Chapter 2

Clarisse woke up to the sharp, suffocating smell of disinfectant. As her vision slowly cleared, she saw Theodore sitting by her bedside, his eyes bloodshot and his face drawn and haggard. He immediately gripped her hand tight when he saw her awake, his voice trembling with regret and fear. "Clarisse! You're awake! Thank God! My mom... She lost control. She was just so worried about Caleb, so she got carried away. She only wanted to teach you a lesson... I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" He leaned down, wanting to kiss her forehead, but Clarisse turned her head away. "A lesson? I almost died…" she whispered, staring at him with empty, hollow eyes. Silent tears rolled down her pale cheeks. Theodore was pained by her tears and quickly promised, "It was just an accident! I swear, it'll never happen again! Once you're better, I'll take you to the auction. I'll buy you anything you want to make it up to you, okay?" Make it up to her? Did he really think the terror and despair of nearly suffocating to death could be wiped away with money and gifts? Clarisse closed her eyes, feeling utterly numb inside. Suddenly, a harsh ringtone cut through the silence. "Theo! Caleb's awake! He's crying for you! Please come over!" Bianca's voice broke with tears over the phone, mixed with the sound of Caleb's frantic sobbing. Theodore's face changed immediately. He glanced at Clarisse, his voice urgent and tentative. "Clarisse, Caleb is awake and crying badly. I need to check on him. I'll be back soon. Just rest and wait for me." Clarisse didn't respond, her eyes closed. She only heard his hurried footsteps as he left the room. Theodore never came back that night. She didn't see him again until the day she was discharged from the hospital. "The auction's today, Clarisse. Let's go," Theodore said with a smile, trying to please her. She got into the car without saying anything. The whole ride there, Theodore tried to find things to talk about, but Clarisse only gave brief answers. As soon as they pulled up to the auction house, Clarisse saw Bianca waiting outside. She was holding Caleb, her face bright with anticipation. Theodore paused for a second, then quickly explained, "Caleb threw a fit at home and insisted on coming. He's just a kid. He gets curious." Inside their private box, Clarisse sat quietly at Theodore's side. But all of his attention was on Bianca and Caleb. He patiently explained how auctions worked to Caleb, a warm smile on his face. Every now and then, he leaned over and quietly whispered something to Bianca. The three of them shared a warm, happy moment, while Clarisse was left completely alone. That gentle, caring side of Theodore had once belonged only to Clarisse. Now, even sitting right beside him, she felt invisible, like a shadow that didn't matter. When the auctioneer presented a ruby necklace, Bianca's eyes immediately lit up. She clearly longed for it. Caleb tugged on Theodore's sleeve, his innocent words cutting straight to Clarisse's heart. "Daddy! Mommy really loves that sparkly necklace! Can you buy it for her?" Theodore grinned, ruffled Caleb's hair, and replied tenderly, "Of course." He raised his paddle without hesitation, winning the necklace with a sky-high bid. Only after the auction ended did Theodore seem to remember that Clarisse was there. He turned to her apologetically, "Clarisse, I'm sorry. I was just busy keeping Caleb happy. Was there anything you wanted?" Clarisse looked up at him, her eyes dark and completely empty. Whatever hope she had left was gone. The only thing she wanted now was to leave him and escape this suffocating life. She forced a weak smile, her voice barely a whisper when she answered, "Yes. Let's talk about it at home." Thinking she had finally decided to accept some compensation, Theodore immediately relaxed and eagerly promised, "Whatever you want, Clarisse. Even if you want the stars, I'll find a way to bring them to you!" When they got home, Clarisse walked straight into the study, opened a drawer, and took out the divorce papers that had been buried there for three years. Back when she first learned Bianca was pregnant, Clarisse had lost all hope and prepared to leave, but she couldn't bring herself to go through with it and decided to give their marriage one more chance. For some reason, though, she never threw away the divorce papers and just stowed them away instead. Perhaps deep down, she always knew their marriage would end someday. She handed the papers to Theodore. "What do you want?" he asked casually. Clarisse didn't answer. As Theodore started to flip through the pages, his phone rang. He answered without thinking, his voice full of warmth and concern that he didn't even notice, "Bianca? What's wrong?" "Theo, the IVF is ready. Come quickly!" Bianca's voice came from the phone. Theodore glanced at Clarisse, but her face was expressionless. She simply turned the papers to the last page for him to sign. "Clarisse, I…" Theodore tried to explain. "She's waiting for you," Clarisse said evenly, her face unreadable. Theodore hesitated for only a second, then picked up the pen and signed his name without a second thought. After that, he hurried out of the room. Clarisse watched his eager, retreating figure. A bitter, mocking smile curled her lips, but tears spilled down her face, soaking the divorce papers. "Theodore, do you even know what you just signed?" she muttered. Perhaps it didn't matter. Perhaps the thought of getting it done and over with so that he could finally run to Bianca had occupied his mind. Clarisse lowered her head and looked at his hurried signature, which clearly showed his eagerness to leave. With a wry smile, she picked up the pen and slowly signed her name beside his.