Chapter 32
When Clayton got upstairs, Audrey wasn’t home yet.
He waited by the elevator, a cigarette, and tried to calm himself down so he could talk to Audrey composedly
He thought, “he’s seriously gone too far just to get back at me. She wrecked Blackthorn Legal’s business, trashed its reputation, and now she’s even going aher my dad’s campaign.
Audrey hadn’t been like this before. From the moment they rushed into that marriage, she’d always shown him respect and even admiration. She was gentle, considerate, always looking out for him.
Clayton pondered, ‘She never once spoke harshly to my parents, just to keep me out of a tough spot. And now she’s turned into someone so aggressive and overbearing.
“She’s not even the kind of person who holds grudges. But just because I brought Valerie back, she’s caused all this drama!
Meanwhile, Calvin’s car pulled into the complex. Audrey got out first so Calvin could pull over on the right side, fight against the curb by the greenery.
She tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and started walking down the path. Out of nowhere, someone stepped in front of her.
“Audrey, I know all your fights with Clayton are because of me and my daughter,” Valerie said, shoving Luna forward. The girl lost her balance and fell on her knees right in front of Audrey.
Audrey quickly stopped back and looked at Valerie coldly. “What kind of insane stunt are you pulling now?”
Valerie pressed a hand against Luna’s back. “Beg Audrey. You don’t stop until she forgives us.
Luna reached out her hands stiffly and clutched Audrey’s clothes.
Apparently not satisfied, Valerie snapped, “That’s not sincere enough. You think Audrey’s gonna forgive you like that? You’re nothing but a worthless burden.
“if it weren’t for you, I would’ve left that bastard ages ago. I only came back with Clayton to
Clayton to get you treated. That’s what pissed Audrey of All of this is your fault”
Luna sobbed, holding on to Audrey’s clothes tighter, tears and snotstreaming down her face.
Audrey’s eyes turned cold. “Valerie, there’s no one else here. You can drop the act. What the hell do you want?”
Valerie ignored her and kept yelling at Luna, “Quit sobbing, You’ve still got the nerve to cry? If Audrey doesn’t forgive us, don’t even think about coming home with me.”
Luna was shaking all ove still clinging to Audrey’s clothes, begging. Then suddenly her grip loosened, and she collapsed.
Audrey stepped forward to catch her, but Valerie quickly grabbed Audrey’s hand and screamed, “Audrey, what do you want from us? What will it take for you to forgive us?.
“Clayton’s law firm didn’t get where it is easily. Please, just let him off the hook. If you want me and my daughter dead, then fine, I’ll take Luna with me and we’ll de right now.”
Valerie clung to Audrey’s hand and tried to swing it toward d her own face.
Audrey yanked herself free. She didn’t miss the flash of mockery and provocation in Valerie’s eyes.
With a loud smack, Valerie’s head snapped to the side. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You hit me?”
“Isn’t that what you asked for?” Audrey sneered “Slashing yourself with a fruit knife to frame me wasn’t enough? Now you’re dragging your daughter
1/3
here to play the victim too?!
eriashouted, “Auchey, you –
Audrey raised her hand and slapped her again. Valerie clutched her face and let out a piercing shriek, loud enough to sterile Clayton on
Valerie shot Audrey a vicious glare, then suddenly dropped to her knees and begged, “Audrey, I’m sorry. I’m begging you, please don’t take it Luna She’s only three, She’s autistic.”
That dramatic kneel looked harsh, but Valerie had used just the right amount of force–it looked painful but didn’t actually hurt her.” Luna and leave. We stay far away from Clayton and never see him again. Please, just let Luna po
Audrey kicked Valerie in the shoulder, sending her crashing backward to the ground.
“You’re disgusting. As if humiliating yourself wasn’t pathetic enough, now you’re using your own kid as a prop? Audrey stepped in and kicked again
But this time, her foot didn’t land on Valerie–it hit Clayton instead.
Clayton stepped in front of Valerie protectively, his eyes filled with disappointment, shock, and anger as he stared at Audrey.
He scolded, “You said Vally framed you. What about this time? I saw how you hurt her and Luna with my own eyes. Audrey, I’m so disappointed in you.” Audrey crossed her arms and sneered, “Right back at you, Since we can’t stand each other, just sign the divorce papers already.”
Clayton was caught off guard, the anger on his face deepening. He thought, ‘Divorce? That word’s always on her lips.”
Even after everything she’d done, no matter how outrageous in his eyes, he’d never actually considered getting a divorce. “The divorce is between you and me. But right now, you need to apologize to Vally,”
“I won’t,” Audrey said.
Clayton snapped, “You’re not gonna apologize?”
Audrey looked at Valerie, who was nestled in Clayton’s arms and still throwing smug little looks her way, and said, “If she comes near me one more time, I’ll hit her again. And next time, it’ll be worse.”
“Clayton,” Valerie whispered, soft as jelly, leaning into Clayton. “I’ll apologize to Audrey. As long as she stops fighting with you, I’ll do whatever she wants.”
As she spoke, she pretended to kneel, but Clayton pulled her up.
Remembering why he came, Clayton forced down his frustration and tried to soften his tone. “This is enough. Sending you to Ashwood Mental Hospital was my mistake.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. But you shouldn’t take it out on Vally and Luna.”
g a beat.
“Then get on your knees and beg me right now,” Audrey said without missing a
“How dare you say
by that?” Clayton was furious.
“What, didn’t you just say you’d do anything? Now you’re backing out?” Audrey raised an eyebrow. “Well, if not, then take this cheap wretch and get out.”
“Audrey, when did you turn into a shrew?” Clayton looked at her in disbelief.
Valerie could barely hide the smugness tugging at her lips. She thought, ‘Keep going. The more Audrey acts out, the more Clayton will hate her. That divorce will come even faster.
Valerie said, “Audrey, Clayton is your husband. How could you make him get on his knees to beg you? If you hadn’t hurt my hand, Clayton wouldn’t have
2/3
Chapter 32
sent you to Ashwood Mental Hospital.
“He only made that mistake because he didn’t know what that place was really like. He’s already apologized. Are you really not satisfied until you’ve ruined his reputation?”
Hearing that, Clayton didn’t feel quite as guilty anymore. He pondered, ‘She’s right. If Audrey hadn’t lashed out and bort Valerie’s hand
made that bad call
ver would’ve
He speke, “Audrey, whatever’s between us, we can talk it through when we get home. But right now, you need to apologize to Vally and Luna.”
Audrey pave Clayton a cold look, then turned to Valerie. One played the hero, the other the damsel in distress, while neither so much as glanced at Luna crumpled on the floor.
Thinking back to how Valerie had treated Luna just now, Audrey honestly started to wonder if Luna was even her real daughter
not
There was a loud slam as Calvin shut the car door and strode over. “Ms. Patterson, Is it because you’re sure there are no security cameras here that yo feel so free to put on a performance?”
Valerie flinched. She’d lived here before. She knew the complex had a low occupancy rate and a lot of the areas weren’t under surveillance. That was why she’d dared to treat Luna so roughly.
She thought, Who the hell is this guy? Why is he sticking his nose in my business?”
Clayton gave Calvin a suspicious look too. Then Calvin tapped on his phone a few times, tumed the screen toward Clayton, and played a video.
E
