Chapter 48
Clarissa lay on the floor for what felt like forever before finally managing to crawl back into her wheelchair.
The bedroom, once warm and comforting, was now a complete mess. But Norris didn’t seem to see any of it. All he remembered was her being “dramatic.“{
Clarissa let out a soft laugh, more bitter than amused, like she was mocking herself.”
A moment later, she pulled out her phone and dialed her lawyer.}]
“How much longer will it take?”
Attorney Turner sounded surprised,. “I was just about to call you!!
The process is almost done, the marriage relationship will be dissolved tomorrow.“]
Clarissa found herself subconsciously picking at her palm. So, five years of marriage end in less than five days.
She swallowed the last trace of hesitation and told him to bring it over tonight.
But before she even had time to read the papers, Norris unexpectedly called her away to attend a family dinner.
Clarissa rarely joined the Daniel family gatherings. She knew they didn’t like her, and honestly, the feeling was mutual. So she had no idea why Norris insisted she come this time.
It wasn’t until they got in the car that everything made sense.
“Clarissa,” Gabrielle said sweetly from the backseat, “Matthew’s such a restless little guy. I’ll hold him here, hope you don’t mind?”
The backseat used to have a special seat just for Clarissa. Now, Gabrielle was sitting there, comfortably settled beside Norris.
Even so, Clarissa didn’t even glance at him. After a beat of silence, she replied calmly, “Not at all. Go ahead.”
Norris was caught off guard by how indifferent she sounded. She didn’t argue or complain, which was a surprise. He even got out of the car to help her in, like he used to.
But Clarissa, though still in pain from the burns, pushed herself up into the front passenger seat on her own. When he moved to fold her wheelchair, she subtly pulled it away and quickly did it herself without saying a word.
His hand froze in midair, which was denied again, and a strange emptiness crept in, but was quickly replaced by irritation. After stiffening momentarily, he got into the car.
The drive was quiet in the front as Clarissa kept her mouth shut, contradicting the backseat, which was buzzing with laughter and cheerful small talk, like one happy little family.”
It didn’t take long for Clarissa to realize the truth that it was Gabrielle’s idea to bring her along tonight.
Apparently, it was “to help them bond.” But Norris knew perfectly well that his family had never accepted her.”
Still, just because Gabrielle asked, he went along with it without a second thought.
Clarissa glanced at the rearview mirror and caught the soft expression in Norris’s eyes as he looked at Gabrielle.}]
‘So that’s what it looks like when he loves someone. Not the forced gentleness he gave me before. It’s all réal, effortless, and natural,’ Clarissa thought.”
She stared too long until her face felt wet.
Startled, she snapped out of it and realized her tears had already soaked her cheeks.
Quickly, she turned toward the window and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep as the wind dried her tears.
As always, the Daniel family gathering was crowded. Some people she saw often, others she barely recognized. No matter their usual schedules, everyone made it to these dinners.
There were five large tables filled, but Clarissa only knew a few of the faces.
She had planned to quietly endure the night, play the part of the invisible wife, and get through it.
But Gabrielle had other plans.
“I’ve been living overseas all these years, and only just found out that Norris got married,” she said sweetly, raising her glass. “Let’s all toast to Clarissa for taking care of him these past five years.“}
Gabrielle had grown up with Norris, so most people at the table were closer to her than they ever were to Clarissa.}
As such, even if they didn’t like Clarissa, they still politely raised their glasses at Gabrielle’s suggestion.
Clarissa sat stiffly, like she was going into battle. Her smile was forced, her fingers trembling slightly as she raised her glass and drank.”
She had always been a lightweight. One drink and her face had already gone pale. But Gabrielle wasn’t done.
“Oh, that won’t do,” she chirped, looking around. “So many people toasted you, Clarissa. You can’t just stop after one drink, can you? What do you think, Norris?“?
Norris looked at Clarissa’s cold, emotionless face and frowned.”
“You only come around once in a while, and you’re already pulling a long face?” he said. “If you hate my family so much, why’d you marry me in the first place?“%
Clarissa froze as a memory flashed in her mind. He was the one who had proposed.
But what was the point in bringing that up now??
She laughed quietly. It didn’t matter anymore. They were getting divorced anyway.”
She was about to excuse herself and leave when Gabrielle suddenly stood up and grabbed her wheelchair &
Clarissa’s not very mobile, so I help her. Don’t wom, I’ll make sure she toasts everyone” she said with a sugary smile “Right, Clarissa?“N
Third Person’s POVR
Clarissa opened her mouth to refuse but Noms didn’t give her the chance &
“Clarissa” he said colth, you can either do this the easy way or the hard way”
The words she’d been holding in her throat died instantly With all the judgmental stares from his family aimed right at her, she couldn’t bring herself to say no
With that Gabrielle pushed her from table to table and made her toast every single person, from elders to cousins, and even the children.
Every time she managed to swallow a drink, another glass was shoved into her hand Her stomach burned, and her bladder was close to bursting She tried several times to tell Gabrielle, in a hushed voice, that she needed to use the restroom. But whether by accident or on pupose Gabelle ignored her every time!
