Chapter 22%
Third Person’s POV
“Thirty thousand?!“}
For a painting that wasn’t even from a well–known artist, the entire room gasped. Everyone turned toward the voice, trying to spot the crazy bidder.
Clarissa followed their gaze and saw Norris just two rows away. Her lips pressed into a tight line.
Daryll noticed him too, and his eyes narrowed instantly.
No one dared to raise the bid again. Just when everyone thought the gavel was about to fall, the auctioneer abruptly paused and didn’t drop the hammer.
People turned toward where the auctioneer’s hand was gesturing. A strikingly handsome man sat there, casually raising his paddle, doubling the bid.
Norris looked over too. The moment he saw Clarissa, his face lit up with joy.”
He had come today specifically for this painting, knowing how much she adored the artist. He was convinced she was just mad at him, and that this gift could make up for the mess he made yesterday.
What he hadn’t expected was to see Clarissa here in person.
And when he noticed the man next to her, his smile faltered.§
The ring on Daryll’s hand sparkled under the lights. It made Norris’s chest tighten with unease.
Since Daryll had claimed the painting, Norris didn’t press further. He had intended to gift it to Clarissa anyway.”
Ás the auction ended, he quickly walked toward her.
But Daryll pulled Clarissa protectively into his arms, making Norris freeze.
That was when he saw Clarissa wearing a matching ring.
“Clarissa,” he said, voice shaking, “I was too impulsive yesterday. I only wanted to get that painting for you. I remembered how much you loved that artist…”
He tried to steer the conversation away, to avoid thinking about those rings.
But Daryll didn’t give him the chance. “Whatever my wife wants, I’ll get it for her. No need for you to worry.“}
The word “wife” hit Norris like a hammer to the head. He still wanted to believe that it was all an act.”
Until Clarissa calmly pulled a document from her bag.
“I brought our marriage certificate today,” she said evenly, “just in case you thought I was lying again. Anything else you want to say?“} Norris couldn’t speak. The bold letters of the document seemed to burn his eyes.
She was really married. There was no pretending anymore. His delusions were shattered.
Daryll had been puzzled when Clarissa insisted on bringing the certificate earlier, but now he understood.}
With a soft, indulgent smile, he wrapped an arm around her and led her out.”
They had barely taken two steps when Norris lunged forward and punched Daryll in the face.
Clarissa’s eyes flew open. “What are you doing?!”
Norris pointed at Daryll, shouting, “Tell me what trick you used to make her marry you! If you don’t talk, I swear I’ll kill you!“}
Daryll wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, stood up smoothly, and retaliated without hesitation.}
The two of them started brawling right there on the floor. Clarissa tried everything to stop them, but it was useless.
In the end, Norris was no match for Daryll. He was beaten down, unable to get up.
Daryll brushed himself off, gently cupped Clarissa’s face, and whispered, “It’s over now. Let’s go.”
Norris lay on the floor, mind completely blank.
His chest ached as he watched her walk away. Tears streamed down his cheeks, uncontrolled and relentless.
Clarissa really didn’t love him anymore. He had lost her completely.
As such, he wandered back to the hotel like a ghost. At the door, he found a box.
Inside were the letters and flowers he had once sent Clarissa.!
The flowers had long since wilted, and the letters were opened. He was about to toss one aside when he noticed a different handwriting at the bottom,
He opened the rest of them, and every single one had a reply from Clarissa, saying she didn’t love him anymore and to just let her go.
He sat on the floor, clutching the letters, and broke down in sobs.”
He realized he’d been wrong from the start–dragging Clarissa into his selfishness, forcing her to spend a lifetime healing from the hurt he caused.
His assistant eventually found him and helped him back into the room. After his emotions settled, Norris finally let go of his obsession.
But not his love.“>
He picked up a pen and wrote her one final letter.
Clarissa received it just as she found out she was pregnant.
22
100.0%
8:58 PM
The familiar envelope froze her smile. She opened it, expecting more pleading, but this time, there was only a single paragraph.
[Clarissa, I won’t return to the Netherlands in this lifetime. I never knew how to love properly, but if you ever need me, I’ll always have your back. I’m sorry.]%
Behind her, Daryll peeked over her shoulder and clicked his tongue, clearly unimpressed. Then, he snatched the letter, ripped it up, and tossed it in the trash.
But when he saw the tears in Clarissa’s eyes, his heart sank.
“You can still go back to him,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry about me. As long as you’re happy.”%
Clarissa bit her lip as tears welled again.
“Daryll… will you love me for the rest of your life?“%
He paused, caught off guard by her sudden question.
Then, gently wiping away her tears, he looked at her with nothing but sincerity.}
“I will.”
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