Chapter 6

"Elliot, have you lost your mind?!"

Claire's mom had always treated him like family.

Even when money was tight, the second she found out his father beat him, she told Claire to bring him home.

She gave him a place to stay.

The day Aubrey died, Claire cried until she almost collapsed.

Elliot stayed by her side, his eyes red, and made a promise at her grave.

"Mrs. Carlisle, I swear I'll take good care of Claire."

Now he was using Aubrey's grave to threaten her.

It felt like someone had torn Claire's heart out.

A deep, icy chill spread through her body, and she couldn't stop shaking.

"Still can't decide?"

Elliot casually raised a finger.

Randy got the message. He sent a text, and one of the workers on-screen lifted a sledgehammer.

Bang!

Half of Aubrey's smiling face shattered across the headstone.

"Stop!"

Claire screamed until her voice went raw, blood filling her mouth.

"I'll do it... Elliot, please... don't touch my mom..."

Fighting through the pain, she looked up at Jovie.

"Jovie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kicked you. It was all my fault..."

Jovie sniffled, her voice still thick with tears.

"Elliot, is that enough?

"She kicked me in front of everyone. Don't I get to kick her back?"

Claire's eyes flew wide.

But Elliot only patted Jovie's head.

"As long as it makes you feel better, do whatever you want.

"I just assigned a team of bodyguards to protect you. From now on, anyone who hurts you pays.

"This is a good chance to test them."

Elliot gave a small wave.

The bodyguards moved.

Several men in black grabbed Claire before she could react.

One of the taller guards drove a vicious kick straight into her stomach.

Pain exploded through her body.

Her vision went black.

She was already hanging by a thread.

She couldn't take another hit.

A mouthful of blood sprayed from her lips.

Bright red stains spread across the front of her clothes.

Elliot's expression changed.

He rushed over, caught Claire before she hit the floor, and stared at the blood on her lips.

"What happened?!"

He spun on the bodyguards.

"I told you to fake it! Who told you to hit her that hard?"

The bodyguards immediately dropped their heads.

"Mr. Paulson, we—"

Elliot didn't hear another word.

Claire lay limp in his arms, blood spilling from her mouth again and again. Her face was ghost-white.

She weighed almost nothing.

Like there was nothing left but skin and bone.

"Get the car! Now!"

"Take Claire to the hospital!"

He pulled her closer, his voice shaking.

"Don't be scared. I'm here. You're going to be okay...

"I just wanted you to stop fighting me. I just wanted you to behave.

"How did this happen...?"

After two years of endless fighting, it was the first time Claire had ever seen him look truly terrified.

Claire tasted blood in her throat.

She forced a mocking smile.

Then Jovie accidentally knocked Claire's bag to the floor.

She gasped.

"Ms. Carlisle... why are there so many blood bags in your bag?"

Elliot froze.

His eyes locked on the blood bags scattered across the floor.

The family doctor Elliot had called over stepped forward and shot Jovie a quick glance before kneeling beside Claire. After a brief examination, he hesitated.

"Mr. Paulson... Ms. Carlisle doesn't appear to be seriously injured. It looks like she just has a bad cold..."

Elliot went completely still.

The fear and worry in his eyes disappeared, replaced by cold fury.

"So... you lied to me?"

He shoved Claire away and let out a harsh laugh.

"First you make trouble. Then you attack people. Now you're faking coughing up blood to make me feel sorry for you.

"You just keep coming up with new tricks.

"You really think this gets you out of being punished?"

His voice grew louder with every word.

It echoed in Claire's ears.

Dizzy and barely conscious, Claire couldn't open her mouth without coughing up blood.

She fought to get the words out.

"I didn't... Elliot... I'm dying—"

"Enough!"

Elliot's shout cut her off.

"If you love putting on a show so much, take your act outside.

"Take her to the mountains.

"Let's see who she performs for."

Claire didn't have the strength to fight back.

They dragged her into a car.

Then dumped her on a deserted mountain.

The night was pitch-black.

Freezing wind tore across the mountain.

Before long, Claire couldn't feel her body anymore.

The pain in her stomach got worse by the second.

Every breath felt like it was ripping her apart.

Her vision blurred.

With the last of her strength, she blindly called a number.

Before she could ask for help, a lazy laugh came through the phone.

"Elliot, Claire's calling me.

"The divorce is official today. I'm done pretending."

He made sure Claire heard every word.

"But honestly... she's exactly my type.

"If you don't love her anymore, why not let me have some fun with her?"

Elliot still sounded furious.

"Fine.

"Claire, you've got nothing left now. If you come back and apologize within two hours, I'll let you stay with him."

The call ended.

Claire stared at the faint glow of her phone.

Only one thought filled her mind.

The divorce was final.

She and Elliot...

Were strangers now.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

A tear slipped down her cheek as blood spilled from her mouth.

There wouldn't be an after this.

She was dying.

[Elliot Paulson... I hope I never see you again.]