Claudine’s strange reaction made Elliot feel uneasy. Could she already know about him and Maeve?
But before she could say a word, a loud commotion came from outside.
“Mr. Graves! Mrs. Melvin passed out again!”
Elliot rushed out as fast as he could.
He cradled Maeve’s unconscious body tightly, his eyes filled with panic and fury.
“Call the doctor! What are you all standing around for?”
The hallway broke into chaos. Soon, Elliot sat at Maeve’s bedside, his face heavy with worry as he fired questions at the doctor.
“You told me she'd be fine as long as she took the medicine. Why did she faint again?”
The doctor, however, was all smiles.
“Congratulations, Mr. Graves—Mrs. Maeve is pregnant. She’s about two months along!”
Claudine froze for a moment. Maeve and Melvin had only been married for half a month and she had once accidentally seen Melvin's medical report—he had azoospermia, meaning he would never be able to have children.
So, the baby Maeve was carrying… It didn’t take a genius to guess whose it was.
Mrs. Graves rushed over, clutching Maeve’s hand with excitement, showering her with comfort and praise.
Elliot’s face lit up, unable to hide the joy in his eyes. He and Maeve shared a look so intimate, it might as well have been silk threads drawing them together.
Claudine closed her eyes, face numb and turned to leave.
But Maeve called out behind her.
“Claudine, aren’t you happy for me? I’m pregnant.”
Maeve looked at her, half-smiling with smug amusement.
Claudine opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Mrs. Graves shot her a sharp, scornful look.
“What’s with that face? Can’t have kids yourself and now you’re upset Maeve’s pregnant? Even a hen lays eggs eventually.”
“Maeve’s the capable one here—barely married a few weeks and already expecting. Not like you, always bringing bad luck. Got your own parents killed and now you've lost a child too, leaving the Graves Family without an heir. You’re absolutely useless.”
Claudine had grown used to Mrs. Graves’ constant jabs, but this time, her eyes drifted slowly to Elliot.
He didn’t say a word.
Didn’t stop them.
Didn’t defend her.
Just watched in silence.
“It’s okay, Claudine,” Maeve added, voice sugar-sweet. “I know you’re still grieving your loss. Here, take this bracelet— consider this a gift for your child.”
At that moment, Claudine finally noticed—the only heirloom her mother had left her, the bracelet, was now in Maeve’s hands.
Her pupils dilated in shock. She stepped forward on instinct to grab it, but Elliot shoved her back with force.
“Claudine, be reasonable. Maeve’s pregnant now. It’s just a bracelet. I’ll buy you another one—heck, I’ll buy you a few.”
She staggered backward, staring at Elliot with disbelief.
He knew.
He knew what that bracelet meant to her.
Elliot looked away, guilt flickering across his face.
“You know how much it means to me, don’t you?” Claudine’s voice cracked. “It was the last thing my mother left me!”
Her eyes burned red as she screamed, voice hoarse with fury.
She could endure everything else—but not this.
“Ugh, a keepsake? How morbid.” Maeve sneered, peeling the silver bracelet off her wrist with exaggerated disgust.
With a loud crack, she let it fall to the floor, where it shattered into jagged pieces.
“Claudine, that’s enough! You’re being completely out of line!” Elliot roared.
She knelt down, trembling hands gathering the shards, her eyes wide with disbelief.
This was the first time Elliot had ever raised his voice at her—for Maeve’s sake.
“For now, stay away from Maeve. You need to reflect on your behavior.”
He turned to the staff.
“Take her to her room. No one lets her out unless I say so.”
Claudine clenched her fists until her nails pierced her palms, the sharp pain the only thing anchoring her to reality.
“Don’t touch me!”
She yanked her arm away and walked off without looking back.
She was done with all of it.
