Chapter 4

In the days that followed, Clarisse quietly packed her things and started erasing every trace of Theodore from her life. Meanwhile, Theodore was busy with Bianca and their so-called IVF treatments. He kept repeating the same empty promises over the phone. "It'll be over soon. Clarisse, wait for me." Clarisse had grown tired of those useless words long ago. She no longer believed a single promise Theodore made. On the eve of their official divorce, the villa suddenly filled with an unusual excitement. Edward and Miranda sat on the living room couch, their faces full of joy. Miranda held Bianca's hand and couldn't stop smiling. Bianca leaned against Theodore, her hand gently resting on her still-flat stomach. Her face also glowed with shy happiness. Seeing this scene, Clarisse stopped in her tracks. She felt sick, and her stomach twisted. She turned to leave without a word. "Clarisse!" Theodore spotted her and rushed over, nearly bursting with excitement. He pulled her into his arms, his voice shaking with uncontrollable joy when he announced, "Bianca's pregnant! "Clarisse, as soon as the baby is born and we get the cord blood to save Caleb, it'll finally be over. Bianca will take both kids and leave, and we can go back to how things were!" Clarisse thought the whole thing was utterly absurd. The last time she'd seen Theodore so happy was on the day they got married. He'd put the ring on her finger with trembling hands, his voice filled with excitement and his eyes overflowing with love he could barely contain. "Clarisse, marrying you is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me!" Now, he was overjoyed because another woman was carrying his child. He even wanted to share that happiness with her… She forced herself out of his embrace, met his stunned eyes, and spoke in a voice so calm it was almost empty, "Congratulations." … The next day was Miranda's birthday. The whole Brooke residence was decorated in celebration. Miranda stood in the middle of the living room, holding Bianca's hand, her voice warm with pride and affection. "Bianca is the heart of our family! She gave us sweet little Caleb, and now, she's expecting again! This is the best birthday present I've ever received!" Then, Miranda's gaze turned as sharp as a knife as it landed on Clarisse, who stood in the corner. Her words came out cruel and cold. "Not like some people who have been married into this family for years and still have nothing to show for it! Useless! How could you ever compare to Bianca?" Every word stabbed Clarisse like a needle. She didn't want to hear another word, so she turned and walked out to the backyard. By the pool, the sunlight danced on the water, reflecting her pale face. She heard footsteps behind her. Bianca slowly came to stand behind her, her voice gentle but with an edge. "Ms. Hart, why are you out here alone? Is it too noisy inside? Or… is it all too much for you to watch?" Clarisse didn't look back, her voice icy. "Stay away from me." Bianca let out a soft laugh, moving to stand beside her, both hands gently caressing her stomach in a gesture full of triumph. "Did you know? To get pregnant with this baby, Theo and I had to 'try' many times." She emphasized the word "try", her tone suggestive. Those photos at the hotel flooded Clarisse's mind. She felt another wave of nausea, wanting nothing more than to leave Bianca behind, but Bianca grabbed her wrist suddenly, her grip painfully tight with her nails digging into her skin. "Can't take it?" she asked triumphantly. "Let go!" Clarisse gasped in pain, struggling to free herself. But Bianca held tight and, without warning, dragged both of them toward the edge of the pool. There was a loud splash as both of them crashed into the water. "Help! Help, please! Someone save my baby!" Bianca's screams echoed through the backyard, her voice shrill with panic. Everyone rushed out of the house, alarmed by the commotion. Theodore was the first to appear. The moment he saw Bianca flailing in the water, he dove straight in without a second thought. He didn't even glance at Clarisse, who was struggling to keep her head above water, coughing and choking. He swam directly to Bianca, pulling her safely to the edge. His voice was rushed, but he still tried to keep it gentle. "Don't worry, Bianca! I'm here! You and the baby will be fine." Clarisse watched Theodore holding Bianca tightly by the poolside. Her heart felt like it was being stabbed again and again. The freezing water had seeped into her bones and lungs, weighing her down. Back then, if she even choked on water, Theodore would rush to hold her, gently pat her back, and whisper softly in her ear. Now, left to fend for herself, Clarisse managed to crawl out of the pool. She was soaked and shivering, her hair and clothes dripping with water. Her eyes were bleak, stripped of all hope. "Theo, it was her! She pushed me!" Bianca clung to Theodore, tears streaming down her face as she struggled for breath. "She said I deserve to die because I stole you from her. She even said Caleb should never have been born!" Theodore snapped his head toward Clarisse, his icy gaze filled with accusation. Disbelief and anger twisted his voice as he demanded, "Clarisse, did you push Bianca?" Clarisse's voice was hoarse as she protested, "I didn't push her! She jumped herself and dragged me in!" "She jumped herself? And dragged you in?" Theodore scoffed, as if he'd just heard the biggest joke in the world. "Bianca would never do that! She treasures this baby more than her own life! This is Caleb's only hope! Clarisse, when did you become so vicious?" Vicious? The word felt like a blade plunging into Clarisse's chest. Was that how he saw her now? Suddenly, a small body slammed into her. Caleb's face twisted in anger, his little finger pointing at her as he screamed, "Bad woman! You're a bad woman! You tried to hurt my mommy! You want to kill my mommy! You're evil!" He slammed into Clarisse with all his might, sending a sharp pain shooting up her ankle. She lost her balance and fell backward into the cold pool again. The water rushed over her head, her ankle throbbing and her limbs weak. She tried to swim, but her body just kept sinking. "Help… Help me! Theo! Save me!" She fought to stay above water, terror rising in her chest. But Theodore, still holding Bianca, just watched her struggle, his voice utterly indifferent. "Leave her. She's putting on a show. She'll come up by herself." With that, he turned away, carrying Bianca back inside and never looking back. Despair flooded every inch of Clarisse's body as the darkness closed in. She remembered how Theodore once taught her to swim. Back then, if she so much as held her breath for less than a minute, he would panic and rush to scoop her out of the water, terrified that something would happen to her. Now, when her life was truly in danger, he thought she was pretending. The icy water dragged her down, and the darkness swallowed her whole.