12"You're being insane, Claire! Like why? Why would you persevere to stay beside a man who doesn't give two fucks about your health?" Penelope ground the words out as a tear escaped her right eye.Although she was aware of the full story of her friend, she didn't expect to get the gore information Claire just shared.Hunter left her unattended for ten days. Even if he came to see her today, it was only for a few minutes.He has to he a total jerk to do that to his devoting wife."It's certain that man doesn't feel shit for you. Why would you still chase after him then?" Penelope literally screamed as she asked the question.Claire raised her now dry eyes. She was exhausted of crying. But her wet lashes made her look vulnerable."Hunter is distracted, Penny. Otherwise he was a very good husband to me in the last two months after I asked him to give me another ch—""Who the fuck is he to give you a chance, huh? That asshole should not even get an appointment to see you again. You're be

14While the lines of worry lessened around Cole's mouth as the ladies seemed to notice his words, Claire scanned his face for visible lies.He could be lying to fool her. Unfortunately, all she saw was genuinity.Moreover, he had no reason to lie. He may be Hunter's best friend, he was supporting Claire."Nice excuse but my friend and I are not imbeciles. That woman and rape... What a joke!" Penelope said, her words reduced the impact Cole's announcement had created.She refused to believe that it happened. She cringed and added, "I'm forced to wonder whether you are involved with Zara to destroy Claire's relationship. Cole, tell me honestly, are you doing this because you are jealous of your best friend having a loving and faithful wife? You want to separate them because you never had a chance at true love. Ain't I right?""If you can't say anything good, don't open your stinking mouth, Penelope Baker." Cole hissed out. His eyes grew darker, and if looks could kill, he would have

16 Penelope was too inflamed by Hunter's behaviour to keep her mouth shut. However, Cole eyed her dangerously. It reminded Penelope of the doctor's words. They should keep stress causing factors away from her. "Err... I was saying... I was saying that though Hunter was worried for Zara he didn't forget to check up on you, Claire. Hunter spent his nights sitting by you on this stool. He never left you alone for once throughout the night and his back is brutally stiff now." Penelope blurted out. She peered at Cole as if asking with her gaze if her lie was up to the mark. Since the doctor said they must not give her stress, the best way to avoid it was to give her happy news so her mood would be elevated. But Cole's blazing glare indicated that it was more than too much. Claire wouldn't believe that provided that Hunter hardly waited to see her when she last woke up. Even on that night when Zara was being operated in the operation room and Claire fell on the floor while getting

18"Your instincts were right about her. Zara indeed contributed to her husband's demise. She included heart attack causing pills in his medication to get rid of him. It wouldn't have been tough for her to do it considering that she's a medical student. Faking his death as a heart attack was simpler for her because she was friends with a well-known doctor in Silverhills with whom she met during her marriage. More like friends with benefits.” Monty gave his insights while Claire and Penelope were reading Zara's husband's fake and real autopsy reports. Monty really did a great job. He got so many evidence, both faked by Zara and the real copy, along with his hand drawn connections and corrections in places where the information was inaccurate. "Zara left Hunter in greed of living an opulent life as her fiancé, Clifford Phillips, was at the peak of success and Hunter was still climbing the ladders to the same position. Hunter may have been an heir to the wealthiest family in Bloomcrest

20Seeing her twisted expressions and hearing those mind-rotting words, Claire felt a shockwave pass through her. Even though she was aware of what she said, it still sounded disgusting and heart wrenching to her. She fisted her hands on her side and gritted.Was she even a human? A woman? She can't be. Because a woman would never talk like that to another woman let alone do it. Unless the woman is a loose woman. And to say, Zara seemed to be godmother of them all "You can never win from me." Claire stated. "Haha, you cannot win what is already a lost battle, Claire. This was a one sided battle from the very beginning. Don't embarrass yourself more. Be a good girl and stop thinking about Hunter. Divorce him and find yourself another guy." Zara said haughtily. "You better alter your intentions. Hunter will never be yours as I will not let your plan work.""Really?" Zara raised an eyebrow while her lips upturned into a smirk resembling Pennywise's smirk from IT. "Let me give you a