Luna fell at Clayton’s feet after being shoved hard by Valerie. Valerie quickly rushed over, shouting, “Luna, are you alright? You don’t want Clayton to leave, right?”
She pinched Luna’s waist, making the little girl shiver in pain. Luna lowered her head, too scared to look at Clayton. Then, another sharp pinch made her finally reach out and grab Clayton’s sleeve.
+20)
She knew if she kept Clayton stay, she wouldn’t get hurt. So, she held on to him tightly.
“Clayton, Luna’s terrified of that scumbag. She won’t get close to any other man except you,” Valerie sobbed. “The doctor said being with someone Luna feels safe with will help her get better.”
Clayton looked at Luna, his heart aching. He thought, ‘A three–year–old kid who’s seen her father beat her mother must scare her a lot. If Luna’s condition improved even a little, maybe Valerie would find it easier to take care of her!‘
He picked Luna up. Luna had never been held up at this height, so she clung to Clayton in fear, her little hands wrapped tightly around his neck.
Clayton gently patted her back and comforted, “There, there. Let’s go get something to eat, okay?”
Valerie then stood up and said, “I’ll change her clothes. Just wait for us in the living room.” She then took Luna from Clayton’s arms.
When Clayton walked out, he made sure to close the door.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Valerie’s worried expression faded. She leaned down and whispered fiercely to Luna, “You better make sure Clayton stays tonight, got it?”
Luna shivered all over and nodded.
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Valerie quickly changed Luna’s clothes and took her out.
After dinner, Clayton drove them home. As soon as they walked in, his phone rang. It was a colleague telling him that new evidence for a case he was handling was found.
Clayton turned to Valerie and said, “The law firm needs me. I have to handle something.”
Valerie thought, “The firm never needs him at a convenient time. It just happens when we arrive home. Does he think I’m stupid? He doesn’t want to stay. He’s going home to comfort Audrey.‘
By the time Valerie snapped out of it, Clayton was already gone. She kicked Luna to the floor and snapped, “Idiot. What did I teach you?”
Luna’s lips trembled as she backed into the corner, too scared to make a sound. Valerie yanked her by the legs and dragged her into the bedroom. Failing to find a needle, Valerie grabbed a handful of toothpicks and jabbed them hard into Luna’s butt.
Luna couldn’t hold back her screams and cries.
“Shut up,” Valerie hissed while jabbing another toothpick in. “Try making a sound, and you won’t get food for three days.”
*****
By the time Clayton finished his work and got home, it was close to one a.m. When he opened the door, he found the place dark and empty.
He thought with irritation, ‘I only had a few words with Audrey, and she didn’t even come home? I really shouldn’t have been so nice to her. She doesn’t even know her place now.’
He then told himself, ‘Anyway, Audrey is an orphan. She has no one else in Ironhaven except me. She’ll be back in three days.’
Audrey’s absence quickly became the talk of the office.
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Jade moved her chair and started to chat with a coworker behind her. “Emilia, do you think Audrey’s lost her mind? Mr. Patel just forgave her, and now she’s throwing a tantrum again.
+20
“Since she’s out of work, she could be a full–time housewife and take care of Mr. Patel. Can’t believe she chose to run away from home. Let’s see how long she’ll last before she regrets it.”
Jade thought, ‘Audrey’s pretty, sure, but she’s broke, has no power, and no family–basically a bottom–dweller. Mr. Patel’s got it all. His father is a big shot, his mother is a proper high society lady, and his older brother married a leader’s daughter.
‘It’s such a powerful family. If it weren’t for Mr. Patel’s family issues, he never would’ve married someone like Audrey.
Jade sighed to herself, ‘Actually, Valerie was Lillian’s top choice as Clayton’s wife. She is graceful, beautiful, and gentle. Too bad things turned out this way. If I were a man, I’d have chosen Valerie too.‘
Emilia, who had worked with Audrey more closely, liked her bright and lively personality. After hearing Jade’s gossip, she waved her hand and said “I think sending Audrey to Ashwood Mental Hospital was a bit too far. She’s his wife after all.”
Emilia, at 35, looked at things from a more experienced angle. She thought no woman could stand having her husband keep another woman.
If her husband dared to pull something like that, she’d not only storm his workplace but also go to his mother’s house, making sure everyone in the neighborhood knew what a disgusting thing he’d done.
Jade snorted, “If Mr. Patel hadn’t gotten home in time, Valerie’s hand would’ve been chopped off. He’s only sending her off to reflect for a few days. That’s nice enough to her.”
Emilia didn’t reply but just flipped through her paperwork, lost in
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Chapter 6
thoughts. ‘Valerie’s family did a favor for Mr. Patel’s father. Since Mr. Patel’s father is so capable, he should at least help Valerie find a job or something as repayment.
<-20
‘She came back with her daughter, but no matter how hard things got, she couldn’t just keep hanging on to a married man.
‘Besides, she’s an adult, and she has a kid. At least she should know how to take care of her kid and no need to always pester Mr. Patel. Mr. Patel’s great in court, but his personal life’s a mess.‘
The elevator door opened, and Valerie walked out. With flawless makeup, she entered the law firm, her hips swaying gracefully.
“Hi, Jade, Emilia. Is Clayton in his office? He left something at mine last night,” Valerie said to them, making it sound like Clayton stayed at her place last night.
Jade got up and walked over, linking her arm with Valerie’s with a big smile. “Oh, I was wondering why Audrey ran off. She’s still acting high and mighty, waiting for Mr. Patel to beg her to come back.”
“What? Audrey ran away?” Valerie feigned shock, her face showing a mix of worry, frustration, and guilt. “I didn’t mean to break Clayton’s favorite figurine. My hand wasn’t even useless. There’s no need for Clayton to make Audrey apologize to me.”
Jade raised her voice slightly. “Vally, you’re so generous to others but cruel to yourself.”
Valerie’s eyes filled with tears, and she bit her lip. “If it weren’t for Luna, I would’ve never come back with Clayton. Luna’s only three and a half, and she already has autism. I… I…”
Her voice trembled, and her words choked up.
Jade patted her shoulder and comforted, “I know Audrey. When she first came to the firm, she couldn’t even speak when she saw Mr. Patel. Bet she
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played all the tricks she got to land Mr. Patel.”
Jade added, “She’s just acting tough. Give her three days, and she’ll come back herself. Don’t let it get to you, Vally.”
Jade rolled her eyes and thought, ‘Audrey can’t even keep a job, and everything–her food, her rent–is paid for by Mr. Patel. There’s no way she can make a living in Ironhaven on her own.‘
Emilia sighed, starting to take notes while thinking, ‘Valerie could easily work as the receptionist at the firm. If she asked, anyone there would help her out. But she’s clinging to Mr. Patel instead.
‘Luna’s pitiful, sure, but that doesn’t mean she should step into someone’s marriage. Before Valerie came back, Audrey worked hard, made Mr. Patel lunch every day, and their marriage was just fine.
‘Ever since Valerie came back, Mr. Patel has ditched Audrey a few times. Anyone with eyes can see things aren’t right.‘
After meeting with a client, Clayton rushed back to the firm with Carter. Carter casually asked, “Mr. Patel, is Ms. Patterson starting to work at the firm today?”
“Yeah.” Clayton nodded.
20
He had seen the photos of the new house sent by Audrey. He admitted it was a mess, but that was what a house with kids looked like. And with Luna having autism, he couldn’t just take away her right to draw or write.