Finally after making the full round, Clarissa was wheeled back beside Nomis. Her head spun
She hadn’t even sat for a second before she tried to maneuver her chair toward the bathroom, but the wheels wouldn’t budge. The wheelchair had been locked in place
She glanced toward Gabrielle, now cheerfully chatting and toasting across the room, and her eyes darkened.
Clarissa took a deep breath and tapped Noms on the shoulder. He tumed with a questioning look, but before she could get a word out, Gabrielle was back again, raising her glass.
Nors‘ she said sweeth 1 hardly recognize anyone anymore. Come with me, help me say hello.”
Right after saying that, Gabrielle immediately pulled him away with her. At that time, half the quests had already drifted off to catch up elsewhere d
And just like that anyone who passed by Clanssa was subtly pulled away by Gabrielle with one excuse or another. Clarissa understood exactly what was happening. But there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.
The alcohol was catching up with her. Her stomach churned, and her head pounded. She leaned back in the chair, trying to stay composed. She didn’t even realize sheld lost control
Until a shrill voice rang out 2
“Ew! What’s that smell? Yuck! That bad auntie peed herself! Gross!”
It was Matthew. He shrieked that out loud enough for everyone to hear
Clarissa snapped to attention, eyes wide. She looked down and felt the wetness beneath her
Whispers and laughter buzzed around her. People gathered, trying to hide their disgust, but failing miserably.
Her whole body went stiff. She buried her head, her hands clenched tight, and her eyelashes trembling. The kids‘ laughter stabbed at her
ears.
She gripped the armrests and tried desperately to wheel herself away, but the wheelchair wouldn’t move. Panic crawled up her spine as more eyes zeroed in on her like spotlights.&
She braced her hands against the armrests and tried to stand, but the moment her lifeless legs touched the floor, she crumpled like a rag doll.2
Fortunately, someone caught her before she hit the ground.
Clarissa didn’t care who it was. She clung to that person like she was drowning, her voice cracking with desperation as she begged, “Take me away… Please… just get me out of here.“N
Without a word, the man lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the event hall. He brought her to the staff break room and quietly left her there.
He’d left behind clean clothes for her, folded neatly on her lap.
Changed into new clothes, Clarissa broke down, her shoulders trembling as the tears finally came. Her quiet sobs echoed in the small
room.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Norris stormed in, face twisted in fury.&
“Clarissa!” he roared. “I didn’t realize you already had a new man! Who was he, huh? Tell me! We’re still married, and you’re already cheating on me?! What kind of woman are you?!”
The rage in his voice stunned her into silence. N
She looked up at him, disbelief written all over her face.N
She had just been humiliated in front of his entire family, and a kind waiter had helped her before she completely fell apart, and this was what Noms assumed?%
How could he think that of her? He knew what she’d been through over the past fifteen years. How could he say that?
Her heart went numb. The calm mask she always wore cracked, revealing raw pain and fury underneath.N
“Nomis,” she said through gritted teeth, “you didn’t even ask me what happened. You just assumed I cheated. Do you even know what Gabrielle-%
Before she could finish, he slammed his hand down beside her, face twisted with anger.&
“You’re still blaming Gabrielle? What did she force you to sneak off with some man at the party behind my back?“8 Clarissa stared at him, barely recognizing the man she’d loved for fifteen years N
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She clutched the clothes in her lap, shut her eyes, and let out a bitter laugh.0
“Fine. You’re right. I found someone else. Let’s just get this over with. We are divorced.”
Norris’s eyes flared. He clenched his fists, the veins in his arms popping.
“You said it. Don’t come crying to me later.”
Clarissa took a deep breath to push down the lump in her throat. She reached into the bag she’d never taken off her shoulder and pulled out the divorce papers.”
“No, I won’t regret it,” she said quietly. “Now, sign it.”
Norris stared at the papers in her hand. For a brief second, panic flickered in his chest.N
But then he convinced himself it was a bluff, that she just wanted attention, It’s just a fake divorce, and this was some scheme to compete with Gabrielle.
He snatched the papers, skimmed them, then scoffed.N
The words “property agreement” stared back at him, fueling his rage. He didn’t even bother checking what she was asking for. He just wanted to prove he didn’t care.
He signed without hesitation and flung the document at her before storming to the door.
“See you at the county clerk’s office tomorrow.”
Clarissa didn’t answer, and he took her silence as agreement.
But only she knew that there would be no tomorrow.
She wasn’t going home. She’d already packed a bag. Her aunt was taking her straight to the airport tonight.
The divorce certificate didn’t matter anymore.M
On the ride to the airport, she blocked every way Norris could ever contact her again.M
And she scheduled one final message to be delivered later.
[Norris, if my love ever made you feel guilty, then I take it back. Thank God the child was yours and Gabrielle’s, not mine. As you wished, we really got divorced. Thank you. Otherwise, I might never have had the strength to leave. Thank you for the fifteen years you gave me. I hope I find happiness. Let’s never see each other again.]
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