Chapter 3 Let Go of the Love Obsession
1138 Words
Claudia watched the taillights of Leo’s car fade into the darkness, her emotions too jumbled to laugh or cry. She stood there, dazed, as the night enveloped her.
"Why did you come out here?" Queenie parked and got out of the car. From a distance, she recognized the familiar figure by the roadside and realized it was indeed Claudia.
At the sight of her best friend, Claudia’s pent-up emotions found release. She tilted her head back, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "He left me again to see his ex-girlfriend."
"To hell with him." Queenie was furious. "I told you a long time ago that the two of you weren’t suited for each other. Leo’s eyes never had you in them, but you wouldn’t believe it. You’ve been belittling yourself in this marriage for so many years."
"Leo, that bastard, is really a piece of work. It was supposed to be a business marriage, mutual respect, but what gives him the right to treat you like this? If it weren’t for you, for the Thornhill family, his family would have gone bankrupt ages ago. Where would they be without their current prestige? That ungrateful bastard doesn’t deserve you!" Queenie finished her scolding and then began to persuade Claudia, "To hell with his ex-girlfriend and that scumbag. The sooner you divorce, the better. You're so beautiful, with a good family background, you can find any man you want. You need to ditch that love obsession of yours, pronto!"
Queenie had grown up with Claudia. Both of them were cherished daughters of their families, having grown up with everything they wanted and never facing setbacks.
She had a good life. It's a pity that Claudia, despite her stunning looks, developed a love obsession and somehow fell for Leo, always praising him in college, saying how good and handsome he was. Things were only stable after the car accident.
Queenie continued to badger her, and Claudia felt a wave of helplessness. She playfully reached up to her head, as if grabbing an invisible object, then threw it skyward with a flourish and kicked it away. Turning to Queenie with a radiant smile, she said, "Alright, it’s gone."
Her love obsession, along with her feelings for Leo, was truly gone this time.
*****
When Leo arrived at Susan's house, he was carrying medicine he had just bought from the pharmacy.
Susan had twisted her ankle while showering and was now sitting on the sofa, her white satin nightgown revealing her graceful figure.
"I got the medicine. Let me check your foot." Leo sat down, patting his leg.
Susan placed her leg directly on his lap, looking apologetic. "Sorry for bothering you so late. I have just returned to the country and don't have many friends, so I troubled you."
"Don't mind," Leo replied, taking out some herbal oil, warming it in his hands, and gently massaging Susan’s ankle.
Susan watched him with a warm, passionate gaze. A man like Leo was hard not to love. If it hadn’t been for the Wilson family’s desire to marry into the Thornhill family and the substantial compensation they offered, she wouldn’t have let such a man go so easily.
Three years had passed, and Leo had only become more distinguished. Susan regretted her decision and was determined to win him back, especially since their marriage was essentially a farce.
"By the way, calling you over so late, won't Miss Thornhill be upset?" Susan asked, feigning concern.
Leo’s thoughts were drawn to the image of Claudia with the male model, her wanton look suggesting a hunger he had never satisfied. He frowned, his tone displeased. "Don't worry about her."
"Can you stay over tonight? If it gets worse tomorrow, you could just come with me to the hospital. But if it’s not convenient for you, that’s okay. I’m sure I can manage on my own. I don’t want to cause you any more trouble," Susan said in an effeminate voice.
"It’s fine, it’s not trouble at all. I’ve said before, if you ever need anything, you can come to me, no matter where we stand with each other." This was a promise he had made, and he intended to keep it.
Hearing this, Susan's eyes reddened with emotion.
When Claudia woke up the next day, her headache was gone. She reached under her pillow for her phone to check the time.
It's ten o'clock.
After getting up and washing, Claudia went to the kitchen to make a simple breakfast. It was exquisite and delicious.
She should thank Leo. To fulfill her duties as a wife, she learned cooking, flower arranging, how to take care of him, and how to make him happy.
Claudia had prepared for everything a wife should, but her efforts were for naught when it came down to it. She couldn't even see him, and the meals she sent were usually cold and thrown into the trash.
'Oh right. Last night, that scumbag left me by the roadside to see his ex-girlfriend.' Recalling the incident, Claudia couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
She couldn't stand it for another second, so she skipped breakfast and immediately made a call.
"Hello, Miss Thornhill." Susan's gentle voice came through the receiver.
Claudia couldn't help but frown. When Leo was with her, it was mostly just to blow off steam, and then he'd leave immediately.
At ten in the morning, she had never seen that tall figure. It seemed he was really fond of Susan.
"I'm looking for my husband." Claudia's voice was cold. She didn't believe for a second that Susan hadn't seen the caller ID. She picked up the call knowing it was her, just to get under her skin. She wasn't easy to mess with either.
"Leo is in the shower," Susan answered.
"And then?" Claudia asked.
This rendered Susan speechless.
"What's the big deal about showering? Can't he take a call? Of course, if you don't want to pass the message, I'll call again later."
As soon as Claudia finished speaking, she heard a rustling on the other end, followed by Leo's voice. "Are you trying to give Susan a hard time this early in the morning?"
"I'm not calling for her. I'm calling you." Claudia replied.
"What is it? I’m busy." Leo's tone was cold; he had just returned from the hospital with Susan and still had to go to the office.
Claudia's attitude was equally cold. "I'm busy too, so let's keep it short. See you at the clerk's office at three this afternoon."
"Alright, three o'clock, the clerk's office," Leo replied, hanging up without another word. He turned on his heel and retreated to the guest room to call his lawyer. He wanted to see if she really had the guts to go through with the divorce.
- Writer
