Chapter 8X
Third Person’s POV
Just when Norris’s heart had begun to hope again, it was instantly crushed.
He wiped his eyes and stared at the screen, eyes fixed on those few words. But the longer he looked, the more real they became, and the heavier the guilt settled in his chest.
So it was his fault. He was the reason Clarissa had left. She was flying to the Netherlands in the middle of the night because of him. She had known about the child all along. And yet, she never said a word. She bore it all in silence.
Now that he thought about it, she had given him chances several times to explain and to come clean. But he hadn’t taken a single one.”
If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have gotten on that plane.
“Clarissa… this is all my fault…”
The pain hit like a knife to the heart. Tears rolled down his face, hot and heavy. Only now did he realize what he felt for her wasn’t just guilt. Deep, overwhelming love had always been there, hidden beneath everything.
He dropped the phone and let out a broken, guttural cry.
He didn’t know how long he cried, but eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he passed out.
In his dream, Clarissa was safe and smiling. She told him she had just gone on vacation. He watched her board a plane, calm and radiant. Then, in a terrifying blur, the plane exploded right before his eyes.
“Clarissa!” He shouted as he shot up from the bed, heart racing.
At that time, moming light had already flooded the room while he was alone.
His phone then rang, jarring him fully awake. He forced a bitter smile as he picked it up.
“Mr. Daniel? This is Miss Clarissa’s divorce lawyer. I’ve received the signed divorce papers. When would you division of assets?“}
to discuss the
Norris was momentarily stunned. Then it hit him. That night, when she had asked him to sign, he had signed it in a daze, thinking she’d never actually go through with it.”
His brows furrowed deeply. He couldn’t believe it was real.
“Hello? Mr. Daniel, are you there?” the attorney called out to him on the other end.”
He rubbed his forehead, his voice hoarse. “One hour. Meet me in person.”
An hour later, Attorney Turner arrived at the villa, arms full of documents.
Norris looked a mess with his eyes bloodshot and expression blank. When he opened the fridge and saw the small cakes Clarissa used to buy, his eyes moistened again.§
He looked away sharply and swallowed the lump in his throat. Grabbing a beer, he slumped into the chair across from the lawyer.
He remembered the time Clarissa had asked about notarizing assets. Back then, he had been furious. He thought it proved she’d only ever cared about his money. !
But now, he’d give her everything if she’d just come back.
“Mr. Daniel,” Attomey Turner began, “Miss Clarissa asked me to prepare the property division. She’s transferring to you an old house under her name, plus eleven thousand dollars from her bank account. In return, she’s requesting only the ring she gave you before marriage. Essentially, she’s walking away with nothing. Do you have any objections?“}
Norris froze mid–drink, stunned, then stared at the lawyer in disbelief.}
Attorney Turner shifted uncomfortably under the gaze, but before he could speak, Norris had already snatched the documents from his hand.
He read every word carefully, lips silently moving as his eyes skimmed the pages.
Then, all of a sudden, he let out a laugh. But almost instantly, tears began to fall.}
The drops hit the paper, smearing the ink. There was no laughter left in him anymore.
“You… idiot… why would you do this…”
She had known all along about the betrayal and everything.}
And she still chose to leave without taking a thing.
Her signature was clear on the document. There was no mistaking it. She had done this willingly.
Attorney Turner adjusted his glasses and gently interrupted the moment. “Here are the transfer documents. All you need to do is sign.
Miss Clarissa asked me to get the ring back for her. She’ll just stop by to collect it when she has time.“}
Norris blinked, confused. “Ring? What ring?”
Attorney Turner paused, then quickly pulled out a photo of the ring Clarissa had described.”
“She said it looks something like this with an engraving on the inside.”
