Chapter 30

She said it like she meant every word. But the tears still fell—silent and unstoppable—soaking her shirt before she even noticed. Clara curled up on the couch, crying till her throat went dry, and only when her eyes refused to shed another tear did she finally try to sit up. The moment she stood, the world spun like mad. Darkness rushed over her vision, and even her ears buzzed like crazy... Somewhere in the chaos, a voice cut through—Frederick calling her name. It sounded distant... then suddenly right beside her. "Clara! Clara, what's wrong?!" Fred rushed over, fast as lightning, and caught her just in time. His face turned white as a sheet. She blinked at him, tried to speak, but before she could say a word, her knees buckled and she collapsed right into his arms. "Hey, stay with me... Clara..." ... Clara felt like she'd sunk into a dream she couldn't climb out of—long, heavy, and full of memories she didn't ask for. Just her and Eugene, over and over again. Her love. His hate. The