Chapter 4 A Harsh Unveiling
610 Words
"You almost became a mother, you know. My son's just 10 years old. How could you possibly twist that to accuse me?"
Hunter hauled Claire up, his voice sharp, "Forget it. Juliet's out of her mind. You don't owe her any explanations!"
Ignoring his words, I clung to Hunter's arm, my gaze fierce.
"You don't believe me? Then dare you come with me to see my mother's remains?"
Hunter hesitated, finally sitting on my bed, his fingers lightly brushing over my bruised wrist. A flicker of remorse danced in his eyes.
His touch, although soft, sent chills down my spine as his words cut deeper.
"Juliet, Mrs. Foster's beyond your reach now. I've already arranged for her cremation."
My mind swirled, a roaring filled my ears, my chest tightening with every word.
"Hunter, you monster! She was my mother. How could you make those choices for me?"
Hunter stayed silent, while Claire looked on with feigned innocence.
"Juliet, it was my belief you couldn't handle the trauma of seeing her, so I convinced Prof. Miller to sign off. I just wanted to protect you. Was I wrong?"
Fury blazed in my eyes as I regarded Claire, wanting nothing more than to tear her to pieces!
I lunged at her, delivering a sharp slap that left her cheek a bright shade of red.
"Who allowed you to interfere with my mother? Who do you think you are?"
Hunter quickly moved Claire behind him, shielding her, and retaliated by slapping me in her defense.
I cradled my bruised face, stunned, as I stared at Hunter.
That was the man who once vowed to my mother, on bended knee, that he would cherish and safeguard me forever. Yet now, he was raising his hand to defend the person who had a hand in my mother's demise!
"Juliet, Claire's only looking out for you! How dare you disrespect her? If you don't apologize to Claire today, I'll break off our engagement. We haven't even secured our marriage license yet!"
Tears blurred my vision as I gazed at Hunter, a cold void swelling within me.
That was the man my mother sacrificed for, forgoing her own comforts just to help him rise.
That was the man I had loved with unwavering faith, surrendering all my emotions and trust.
I had been blind, and utterly mistaken!
I had inadvertently invited ruin upon my own mother.
I locked eyes with Hunter, my stare as icy as my heart.
"Don't use marriage as your leverage. I will not wed the man who shattered my mother's life. Hunter, you don't get to call this off! I'm the one who's walking away! We are finished!"
With determined force, I tore off the engagement ring he'd gifted me and tossed it at him with all the strength I could muster.
It clattered to the floor, and I stomped on it repeatedly.
Hunter watched in shock, struggling to comprehend that the woman who had followed him loyally for years, always bending to his whims, was now turning her back on him with such finality.
He reached to seize my hand, but I shook him off aggressively.
Suppressing the hurt that clawed at me, I dashed out of the house.
All I wanted was to retrieve my mother's remains and bring her home.
I made the long journey holding the urn close to my heart, feeling her warmth slowly dissipate, and wept until I was nearly dry.
But when I opened my front door, a wave of fury surged through me.
Hunter had allowed Claire and her child into our home, transforming the place my mother and I had treasured into utter disorder.
- Writer
