Chapter 5

With Elliot there to back her up, Jovie's eyes filled with tears.

"Elliot, I'm the one who'll be by your side from now on. I just wanted to meet your friends and congratulate Ms. Sandford. I didn't think Ms. Carlisle would hate me this much...

"I know what we have isn't exactly honorable, but I don't love you any less than she does. If I'd met you back then, I would've struggled through those years with you too.

"But if Ms. Carlisle can't stand me, I'll go."

She wiped her tears and turned to leave.

Pity flashed across Elliot's face as he pulled Jovie back into his arms.

Then he looked at Claire, his eyes ice-cold.

"Claire, you behaved for a few days, and now you're starting trouble again?

"Jovie only came with me. She didn't mean anything by it. Why do you keep going after her? Apologize."

He didn't ask a single question.

He'd already decided Claire was guilty.

Zoe hitched up her skirt and stepped forward, ready to explode, but Claire gently stopped her.

"You want an apology? Fine."

Under everyone's stare, Claire walked over.

A smug smile had just started to spread across Jovie's face when Claire lifted her foot—

And kicked her straight down the steps.

"Ah!"

Jovie tumbled down the steps and hit the ground with a sickening thud.

Blood poured from her forehead as she crumpled at the bottom.

Claire didn't even blink.

She turned to Elliot, perfectly calm.

"Mr. Paulson, she framed me before by pretending I pushed her down the stairs.

"But this time, I really did kick her.

"I'm sorry. Happy now?"

Elliot rushed down, scooped Jovie into his arms, and glared at Claire.

"You've completely lost your mind!"

Claire had seen that look a thousand times.

Once, it had shattered her.

She'd questioned it. Agonized over it. Lost sleep because of it.

Now?

It felt good.

Jovie let out a weak moan.

The rage vanished from Elliot's face, replaced by panic. He scooped her up and rushed out.

Once Zoe snapped out of her shock, she looked downright satisfied.

"Cross every Paulson off the guest list. Starting today, Sandford Corp is done doing business with Paulson Corp."

With Zoe standing up for her, some of the ice around Claire's heart finally melted.

As the ceremony began, Claire watched Zoe walk beneath the bright lights and exchange rings with her groom.

She smiled and clapped, hiding the tears in her eyes.

After the wedding, she handed a letter to Zoe's assistant.

"If Zoe ever can't reach me, give her this.

"Tell her not to be sad."

Claire opened the Notes app and stared at the last item on her bucket list.

[Visit Mom.]

***

At the cemetery, Claire placed a bouquet of white roses in front of Aubrey's grave.

"Mom, I won't be able to visit anymore. But I'll be with you soon. Just wait a little longer."

She braced her hands on her knees and started to stand.

Then pain exploded at the back of her neck.

Before she could scream, everything went black.

She woke to a bucket of ice water crashing over her head.

Weak and shaking, she coughed hard and forced herself to look up.

Elliot sat on the couch across from her.

Jovie sobbed in his arms. His face was full of concern for her.

But when he looked at Claire, his eyes turned cold.

"Claire, you kicked Jovie down the stairs and could leave a permanent scar on her forehead. You're acting more and more like a complete psycho.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize properly and beg her to forgive you."

Curled up on the floor, Claire almost laughed.

"Apologize? Beg?

"Who does she think she is?

"She's not worth either."

Claire forced herself to her feet.

"You call me a psycho, but you kidnapped me. How does that make you any better?"

She froze.

Randy was holding up a tablet.

On the screen, several workers stood around Aubrey's headstone, shovels in hand.

Elliot's voice was cold enough to freeze the room.

"You're right. I'm not a good person.

"You've been with me long enough to know exactly what I'm capable of.

"You don't want to apologize? Fine.

"But in the next second, your mother's grave will be gone."