"Can we meet for a cup of coffee?" Claire asked Roxanne, Oliver's mother, on the phone. "There's something I would like to ask you." "Of course, dear. You can ask me anything... I'll give you all the answers," Roxanne replied gently. "I'm coming to the company since my husband is working from there today... we can have coffee in the company cafeteria." Claire's heart thumped with guilt. The Fords had always been kind to her, and yet she had been plotting revenge against them over something they didn't do. Deep down, she wondered if Roxanne would still be kind to her if she found out... "Thank you, Aunty. See you soon." When she cut the call, Claire received another call. However, she let it ring without answering when she saw who was calling. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Wesley had been calling nonstop and he had also left her several messages but Claire couldn't bring herself to respond. She felt guilty... after stringing him along, she still went back to Oliv

“Claire… let’s wait to hear from them-” “No! I need to go to him…, I need to…” Claire stood from the couch and took a few steps towards the door before dropping to the floor, her knees feeling weak. Big fat tears streamed down her cheeks as she said, “I need to see him.” Her heart squeezed painfully, the images of the car wreck flashing through her mind. The car was crushed beyond recognition. No one could survive that. Moreover, two people were feared dead, Claire didn't know if Oliver was among those two and her heart was squeezing with worry. Quinn had switched off the TV to prevent Thalia from seeing what was on the news but the bad news was already imprinted in Claire’s mind. The accident scene kept replaying in her mind like a broken record. Guilt ate at her heart and made her stomach churn. ‘I should have treated him better…’ she thought painfully. “Mommy, are you crying? What’s wrong?” Thalia asked. Worry filled her eyes as she approached Claire and cupped her face w

“Um… why are you not in your ward?” Claire asked, dodging the question smoothly but her eyes were full of concern for him. “You’re supposed to be resting after that horrible accident.” Oliver smiled in amusement but he didn’t continue to tease her. He suddenly frowned and said, “I have to go there now… my arm hurts.” “Really? You said it wasn’t that bad,” Zara Ford’s voice suddenly echoed around them and Oliver glared at his sister. “I’M. IN. PAIN,” Oliver stated firmly and the Ford family who had been watching them took the hint. Roxanne nodded and remarked, “We will handle things here, son. Go back to your ward.” She then asked Claire, “Would you please take care of him for me, Claire dear?” Claire nodded and went to the VIP ward with Oliver. Her heart ached when she saw the frown on his face, thinking he was in too much pain. “Lie down and don’t move around until you feel better,” she instructed, helping him get on the bed in the ward. Oliver hid a smile, loving the way

The ward instantly went quiet after Claire’s response. She bit her lip, glancing at Oliver only to see the flash of hurt that flickered through his eyes. Her heart thumped with guilt as she reminded him, “We agreed to take things slow, not so?” Despite agreeing to give Oliver a second chance, Claire didn’t want them to move so fast without resolving some matters between them. Not only did she dread getting hurt again, but she also wanted to find an opportunity to come clean about her plans for revenge. She had yet to tell Oliver and the Fords that she had met her mother and that she had joined the company with a hidden motive. This was why she wanted them to take things slow… She had no idea how Oliver would react when he found out she had been lying to him all this while. Would he forgive her and continue with the relationship or would he feel betrayed and leave Claire once and for all?The thought that the truth could drift them apart again scared Claire more. She didn’t want to

Claire was ready to tell Oliver the truth about why she had returned to the city. However, when she arrived at his penthouse, she found he had prepared a surprise for her. He had made her a path of scented candles and rose petals, the atmosphere setting the mood for a long, romantic night ahead. Looking at the dress he had prepared for her, Claire sighed. 'I guess I can tell him the truth some other time,' she mused. She didn't want to ruin his night when he had put so much effort into arranging a date with her. A smile crossed her lips and she went to the bathroom, her heart skipping a beat when she found something else prepared for her in there. The huge tub was filled with warm water and bath bombs. Red rose petals floated atop the foamy water. A small wooden tray was placed in the middle of the tub with a glass of champagne and a plate of assorted fruits. Soft music was playing from a small speaker in the corner.Claire's heart felt warm as she looked around the place. She spot