22%
Valerie shielded Clayton with her whole body, taking multiple hits from the slipper. Her arms, exposed outside her clothes, were swollen and red.
The door was still open, and the neighbors who had left started trickling back to watch the drama.
Clayton was already frustrated to begin with. The yelling from Valerie and her mom only made it worse. He snapped and grabbed the slipper from Cheryl shouting. “Enough! Talk it out! Do you have to put on a show for the neighbors?”
Cheryl saw a few middle–aged women peeking through the doorway–exactly the kind to spread gossip. She immediately plopped down on the floor, slapped her thighs, and wailed, “How could face be so cruel? My husband donated his kidney to your grandpa and saved his life.
“And what do we get in return? You won’t even take responsibility after sleeping with my daughter! You ruined her! How can I live up to my husband’s expectations?”
Clayton slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Cheryl flinched from the noise and then raised her voice and cried even louder. The neighbors didn’t even need to leave their homes–they could hear everything she was screaming.
“Mom, I’m begging you… Clayton’s already in a tough spot. Please don’t push him anymore…” Valerie sobbed as she pleaded..
Clayton was so annoyed by all the crying that he slammed cabinets open and shut just to let out his rage.
Finally, he grabbed some ointment and started rubbing it on Valerie’s swollen arm, forcing himself to stay calm. “Did you tell your mom?”
“No, I didn’t…” Valerie could barely breathe through her sobs. She fumbled with her phone and showed him the screen.
She said, “Someone filmed what happened at the hospital that day and uploaded it online. My mom saw it while scrolling and asked me why I never told her we were getting married.
“I told her it was just a temporary fix, not a real marriage. But she completely lost it and said she had to confront the Patel family in person.”
Clayton stared at the video of himself declaring, in front of everyone, that Valerie was the one he loved most and that he would marry her.
He wanted nothing more than to slap himself. Even the congratulatory comments online didn’t comfort him. Instead, they made him feel sick.
As Clayton’s face grew darker, Valerie subtly signaled to her mother. In an instant, Cheryl sprang up from the floor and stormed over, grabbing him by the collar. “You ungrateful bastard. I’ll beat you to death. A life for a life–give me back my husband!”
Valerie shouted, “Mom! I’m begging you; if you want to let out some steam, hit me instead!”
“I never raised a shameless daughter like you! I’ll beat you to death!”
The mother and daughter duo started hitting Clayton together. Valerie looked like she was protecting him, but Cheryl’s slippers somehow always landed on Clayton’s body.
Clayton got angry and shouted, “Stop! I will give Vally an explanation!”
“What kind of explanation? Huh? I ask you, what kind of explanation?” Cheryl raised her slipper, pointing at Clayton. “Can you turn back time to the night you ruined her, or kill the two of us to keep us quiet?”
Clayton closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but his chest still felt tight. This was not the result he wanted.
He just thought that Valerie, who grew up with him, should have a brilliant career and a happy family. All the good things were destroyed by that abusive man. He felt sorry for her and wanted to take care of her. He never thought about marrying her.
Audrey was an orphan from a small town. Orphans had their advantages – no messy relatives asking for favors.
1/3
21:05 Sat, 31 May D
Sat, 31 May
Chapter 86
Cheryl was known for being fierce in the govemment compound. There was a big fuss when Evan donated a kidney.
She was also someone who spoiled her younger brother. She took the $300,000 thank you money from the Patel family and gave it to her brother. It was said that the money from Valerie’s wedding was also given to her uncle.
if he married Valerie, Cheryl would definitely use the Patel family’s influence to demand benefits for her brother’s family.
Clayton didn’t want to become in–laws with people like that. But with Cheryl’s temper, if she didn’t get an explanation, she would definitely cause trouble at Starise House. His father’s career was ruined; he couldn’t afford to drag down his older brother, too.
“I just got divorced. If i marry Vally now, people will say she’s the other woman who broke up my family. That would ruin her reputation,” Clayton said patiently.
Cheryl didn’t care. “You say all this fancy stuff now, but what were you doing when you slept with my daughter?”
Valerie grabbed Cheryl’s hand, crying and begging her not to be upset, to listen to Clayton first.
Clayton thought for a moment and said, “My dad’s career was blocked by someone else.
“My mom isn’t well mentally and is still in the hospital. Now is not the time for a wedding. So, I’ll register the marriage with Vally first, and after the crisis is over, we’ll hold the ceremony.”
“Words mean nothing. Pay $180,000 first!” Cheryl shouted.
“Mom! Clayton will keep his promise,” Valerie urged quickly. “His law firm is also in trouble and can’t afford that much right now – ah!”
Cheryl pinched Valerie’s arm hard. She cursed through gritted teeth, “You shameless thing! He was drunk, and so were you? You couldn’t even hit him with something? I think you still have feelings for him and want to trick me together!”
“No, I don’t, I don’t…” Valerie cried buckets, covering her arm and trembling all over.
Clayton couldn’t stand it and pulled Valerie to his side.
“I was very drunk that night. It’s not Vally’s fault. It’s all my fault.” He looked at Valerie’s red and swollen arm, finally showing mercy. “I’ll give you $300,000 now as bride price, and when we hold the wedding, I’ll give another $300,000.”
Cheryl wanted to refuse, but saw Valerie secretly signal her. Better to settle now than push Clayton too hard and get nothing. She changed her mind mid- sentence. “I’m not selling my daughter. Just treat Vally sincerely, that’s enough.”
Cheryl threw down her slipper, put it on, and went to the kitchen to call Luna out. She wiped the sauce off Luna’s mouth and looked back at Clayton. “Since you’re getting married, you’ll live together. I’ll take care of Luna.”
“Mom…”
“What? You two planning to fake a marriage to fool me?” Cheryl glared. “Get the marriage certificate tomorrow, or don’t blame me if I go raise hell at the Patel family!” Saying that, she carried Luna back to the bedroom.
Luna had just eaten a big plate of noodles in the kitchen. Her belly was round and full. She looked shyly at Valerie, hugged Cheryl’s neck, and turned her head away.
Valerie and Clayton went into the master bedroom. As soon as the door closed, she started crying.
Valerie said, “Clayton, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I don’t want to force you, but my mom… she’s my mom. I really have no choice…“.
“It’s not your fault.” Clayton wiped her tears. “It’s late, you should rest now.”
Valerie sat on the bed and saw Clayton take his phone into the bathroom. She quietly followed him.
Clayton was making a phone call. “I want a fake marriage certificate. Alright, I’ll come over tomorrow.”
2/3
Chapter 86
Valerie nearly cracked her molars in fury. Things had gotten this far, and Clayton still refused to marry her–he actually wanted to fob her off with a fake Certificate
After hanging up, Clayton got ready to shower. He wrapped his broken hand in a plastic bag.
Just as Valerie was about to leave, she saw what Clayton did next. She stood there in utter shock, eyes wide and jaw dropped.
