Keiran wrapped his arms around Claudette from behind, breaking her thoughts with his sudden warmth. “It’s been ages since we felt close like this. I miss it.”
Claudette instinctively shifted away, and at last, Keiran seemed to catch on. “Why have you been so distant lately, not even letting me near you? Have you met someone else?”
Seeing the accusation flash in his eyes, Claudette almost laughed. Here he was, the one betraying her, yet he dared to act like the wounded one.
“You’re reading too much into things. I’m just tired. Still haven’t quite adjusted after the trip.”
Keiran’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, each alert followed by some flimsy excuse, a quick trip to his study, another urgent call.
Claudette watched him slip away each time, clearly messaging Corinne. “They’re planning a get-together. I won’t be long.”
Feigning understanding, Claudette urged him on, watching as he left. The moment he was gone, she headed to the bathroom, scrubbing at her skin where his touch lingered, each swipe of the soap an attempt to erase the lingering ache.
As expected, he never returned. The next morning, his assistant’s call was all too familiar, saying he had too much to drink and stayed at a hotel, so she did not need to worry.
The next morning, Claudette opened her phone to a message from Corinne, complete with two photos. One captured Keiran cradling Corinne, a sickeningly tender moment. The other displayed a gleaming necklace, a gift from him to Corinne.
[See this, old woman? This necklace is Keiran’s way of apologizing to me. What’s the point in keeping him around when his heart’s clearly mine?]
Yet Claudette’s gaze lingered not on the woman in his arms but on that necklace, its emblem unmistakable. It was from the “Love” collection, the very line Keiran had chosen for his first gift to her back when he took over the family business.
Claudette had always admired the brand's designs, and to her, "Love" had symbolized everything their relationship stood for. Keiran had even bought the entire line, placing it under her name to ensure it was hers alone.
But now, the "Love" necklace hung around another woman’s neck, its significance shattered. What had once been her exclusive symbol of their love was now tainted. She had once intended to keep it as a reminder of their bond, but now, it seemed more like a bitter memory.
With a quiet resolve, she pulled out the custom pieces she had left, and without hesitation, sold them all.
The countdown had begun.
Three days left.
Lately, whenever Keiran returned home, it seemed that more and more of Claudette’s things were gone. The house, once filled with her presence, now only echoed with the things he had bought. Each day, his unease grew as if he could feel the emptiness creeping in around him.
Keiran had been anxious ever since Claudette had disappeared once before. He handed over his company responsibilities to avoid another repeat of that nightmare. He instructed his staff to leave him be unless absolutely necessary.
One quiet morning, the sound of clanging dishes echoed through the house. At first, Claudette thought there was an intruder, but when she entered the kitchen, she found Keiran cooking.
“You’re up! Breakfast’s nearly ready. Just sit tight for a minute; your royal meal will be served soon, courtesy of your knight in shining armor.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
Her simple words froze him in his tracks.
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head and returned to his task, clearly lost in thought.
Perhaps it was guilt or some attempt to make amends. Still, Keiran surprised her later by taking her to an amusement park.
