Chapter 5

Back in the hospital room, Claire told her parents about transferring Gordon to another hospital.

Gordon hesitated. He didn't want to burden his daughter, especially when he knew things hadn't been easy for her in the Holt family these past few years.

"Claire..."

Serena spoke up too. "Forget the transfer. Your dad's doing fine here..."

Claire knew exactly what they were worried about.

Feeling guilty, she stepped closer. "I've already contacted a doctor. It's settled, so don't worry about me."

"You..." Serena sounded exasperated, but beneath it was a mix of heartache and warmth.

...

The next morning, a little after ten, Claire packed everything up, completed Gordon's discharge paperwork, and took her parents to the airport.

What she didn't expect was to see Luke, Stella, Bella, and Bella's family outside the terminal.

They had just gotten out of a stretch limousine. Luke stayed close to Bella and Stella, shielding them from the passing traffic as they crossed.

The three of them made such a striking picture that people nearby kept turning to look.

"What an elegant family. I'm jealous."

"Seriously. That man is so thoughtful. He must be a wonderful husband."

"I was thinking the same thing. Look at his wife and daughter. You can tell they're well loved."

Claire's throat tightened.

She watched as they headed toward the private aviation lounge and dug her nails into her palm.

It was obvious they were going back to the capital too.

And Claire knew why.

Luke cared so much about Bella. There was no way he would let her grandmother suffer when he could get her the best medical care available.

As for Claire...

She stopped herself from thinking about it.

What hurt most was realizing how heartless the man she'd loved for so many years could be toward her and her family.

One phone call from Luke could have gotten her father excellent treatment, yet all this time, he hadn't lifted a finger.

Who would have imagined that before they got married, whenever Claire got sick, Luke would rush back to take care of her even if he was away on a school trip?

Claire gave a bitter, self-mocking smile.

It didn't matter.

Soon, all of this would be over.

She looked away and led her parents into the terminal.

Not far away, Stella suddenly stopped and glanced back, confusion filling her large eyes.

Luke noticed.

"What's wrong?"

Stella looked up at him. Worried that Bella might overhear and feel bad, she lowered her voice.

"I think I saw Mommy."

Luke raised an eyebrow but didn't seem particularly interested.

"Did you?"

Stella hesitated and looked back again, but there was no one there.

She relaxed.

"I must've been mistaken."

She had spent the previous evening with Bella and had so much fun eating and playing that she quickly forgot how disappointed she'd been when Claire didn't reply to her message.

In fact, she was almost glad Claire hadn't texted her.

Otherwise, Claire would have asked what she was doing, nagged her, and probably tried to stop her from spending time with Aunt Bella.

Still, when Stella woke up that morning without Claire there to take care of her, she wasn't quite used to it.

But compared with getting to spend time with Aunt Bella, that was something she could tolerate.

After all, Mommy took care of her all the time. Opportunities to be with Aunt Bella were much rarer.

The thought cheered her up again.

"Dad, let's go!"

"Okay."

Luke reached down and ruffled her hair.

...

Their commercial flight took longer, and they didn't arrive in the capital until a little after four that afternoon.

As soon as they landed, Claire took her parents straight to the hospital.

By the time they had registered, seen a doctor, and completed the admission process, it was already six in the evening.

After reviewing Gordon's test results, the doctor still considered his condition serious.

"If you get the chance, I'd recommend having Dr. Vincent Owen take a look at him."

Vincent Owen was one of the leading specialists in leukemia treatment.

That also meant getting an appointment with him wouldn't be easy. It usually took the right connections just to reach him.

Claire's heart dropped a little.

"...Okay."

She made a mental note of the name. After getting her parents settled in their room, she stepped into the hallway with her phone, planning to ask around for Dr. Owen's contact information.

She stood there for a while, looking down at her screen as she considered her options.

Grandpa Walter would probably be the easiest person to ask, but she didn't want to worry him.

Besides, she had already asked him for one favor. She didn't feel right troubling him again so soon.

She had just decided to call a friend when she looked up.

Luke and Bella were walking out of a hospital room.

Bella had clearly been crying. Her eyes were red, and she looked worn out.

Luke gently patted her shoulder, then put an arm around her and let her lean against him. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped away her tears.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "I'll contact another doctor and have them take a look at your grandma."

The color drained from Claire's face.

She stopped where she was, her fingers tightening around her phone.

At the sound of movement, Luke and Bella both looked over.

The moment Bella saw Claire, she hurriedly pulled away from him.

Luke caught her by the wrist instead and turned a cold look on Claire.

"How long are you planning to stand there staring?"

Claire's throat tightened.

"I wasn't—"

Luke's gaze dropped to the phone in her hand.

"Delete the pictures. If this happens again..."

His voice was cold, and he left the threat unfinished.

A chill ran down Claire's back.

She was about to explain when Jade appeared from somewhere nearby and stepped in front of her.

"That's enough, Ms. Chandler. Stop making excuses and upsetting Mr. Holt. Please leave."

Making excuses?

Claire frowned, her face pale.

A sick feeling rose in her stomach as she looked at Jade’s absolute certainty.

Of course.

In Jade's eyes, and probably in the eyes of everyone around Luke, everything Claire did was just another shameless attempt to cling to him.

Luke had probably thought the same thing just now.

He must have assumed she was trying to take pictures of him and Bella so she could use them against him.

In the past, maybe she would have done something desperate to save their marriage. Back then, she still loved him and wanted the three of them to be a happy family again.

But now?

She had already signed the divorce agreement.

Why would she still chase after him?

"Have some self-respect," Jade said impatiently. "Doing things like this will only make Mr. Holt dislike you even more."

Claire's eyes burned, and a faint tremor ran through her shoulders.

She gave Luke one last look but said nothing.

Then she turned and walked away.

There was no point explaining herself now.

Once Luke went home that night and saw the signed divorce agreement in his study, he would understand everything.