Chapter 6

6

Cole's mouth fell agape in sheer astonishment. This definitely has to be a doppelganger of Claire.

Otherwise his best friend's wife was timid and mute. She barely opened her mouth to speak. And even if she was slandered, she found it was better to meet them with silence than to retort.

"What? Is something on my face?" Claire asked with a grin.

Cole nodded his head as he confessed, "You have become fierce. I like this side of you."

"Thanks. I had to become outspoken for the sake of my marriage. I have to save Hunter and my relation, Cole. And I will need your help with it."

"I am always here for you two, Claire. Just let me know how I can help." He liked her spirit.

"Okay, listen to me," She held his gaze. "I want to gather information on Zara. Cole, I feel that her return is deliberate and that her husband's death is not natural."

Cole's back stiffened. His eyebrows knitted together as he suppressed himself from looking disappointed. 

"I get your point about saving your marriage, Claire. But I think you're judging Zara wrong. I hung out with her when she was dating Hunter. She's a pure soul. Zara can't even hurt a fly let alone break your marriage." 

"I want to believe that too. That's why I need your help. I want you to help me get her information, Cole." 

"I don't think I can help here, Claire." Cole shook his head apologetically. "I know Zara and I know you as well. You both are struggling in your lives and the cause of your hardship is one and the same man. You must talk to Hunter and sort things out. I don't want to become a part of this where Zara is concerned." 

"Are you saying this because of your friendship with Hunter?"

"That too, and also because I know Zara. She's innocent, Claire. I don't think she could kill her husband to be with Hunter. Your fears are justified but it's a ridiculous guess." He got up with a cringe face, not happy with Claire's perspective. 

"If she wanted to be with him then she could have him two years ago by refusing her marriage with her fiance. Hunter would have crossed seven seas to make her his. But she didn't and quietly proceeded with her marriage. Try to see logic here. Zara is not behind your miseries. Your own husband is."

Claire stared at her hands in her lap. Maybe Cole was stating the facts. 

However, he was not married to someone. He didn't know the pain of losing his significant other half. 

He didn't have to fear an old lover who made a stunning return on his marriage anniversary. It wasn't his marriage dangling on the precipice.

On the contrary, Claire was tolerating more than she could. Her sixth sense told her Zara had more layers to her face. Even if she didn't, she would soon know. 

"Thanks for coming to meet me, Cole. I will always remember this. But I will do what I have to do." She rose while bearing his gaze. 

"Then good luck with it. However, if Hunter gets pissed off and does something crazy to you. I hope you won't blame him or anyone else. I already warned you." His brows creased. "Zara is very humble and down to earth. You will find nothing negative about her because she has none." 

With that he departed with a frown that made Claire realize she lost a friend. 

Although she took note of Cole's words regarding Zara seriously, she reached out to a friend from her school, Monty. He was a professional detective and mastered the art of gathering information even if it was buried five layers inside earth.

"Hi Claire, I saw the news on the internet. I'm sorry you have to go through that." Monty said. 

"It's nothing. Don't worry about that. I will handle it." 

"I always liked your spirit, Claire. You are a strong woman and you will go very far in life with your perseverant behavior." Monty was always team Claire. 

Without wasting time, Claire told her doubts, "I just want to save my marriage, Monty. I will go to any limit to hold onto my husband. Which is why I need your help." 

After a long sigh Monty replied, "I'm in, buddy. I always wanted to work with you. But due to our poles apart profession I dropped the desire. It will feel good to be working for you." 

Claire thanked him. After hanging up, she decided to visit her parents to take them in confidence. 

Her father was reading some documents in the living room while her mother was in the kitchen when she arrived. Scott took their father's car to college since she took his in the early morning. 

"Claire," Dominic's body stiffened when he noticed her. 

He left his papers on the table to get up and engulf her in a hug. Since he almost yelled her name, her mother also came running to them. 

"Oh baby, it's good to see you back home." Andrea said emotionally. 

They settled on the couch with Claire in the middle while her parents sat on her side. The way they glanced at her made her nervous. 

The Argents were the second most wealthiest family in Bloomcrest while the MacIntyres were the first. 

But what made them outstand the MacIntyres in terms of possession was love. The Argents loved each other and cared deeply. Their family was one full of culture and happiness. All the uncles and aunts, and cousins lived joyfully like they were cut from the same piece of cloth. 

On the contrary, the MacIntyres were scattered. They hardly met each other. If family dinners were to be conducted, they have to go through their secretaries respectively to reach out to each other and make an appointment for the same. 

That's why, when Claire expressed her feelings for the cold and emotionless middle grandson of Mr. Thomson MacIntyre after his proposal came, Dominic told her to think twice. Their family didn't know the meaning of unity. They were like the coins in a chess board which moved according to rules and conditions. 

"I'm sorry for scaring you yesterday." Claire rested her head on her father's shoulder. 

In response her father kissed her hands while her mother hugged her. It wasn't her fault that her husband came out as a jerk. 

She told them about wanting to stay in the marriage with Hunter. Her parents stared at each other as they could see she was refusing to believe it. Even though it was in front of her eyes.

Her husband was gone. 

They stayed quiet and listened to her. They brought her up with values that she must not give up in life. She was taught to be a Victor no matter what. Alas, she was trying it in the wrong place. They didn't correct her. 

When it was time for her to depart Dominic caressed her head and said, "This house is yours, darling. Don't ever hesitate to come back." 

"Why would I come back? I have my own house with my husband." She said with a chuckle, making her parents' face twist with a forced smile. 

'You can't refuse it for long, Claire. You know it's over. I hope you understand that soon.' Her parents thoughts to themselves. 

She then took her leave. Nevertheless, just as she stepped out of their mansion, she discovered a bunch of journalists with mic and camera men gathering around the gate of Argent mansion. The three security guards tried to keep them at bay.

'Zara Levine, you think you're smart enough! Let me show you the mirror.' She mused while strutting towards the crowd with her head held high. 

Tbc...