Chapter 3

Someone in the group immediately scoffed.

“Every time she shows up, she kills the mood. We were having so much fun and now it has to end. What a letdown!”

“She’s always had it out for Vanessa. Now she’s even making up excuses to drag Adrian away.”

“Seriously, marrying someone like her just ruins your social life.”

Vanessa slipped off Adrian’s shoulders and patted him lightly, pouting.

“You should probably go check on her. Otherwise she’ll throw another scene.”

Adrian’s expression cooled.

He looked at me like I was the problem.

“What, Claire? You don’t know how to sign your own name?

“You hate seeing me with Vanessa that much you’re making up stories about your parents being dead?

“Even if they were, I wouldn’t go. I have nothing to do with them.

“Go home. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

Something inside me finally went quiet.

All hope has been gone.

I clenched my teeth. “Adrian, this is your last chance. If you don’t go now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

He let out a short laugh, took a sip of his drink, then tapped a bottle of red wine on the table.

“Fine. You want me to go that badly?

“Drink this. All of it. Then beg me.

“If I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll come.”

I stared at him, my eyes burning.

He knew I was allergic to alcohol.

If it weren’t for his parents, if they hadn’t always treated me like their own daughter, if they hadn’t lived and died as national heroes,

I would have walked away right then.

But their bodies were still waiting.

Waiting for a signature.

I picked up the bottle.

“Adrian… you’d better keep your word.”

The wine burned all the way down, like swallowing fire.

The reaction hit almost instantly.

My skin started itching. My chest tightened. I coughed so hard it felt like my lungs were tearing apart.

By the time I finished, my face was flushed bright red, a rash spreading across my skin.

I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Gasping for breath, I forced the words out.

“I drank it. Are you coming now?”

Adrian froze.

He hadn’t expected me to actually do it.

“Claire… you’re allergic. I was just joking. Fine, I’ll go with you...”

Before he could finish, Vanessa’s expression darkened.

“So she really doesn’t trust me, huh?

“She’d go this far just to drag you away?

“She doesn’t understand what we have. Her mind is filthy, so everything looks dirty to her.

“If there was actually something between us, do you think she’d still be standing here?”

She crossed her arms, her tone turning cold.

“Tonight was supposed to make up for you failing to get me that medal.

“You promised you’d stay with me.

“If you walk out now, we’re done.

“Go live your perfect married life with her.”

Someone else chimed in immediately.

“Exactly. Adrian, how many times has this happened? If you give in again, we might as well call you whipped.”

“We’ve known Vanessa for years. Claire’s the only one who can’t stand her. If anyone’s the outsider here, it’s her.”

The hesitation in Adrian’s eyes disappeared.

His face hardened.

“Claire, I owe Vanessa tonight.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.

“Stop making a scene.”

I closed my eyes.

Forced the tears back.

“Fine. I’ve said everything I needed to say.

“When you regret this, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I paused, then looked at him one last time.

“And one more thing.

“I want a divorce.

“I’ll have the papers sent over.

“Sign them, and I’ll disappear from your life for good.”

He frowned, irritation flashing across his face.

“Now you’re threatening me with divorce?

“Don’t come crying back later.”

I didn’t answer.

I just straightened my back, and walked away.

When I returned to the funeral home, Richard had already woken up.

He was on his way.

Even in old age, the authority he carried was overwhelming.

His hair was white, his eyes red as he looked at his son and daughter-in-law one last time.

His hands trembled as he signed the cremation authorization.

From beginning to end, Adrian never showed up.

Richard asked me more than once, “Claire… where is Adrian?”

I pressed my lips together.

“I… he had something to take care of.”

“What could be more important than his own parents?”

He sighed heavily.

“Claire, tell me the truth. Nothing can hurt me more than this already has.”

I had no choice.

I told him everything.

From the rescue,

to the bar,

to everything Adrian had said.

When I finished, Richard slammed his cane against the floor.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

“That ungrateful bastard.

“That animal.

“How did the Cole family, after generations of honor, end up with someone like him?”

He pulled out his phone.

“I’ll call him myself.

“Let’s see if he still dares not to come.”

The call connected.

Loud music blasted through the speaker.

Richard’s face darkened.

“Adrian Cole, you disgrace. Your parents are dead and you’re still out drinking?

“Get here. Now.”