Dared to love のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 31 - チャプター 40

Lorraine was shocked when she saw her husband. The night before, she had hurriedly left his house, leaving only a letter by his bedside, trying to save face. She had hoped he would be busy with work or a business trip as he usually was, so she wouldn't have to see him at the company. But today, Clay had made time to meet her, which she found quite inconvenient.At the company, Lorraine didn't know how to address him. She knew Clay was a strict CEO who preferred to be called by his last name. She always wondered why being called by his name ticked him off, but decided not to press on. Nervously, she said, "Good morning, Mr. Winston. Sorry I'm late." Surprisingly, Clay smiled. He found her shyness endearing and kept his gaze on her, making her feel even more uncomfortable."Why are you late, Ms. Davis?" he called out. Even though they were married, Lorraine kept her legal name. He motioned for her to come closer, and reluctantly, she walked towards him, her feet dragging, and her heart

"Clay", Maia said in shock. Maia was startled when she saw him at her doorstep. He was the last person she expected to show up unannounced. A moment of silence hung between them as she struggled to find her words, completely stunned.Finally, she managed to ask, "Wh-what are you doing here?"Clay, as always, looked sophisticated in his well-fitted suit. He didn't seem thrilled about having a conversation with Maia either, but he didn't bother to know much about Lorraine's friends and didn't have anyone he could go to to find out what was going on with her.Holding a bouquet tightly in his left hand, he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Where's Lorraine?" he asked, his tone more commanding than asking.Maia wasn't pleased with his attitude and said, "You know, Clay, you're really something else.""You know, Clay, you're really something else." Maia remarked, not liking his attitude.She mocked him with a fake smile, saying, "How about asking me how I've been or what I'v

Lorraine sat in the backseat of an airport taxi, gazing at the roads of Florida as they unfolded before her. She had arrived in Florida at 1 p.m., and the intense heat made her think Manhattan was cool in comparison. If she thought the heat in Manhattan was hot, Florida was literally a suana. The roads were bustling with pedestrians, angry drivers, and motorcyclists, all trying to maneuver through the traffic and honking at each other in the heart of the city, Amidst the chaos, Lorraine opened the windows, taking in the sight of tall palm trees and renovated coffee shops. A deep breath filled her lungs, and she felt a warm welcome back home. It had been two years since she left Florida, and the realization that she had been away for so long brought a sudden sadness.Yet, witnessing the enchanting spirit and energy of her city, she felt a sense of renewal. Living in the busy metropolis had made her forget the beauty and simplicity of how a small town could be. Now, back in Florida, sh

The night at the hospital suddenly turned cold. Lorraine's father introduced his son-in-law, Clay, to his wife, Elaine. To everyone's surprise, Elaine warmly welcomed Clay with open arms, which astonished Lorraine. Her father, Ben, was always affectionate, but her mother, Elaine Davis, rarely warmed up to anyone. During the evening, they shared memories of Lorraine's childhood, ordered fast food, and played board games suggested by Clay to lighten the mood of the room.However, Lorraine didn't enjoy the board games much. She might have been upset about losing or still unsettled by Clay's unexpected visit. He had managed to bring some relief to the family during this difficult time, which wasn't a bad thing, but it made her feel like they didn't fully share in her pain. In contrast, her father was a fierce competitor, and after a while, Clay asked for a private moment with his wife. Somehow being called Clay's wife gave Lorraine chills; though, it could've just been the air conditionin

A week had gone by since Clay returned to Manhattan, and Lorraine went back to her old life. On a drizzly Tuesday morning, she allowed herself to sleep in. She thought she deserved it after a tiring day at work. You see, since she made the rash decision to settle at home, she took up her dad's offer to work from home.Taking up this role made her realize how demanding the life of a corporate CEO could be. Dealing with heaps of paperwork every day was overwhelming, but she accepted it as her life now. She chose to stay in Florida to support her family and make up for lost time. Besides, she convinced herself that there was nothing left for her in Manhattan.This morning, Lorraine was fast asleep when her alarm went off again. Annoyed, her brother Jordan entered the room, looking at her sprawled on the bed."You always miss your alarm, it's unbelievable. You're making clock manufacturers look bad," Jordan said shaking his head. Lorraine mumbled in her sleep."Hey, it's morning, Lorraine