Chapter 5 Toxic Relationship

CLAIRE

As I opened my eyes, I saw Matthew holding Charles' hand in the air. His eagle-sharp eyes stared at Charles like his prey. "I can just as easily destroy Ashford Group as destroy your last name."

Charles laughed. He then looked at me. That soft looking face, anyone if they saw it, would definitely think that he was a good guy, in fact he was very cruel.

"Wait, have we met before?" Charles asked in a condescending tone.

"Matthew Alaric Kingsley," Matthew replied firmly, not flinching in the slightest.

"Matthew who was once rejected by Claire? Ah, I remember you. You're just the kid who used to get a scholarship to continue high school." Charles then dismissed Matthew's hand. He chuckled mockingly.

As for Matthew, he looked very calm. It was as if Charles' words didn't bother him at all.

In fact, what Charles said was the truth. Matthew was indeed a child who went to school on a scholarship because I heard he came from a family that was quite difficult.

But that doesn't mean it's worth bringing up now especially in a situation like this. Because there is nothing wrong with getting a scholarship for education especially for a child as smart as Matthew.

I also thought Matthew would reply to Charles after thinking carefully. Instead, he took out a business card from his coat pocket.

He raised the shiny black business card to Charles' eye level. Then Charles grabbed it and looked at it closely, more closely.

"The high school boy you are referring to is no longer the same, Mr. Ashford."

"Director of Obsidian Enterprises? Huh, you're a director? That can't be. This card must have been made by you to brag to everyone you meet." Charles threw the card on the floor.

Meanwhile, Matthew calmly straightened his suit. He picked up the card and placed it on the table beside the gurney. "It's not my job to make you believe, Mr. Ashford."

But if that was true, it meant that Matthew controlled the largest company in New York today. A company even bigger than the Charles family's.

And somehow I really believe Matthew is being honest this time. Given his track record, he's not the type to lie and is always true to what he says.

The question is, how come? How is it that in a few years of disappearance, less than 10 years, he was able to lead such a big company?

Connections? Or is it because of his skill?

"It turns out that besides being pathetic, you also like to lie," Charles said sharply. Then he pushed Matthew away and approached me again.

Again right before Charles could touch me, Matthew managed to stop him. This time he stuck his arm between me and Charles.

"Why did Claire miscarry?" Matthew asked coldly.

I didn't expect Charles to chuckle, not sad like I imagined. "Because she was stubborn. She was too emotional and stressed out and ended up miscarrying. That's how it happened. Right, Claire?"

I was dumbfounded by Charles' explanation. That wasn't true at all. He was clearly the one who caused me so much stress after he brought Eva home to us.

What Charles said was completely far from the truth. Either he wanted to cover up his mistake or he didn't realize that his actions were hurting me. I couldn't tell the difference.

"Why is she so emotional?" Matthew asked again.

Charles chuckled. "Because of what else? Of course because she's a jealous person. She's jealous that I'm helping my best friend."

"Helping in what way and like what?" Matthew asked again probingly.

"Letting her stay in our house for a while because she was heavily pregnant and was kicked out by her husband. That's all. But Claire overreacted. And what is this? Even after the miscarriage she's already cheated with another man? Tsk. Unbelievable."

The unexpected thing happened where Matthew punched Charles in the face.

Oh, I was wrong. It turned out that Charles did not intend to cover up his mistake. He was actually proud. That's amazing. There was no shame at all.

Charles wanted to hit Matthew back but Matthew managed to dodge so that his punch was wasted in the air.

"You bastard! What's your problem, huh?"

Matthew raised one eyebrow. "I don't understand why your intelligence keeps dropping over the years, Mr. Ashford."

"What do you mean!" snapped Charles.

Matthew shook his head and chuckled. "Your wife, ah I mean, Claire, she's pregnant too. Then you bring that other pregnant woman you call your best friend, into your home. If you were in your right mind, you wouldn't have done that. Since you did, then that means you're not completely sane, Mr. Ashford."

"Matt, enough," I interrupted. However, even if what he said was true, making Charles realize it now was pointless. Instead, he accused me and Matthew of having an affair.

And sure enough, Charles pointed a finger at me. "I explained to you that she's my best friend who's in a slump. But what is this? You don't believe me? Fine if this is what you want. Go home alone, I can't drive you. I have to wait for Eva."

I lowered my legs and chased after Charles. I grabbed his arm but he brushed my hand away. "Charlie, please don't go. I need you to stay with me here."

I didn't expect Charles to spit. "What do you need me for? Your lover, the man who's crazy about you, is already here."

And with that he left.

Without any guilt. Without turning to me again.

"I didn't have an affair," I said softly. And then my tears spilled out unbidden.

Why was I the one accused of betrayal when he was the one who clearly showed signs of it?

My meeting with Matthew was an accident. I didn't plan it let alone ask him to stay. Unlike what he did, asking Eva to stay consciously.

I really hate questioning my position. I'm his wife but why does he prefer his best friend?

"Get up, Claire. Let's go back to your bed."

I swatted Matthew's hand away roughly. "This is because of you! Charles left because you were here. Now he's accusing me of cheating on him."

My tears flowed even harder. I shouldn't be crying in this condition. But this really hurts. Being misunderstood and accused of something I didn't do.

Instead of leaving, Matthew squatted down beside me. He took out his handkerchief and handed it to me.

I didn't take it. And he didn't move an inch either.

"This may sound painful, Claire. But a man would never hurt a woman he loves. Unless he doesn't really love her."

"He loves me," I thought. Inside, though, I was beginning to doubt myself.

"I don't see it that way. And about that friend he's talking about, do you really believe that the child she's carrying isn't Charles'?"

I slapped Matthew. "Don't try to influence me, Matt."

Matthew let out a harsh sigh. He wiped away my tears with his handkerchief despite my rebellion. He held both my hands tightly during the process.

"Your relationship is not healthy anymore. Just divorce with Charles. You deserve a better person, life, and love.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What exactly do you want?”

“Divorce him. Marry me instead.”