Clear Skies Without You のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Whose was it?A roommate's?Or did it belong to some other woman?Was he living with someone?The thought slithered into Fiona's mind like a snake, instantly destroying what little reason she had left.Jealousy burned through her until her eyes turned red.She nearly stormed upstairs to pound on his door and find out exactly what woman had managed to enter his private life so easily.Fiona clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her palms.It was the only thing stopping her.What right did she have?She was his ex-wife.The ex-wife who had hurt him beyond measure and whom he now despised.What right did she have to question anything he did?The helplessness of that realization nearly tore her apart.Still, Fiona couldn't give up.She eventually learned that Joe and his friends often met for dinner at a restaurant in Chinatown.She arrived early and chose an inconspicuous table in the corner.She ordered a pot of tea but couldn't bring herself to take

By the time George finished his tearful account, exaggerated in places but mostly true, Joe was shaking with rage.He tore into his father over the phone."George Kingston! You and Fiona Spencer are both shameless! You sold your own son to get what you wanted, and now she's trying to force me back because she can't stand losing control!"His voice shook with fury."You both make me sick! I'd rather die over here than go back and beg her for anything!"Then, without warning, a cold, familiar woman's voice cut into the call.Joe froze.Fiona.Somehow, she'd tapped into the international call."Joe."Her voice came through the line, calm and chillingly obsessive."Come back."A pause."Otherwise, I can't say what might happen to the Kingston family."Her voice grew colder."And I can't guarantee that your mother's grave in Hemsouth City won't suffer some unfortunate accident."Joe's blood ran cold."You know I can make it happen.""Fiona Spencer, you fucking lunatic!"J

Fiona's expression darkened instantly.Her eyes turned frighteningly cold.She barely spared Xavier a glance before barking an order at the aides behind her."Get him out of here. And from now on, he doesn't set foot on this property without my permission."The aides immediately stepped forward.They politely but firmly took the scissors from Xavier and moved to escort him out.Xavier's eyes widened in disbelief."Fiona! How can you treat me like this? Have you forgotten what we used to...""Xavier."Fiona cut him off.There wasn't a trace of warmth in her voice.Her icy gaze settled on him."For the sake of what we once had, I promised to make sure you had access to treatment until you recovered. That's the last kindness you'll ever get from me."She paused, and her voice turned even colder."But if you ever come here and bother Joe again, if you cross that line one more time, don't expect me to honor even that."Her eyes hardened."After that, you're on your own."Th

After the initial shock wore off, something Fiona didn't dare hope for began to flicker deep inside her.A tiny spark of hope.A baby.Her and Joe's baby.It was a new bond between them. One that could never truly be erased.Maybe with this baby, Joe wouldn't be so determined to leave her.Maybe there was still the smallest chance she could win him back.Fiona cautiously looked toward him.But the moment she met Joe's eyes, that fragile hope shattered.His gaze was cold, filled with disgust and absolute resolve."Get an abortion."Joe's voice was flat and icy."I won't let you have this baby."Fiona felt as though an invisible hand had closed around her heart.She could barely breathe.She rushed over and crouched in front of him, reaching for his hand."Joe, please! Don't!"Her voice trembled with a desperation he'd never heard from her before."This is our baby! I was wrong. Everything was my fault. Hate me. Punish me however you want. But the baby didn't do anythin

Fiona returned to the house that had now completely lost its master and locked herself inside the dark bedroom.She drew every curtain, shutting out all light and sound from the outside world.Empty liquor bottles littered the floor.The air reeked of alcohol and despair.Fiona sat on the floor with her back against the bed, clutching an old candid photo of Joe from his younger days in Hemsouth City.The picture had already begun to yellow with age.Beside her sat a small recorder.It played the same short clip over and over, a recording that had accidentally captured Joe humming to himself one day when he'd been in a particularly good mood at home.His voice was clear and slightly lazy.Now, every note cut into her like a blade.Sometimes Fiona would let out a quiet, almost deranged laugh.Other times, she'd bury her face in her knees and let out muffled sobs like a wounded animal.When the aides brought her food, she angrily swept everything onto the floor.She stared in