Chapter 5

Clara stiffened and turned to see Luther standing in the doorway, holding a bag of toys.

"Stop making a fuss, Clara. Every time we fight, you threaten to leave. You can't teach our daughter such a bad habit. Once Sean is all better, it'd be nice for all of us to live together."

The way he said it was as casual as discussing dinner plans.

Clara found it laughable. What made him think she would still be willing to accept his mistress and their child?

Luther strode over and stuffed the bag into Niamh's hands. "I do love you. Look, I got you a present."

It was a high-end toy brand sold at luxury stores in Saturne. Clara had bought plenty of its toys for Sean over the years. She recognized immediately that Niamh had received a free gift.

Clara smiled mockingly to herself. Perhaps she had grown used to it by now.

She was used to Luther constantly claiming to love her while carrying on with Monica behind her back. She was used to him wanting to make it up to Niamh, only to toss her a freebie.

She picked up the bag of building blocks and threw it straight into the trash.

"Niamh has been weak ever since her bone marrow extraction. Have you ever once shown any concern as her father? And you're a CEO, for God's sake. Who are you trying to insult here, giving her a freebie as a present?"

Luther looked rather embarrassed at Clara's sarcasm. "I don't know much about these things. I asked Monica to pick something out for me. She didn't do it on purpose. How about this? I'll take Niamh to the amusement park tomorrow to make it up to her."

Clara had wanted to refuse, but seeing the glint in Niamh's eyes, she swallowed the words.

Early the next morning, Luther parked his car outside the hospital. Clara noticed Monica and Sean were already sitting inside.

"Sean's been sick for some time. He wants to get some fresh air, too. Come on, hop in."

Knowing Luther wouldn't change his mind, Clara had no choice but to get into the car with Niamh.

Throughout the drive, she listened to Luther and Monica laughing and teasing each other. She remained silent the entire time, staring out the window.

When they arrived at the amusement park, Niamh looked around excitedly at a place she had never been.

When Luther returned with fried chicken and soda, Monica immediately shook her head at Niamh.

"You'll be donating bone marrow to Sean after this. You can't eat that. And you can't go on any of these rides, either. I'm just looking out for you, okay?"

Clara could no longer hold back. She stood up at once. "She's been eating bland food all this time, Monica! She's even thinner now than when she first arrived!"

Luther quickly grabbed her arm. "Why are you flipping out again? Monica's only doing what's best for her."

Sick of this bizarre atmosphere, Clara grabbed her bag and headed straight for the restaurant counter. "I'll buy it for her myself."

She had just paid when Monica caught up. "You're harder to deal with than I expected, Clara. Why don't you take a look at this, too?"

Monica chuckled and pulled up a photo. It was a marriage certificate with Luther and Monica's names on it.

"To make sure no one would call our son a bastard, he secretly divorced you long ago. Turns out you're the other woman, and your daughter is the bastard."

Clara should've been heartbroken by the revelation, but she felt nothing.

Whatever Luther did or whoever he wanted to marry had nothing to do with her anymore. Monica could keep that piece of trash for herself all she wanted. Clara couldn't be bothered to fight over him.

Clara looked up and responded calmly, "Is that so? Then congratulations, Mrs. Tanner. Now move. I'm going back to my daughter."

Monica hadn't expected that reaction. Seeing that Clara was about to leave, she grabbed her wrist.

"How did I never realize you were so good at tolerating things? Your husband is no longer yours alone, while your daughter gets mistreated, yet somehow, you still cower like a turtle hiding in its shell!

"Then again, it's true that you can't live without Luther. Is that why you're acting ignorant to hold on to this marriage? That's not going to work. I'm going to drive you out of it one way or another!"

Monica seized Clara's wrist and violently slammed the hand holding the soda bottle against her own head. The glass shattered the moment it struck, and Luther turned at the noise.

Seeing Monica lying in a pool of blood, he roared, "You're sick, Clara!"