The guilt cut through him like a knife.}
I’m sorry, Clarissa…”
He clutched his chest with shaking fists, sobbing as wave after wave of memories hit him. Only now did he see the full extent of his mistakes.“]
All these years, he’d been living in the shadow of Gabrielle, so trapped in the past that he never truly saw Clarissa and appreciated her.
He remembered their wedding night, how she’d confessed her longtime crush on him and how her eyes had sparkled with joy like her dreams had finally come true.
But all he could think back then was that Gabrielle should be satisfied now.
In the five years since, Clarissa had given up her job, her friends, and her life for him. She poured her heart into building a home, while he fooled himself into thinking he was a decent husband.
When Gabrielle came to him asking for a child, he said no, but he still gave her his sperm.}
Clarissa had known everything, and yet she never exposed him. She just quietly protected his pride.}
And what did he do in return? Time after time, he humiliated her for Gabrielle’s sake. Time after time, he left her standing alone.
“Clarissa… I’m begging you, please come back. I love you. Not out of guilt, but pure love.“}
But now, there was no one left to follow behind him, no cheerful voice calling out his name.
Norris covered his face with both hands, unable to look at the room around him.
Day turned to dusk, and he was still sobbing when he suddenly remembered Attorney Turner was still waiting in the living room.
He forced himself to stand and walk out.
Attorney Turner, ever the professional, sat upright with perfect posture. The moment he saw Norris, he offered a polite, formal smile.
Without a word, Norris took the documents from him, blinked away his tears, and handed them back.
“I don’t want it. That’s Clarissa’s. I don’t want her to come back and find she has nowhere to go.“D
Attorney Turner nodded, unfazed. “Understood. And the ring?“}
Norris’s gaze blurred. He choked on his words. “Tell her… she’ll have to come get it from me herself.”
Attorney Turner seemed unaware of everything that had happened. He simply nodded and left.”
Just as the door clicked shut behind him, a shrill voice snapped Norris out of his daze.}]
“Uncle Norris!“}
But he no longer had any warmth left for Matthew. Now, all he could feel was that Clarissa had been right–Gabrielle had failed to raise him properly.”
Matthew must’ve sensed the coldness in the air because his whole expression turned cautious and nervous.
“Uncle Norris, are you mad at Mommy?” he asked in a small voice. “If you are, I’ll say sorry for her, okay? Mommy didn’t tell me to ruin your wedding portrait, or burn Auntie Clarissa’s diary, or throw away the ring. And the stuff about Auntie Clarissa peeing her pants at the family dinner, that was me, not her. Don’t be mad at Mommy, please?“}
Matthew had hoped that telling the truth would make Norris happy. But instead, Norris froze.
He turned slowly, staring at the boy like he was seeing him for the first time. His voice was hoarse and low as he asked, “What did you just say?“%
Matthew shrank back, frightened by the look in his eyes.!
But Norris’s tone only grew harsher. “Tell me! What do you mean she told you to ruin the wedding photo, burn the diary, and throw away the ring? And what about the dinner? What happened?”
Matthew’s lips began to tremble. Tears welled up in his eyes.”
ninkima bunlionha!
