Chapter 101
Chapter 101
Clayton flung Valerie’s hand off, and for a second, Valerie didn’t even know how to deny it.
She thought, ‘They’re already divorced, so why does Clayton suddenly care so much about what happened at Ashwood Mental Hospital? If he really cared, why did he force Audrey in there against her will back then?
‘In the end, men are just pathetic. When they have a woman, they think she’s not good enough. But once they lose her, they suddenly think she’s perfect!
Clayton was about to say more when his phone rang. He shot Valerie a nasty look before answering. “Wyatt.”
“You treating my warning like it’s nothing?” Wyatt shouted, slamming his cup.
Clayton’s face turned awkward as he turned to leave the store. “I didn’t go looking for her. Just ran into her on the street.”
“What the hell did you say to her? I told you to stay away! Are you deaf or just stupid? Do you want me to end up dead too? How the hell do I have such a
dumbass brother!”
Clayton held the phone a bit further away and only dared to ask after Wyatt was done ranting. “Wyatt, why are you scared of Audrey? She’s just a…”
“This is my last warning. From now on, if you see Audrey, you walk the other way. If she hits you or yells at you, just suck it up..
“If I ever find out you started something with her again, don’t blame me for cutting you off as my brother.” Even after the call ended, Wyatt’s warning kept ringing in his ears.
Clayton didn’t understand. His brother and sister–in–law used to look down on Audrey, eager for him to divorce her and meet someone better. Clayton couldn’t figure out why they were now terrified of her.
The store clerk had already printed the receipt and was asking Valerie how she wanted to pay.
Valerie watched Clayton’s back, unable to suppress the fury bubbling up inside her. She took out her own credit card and handed it to the salesperson. She and Clayton were married–his money was hers, and her debt was his too.
Audrey returned to her car and called Amelia. “I had to step out for a bit. Are you still in the store?”
“I’m at the shop next door. No need to come over–I’ll meet you at the parking lot.”
“Alright.” Audrey hung up, glancing at the refund message on her phone.
SR had never given away bags for free–especially not exclusive presale models meant for members only.
She was going to text Yann to ask if he had something to do with it. She typed halfway, then thought he might be with Calvin right now.. She’d ask at
home.
The car door closed, and Amelia got in. “Was that the scumbag just now?”
“You saw him?” Audrey asked.
“Not only are you blind, you’re deaf too. Can’t understand human language–just bark like a mad dog.” Amelia was full of disdain. “Ever heard of dumb luck?”
“What do you mean?” Audrey started the engine and turned on the AC. The car had been sitting outside for a while–it was stuffy and hot inside.
“It means after that, good luck follows!”
Amelia suddenly thought of her own son and sighed. “If that kid weren’t gay, I’d drag him home and make him marry you. He might seem cold, but he’s
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got a delicate heart. After his car accident, even with his leg injured, he still took care of…”
Amelia suddenly covered her mouth, looking at Audrey in shock and regret.
She thought. If I’d stepped in back then… could I have changed my son’s orientation? What kind of mother am 17 I was so caught up in work, Inert gave him the guidance he needed. I really was a terrible mom.’
Audrey’s eyes also widened. She thought, ‘Lived in a basement? Did laundry, cooked? That sounds just like… her? But why did Amelia say poor kid?”
Hér dad never did her hair, and he was rarely home. Audrey had cut her hair short to save time. They were really poor back then, always in school uniforms. But still, she might be so underdeveloped that someone mistook her for a boy.
“Amelia, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
Amelia patted Audrey’s hand to comfort both her and herself. “After Yann got hurt, I wanted him to stay at my place, but he refused. I asked him why and he wouldn’t say.
“So I had someone investigate. Found out he was living in a basement with that kid. Even I’ve never eaten his fried eggs! But he was serving that stranger
like a maid.
“Whether he likes men or women–it’s in his genes. The signs were there even back then. I just wasn’t paying enough attention. I failed him as a mother.”
Audrey tried to speak a few times but was interrupted by Amelia each time. “You don’t need to comfort me. Although I’m a bit disappointed that I can’t have grandchildren, I won’t stop him from pursuing happiness.”
“Amelia, I really think…”
Amelia cut Audrey off again, “I don’t have grandchildren, but I can have great–grandchildren. Audrey, please, my goddaughter.”
Audrey was speechless. Although Amelia didn’t care about her ex–husband remarrying, Lucia’s presence made Audrey feel awkward about her own position.
She wasn’t sure if Amelia knew the truth, but Amelia would still talk to her like this.
Suddenly, Amelia squeezed Audrey’s hand and motioned for her to look out the car window.
Valerie and Clayton came out of the store. They were talking about something, and from their expressions, Valerie looked unhappy.
As they walked, Valerie suddenly grabbed Clayton’s arm and changed direction.
Clayton was confused and stumbled slightly from being pulled.
A man walking from the opposite direction saw Valerie’s back, hurried a few steps,
steps, but couldn’t catch up, and then took out his phone to make a call.
From Audrey’s position, she could just see Valerie hiding inside another shop. Valerie panicked, took out her phone, tapped on it a few times, then put it
back in her bag.
The man who had made the call glanced at his phone/dissatisfied, and then turned to walk away.
“Interesting,” Amelia sneered.
Audrey thought something was off, too. Valerie was hiding from that man–could he be her abusive ex–husband? She couldn’t tell.
“What’s wrong with you?” Clayton looked at Valeri,e confused.
“Nothing much.” Valerie avoided his gaze. “It’s just too sunny over there.”
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A store clerk came over to serve them. Valerie pretended to look at products but kept her eyes fived outside until the aft sure the men had! finally breathed out in relief. “Clayton, let’s go back. I’m feeling a bit unwell‘
Clayton wasn’t in the mood to shop either; he wanted to ask his older brother why Valorie was on afraid of Andrey.
He saw Valerie to the neighborhood entrance and left. Valerie ran all the way home and immediately closed all the curtains.
“Have you filed the paperwork yet?” Cheryl came out of the bedroom, frowning at Valerie’s panicked state. “What’s going on? Are you Being chased by a dog?”
Valerie closed all the curtains, pale and sitting on the sofa. “Mom, I saw Lucas. I’m scared…
Cheryl’s face changed, too. She gripped her daughter’s hand tightly. “How did he find you here?”
