cold wall, barely supporting her swaying body.
Evelyn gave a soft sigh, as if finally relieved. Then she said lightly, "You have always kept your word."
She laughed softly, her tone carrying the approval of someone looking down from above.
"These past few years, you have done very well."
Claire tightened her grip on the phone. Her chest felt so tight she could barely breathe.
Nothing had ever escaped Evelyn's surveillance.
"Mrs. Prescott, you flatter me." Claire closed her eyes and turned slightly, pressing her forehead against the cold wall. Tears dampened the corners of her eyes. "I only... fulfilled the contract we agreed on."
"Good. You know how to honor a contract. You know what you can ask for and what you should never want."
Claire's throat moved with difficulty. The fever made her eardrums buzz. She forced one syllable out of her throat.
"...Yes."
Evelyn let out a soft breath, and her tone returned to its calm elegance.
"In that case, our contract is officially over. The final payment will be transferred to your account within 24 hours. As for your mother's surgery fee, since you have repaid it with 4 years of service as Julian's companion, the Prescott family won't ask you to pay that money back."
"Thank you... Mrs. Prescott."
"As for Julian, he may be emotional for a while, but I believe he will soon understand that you and he were only suited to be a temporary arrangement. His fiancée should be someone like Vanessa, a daughter from a family of equal standing. Do you understand?"
"I understand... Mrs. Prescott."
"Please don't worry. I will disappear without a trace."
"You are a smart girl," Evelyn was clearly pleased, and there was a trace of delight in her voice. "I wish you a bright future. Remember, never try to contact Julian again, and never mention these 4 years to anyone. Treat it as a job. Now, your shift is over."
The call ended.
She struggled to breathe and felt as if she was about to collapse.
She had sold herself for 4 years. Now, at last, she had redeemed her freedom.
She should have smiled, but tears suddenly surged up without warning. Large, hot drops rolled down uncontrollably.
She thought it must be because of the fever. The pain felt as if her bones were being torn apart, and that had to be why she couldn't control her tears, why she let them overwhelm her.
After crying for a while, she knew she didn't have much time to waste. She had to pull herself together quickly because she still had to pass security and board the flight home.
Claire wiped her tears and turned around. The moment she lifted her eyes, her whole body froze.
A few feet away, Julian stood there without moving.
- Writer
