The sky outside the hospital ward's window grew dark, and an unshakable unease crept into Claire's chest.

Curtis sensed her distraction. His eyes dimmed, and with a trembling voice laced in feigned vulnerability, he spoke up with reddening eyes.

"Clairy, can you stay with me tonight? I'm really scared. Please… don't leave me alone."

Tears began to spill down his cheeks as he choked back sobs, looking utterly pitiful.

Instinctively, Claire felt the urge to agree. But just as the words reached her lips, a flash of Ashton's pale face and reddened eyes as he endured the fear and pain during the abduction crossed her mind.

For some reason, a sharp prick pierced her chest, like tiny needles burrowing deep, leaving behind a lingering ache.

She furrowed her brows and gently refused. "Matilda has been arrested. You don't have to worry about her anymore. Ash was badly shaken this time, so I 

Before Curtis could finish his sentence, Claire yanked her hand free.

"I'm going to find Ash. Don't make this harder than it already is. Also, once you're discharged, move back home. And find time soon to finalize the divorce."

Leaving those words behind, she turned and ran. She raced downstairs, flagging a cab in a panic, her breath catching as she frantically dialed Ashton's number over and over again.

Every time, the mechanical voice was the same. "The number you've dialed is currently unavailable…"

Still, she clung to a sliver of hope. Perhaps his phone had died, therefore he couldn't answer her call. Once she got home, she would finally see her lover, she thought.

Claire continuously urged the cab driver to drive faster. At last, she arrived home, only to open the door and step into an eerily clean, empty apartment.

She froze.

The throw pillow Ashton used on the couch was gon

The call rang several times. Just as it was about to disconnect, someone finally picked up.

"Listen up, Claire Lawson. Bring Curtis Miller back immediately. If I don't see him in 15 minutes, you can forget about ever seeing your boyfriend again!"

The moment Claire saw the knife pressed against Ashton's neck, panic surged through her.

"Don't hurt him! Where are you? I'll come to you immediately! Curtis, Matilda Carney has abducted Ash! Quick, tell her not to hurt him!"

The camera shifted slightly, and Curtis' face came into view. "Matilda?"

Matilda stared at him with wild, burning eyes. "It's me, Curtis. You said you'd marry me. I gave up everything for you. You can't just leave me behind…"

Her voice grew more agitated with every word, and the blade in her hand dragged across Ashton's neck, leaving a shallow cut.

He gasped sharply in pain.

Claire's heart seized at the sight. "Don't touch him! Ash, I'm coming to get you now! You'll be alright!"

Seeing the panic written all over her face, Ashton felt his eyes sting. He clenched his jaw, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

Little did he know, Curtis' following words would fill his veins with ice.

"Clairy, relax! She's not even Matilda. Look, Mr. Gill—I swear there's nothing between me and Clairy. You really didn't have to go this far just to test her feelings."

Claire's expression shifted. Her brows furrowed, and a flicker of hesitation appeared in her eyes.

At that instant, Ashton's heart plummeted. "This is not an act, Claire. Just this once—believe me, just once…"

With a blade pressed to his throat, he could no longer afford pride. He pleaded with her, desperate and raw.

On the other end, Curtis only sighed, looking helpless. "Stop pushing her, man. Will you stop all this if I just say I'll leave?"

By then, Claire's face turned completely cold. "I don't have time for your games, Ashton. Even if you really were abducted today, I still wouldn't let Curt leave!"

With those words, she hung up without hesitation.

Ashton stared blankly at the screen, numb, as if submerged in ice.

From behind came Matilda's furious voice. "I guess there's no one to blame but your traitor-girlfriend. In your next life, pick better."

…

When Ashton opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in a hospital bed. Claire was sitting at his bedside, watching him nervously.

"Ash, you're awake! Are you feeling okay? Does it hurt anywhere?"

His mind was still a blur. What he hadn't forgotten, however, was how she had believed Curtis and left him in danger without hesitation.

If his neighbour hadn't shown up in time to save him, he might not even be alive now.

"I'm sorry. I was truly wrong. I shouldn't have doubted you. Please don't be mad at me, okay? I've never met Matilda, and there was no way I could've realized it was really her—"

Ashton pulled his hand away from her grip and interrupted her coldly. "And Curtis? He didn't recognize Matilda either?"

Claire froze, her whole body tensing. Her voice came out hoarse and strained.

"It was too dark. Curtis just didn't recognize her at first. When he realized it really was Matilda, he cried for a long time out of guilt.

"Anyway, now that Matilda has been arrested, will you please not hold it against him? Ash, you're the kindest person I know…"

Ashton had almost lost his life, yet by shedding a few tears, Curtis had Claire begging for forgiveness on his behalf.

At that moment, a nurse barged in. "Ms. Lawson, Mr. Miller has awakened. He's crying, saying he wants to see you."

This time, Claire didn't leave immediately. Instead, she stubbornly looked at Ashton.

With a tug of his lips, he said, "Go. I need some rest, anyway." 

He turned his back toward her before closing his eyes.

Assuming he had agreed to forgive Curtis, Claire gently tucked the blanket around him.

"I'm going to check on him, but I'll be back to stay with you soon!" she promised, hurrying out with the nurse the next second.

A few minutes later, Ashton quietly completed the discharge paperwork himself and hailed a cab from the roadside.

On the way, a message popped up on his phone—a photo from Curtis.

In it, Claire was kneeling on the floor, carefully helping him put on his shoes, holding his ankle with the tenderness of someone devoted.

As he watched the "typing…" bubble appear on the screen, Ashton didn't even hesitate before blocking the number on the spot.

Back home, he walked straight into the study, opened the safe, and took out the fake marriage certificate. Without a second thought, he tore it to shreds and threw the pieces into the trash.

Then, he grabbed his suitcase and headed straight for the airport.

From that moment on, Claire would no longer be a part of his future.

The sky outside the hospital ward's window grew dark, and an unshakable unease crept into Claire's chest.

Curtis sensed her distraction. His eyes dimmed, and with a trembling voice laced in feigned vulnerability, he spoke up with reddening eyes.

"Clairy, can you stay with me tonight? I'm really scared. Please… don't leave me alone."

Tears began to spill down his cheeks as he choked back sobs, looking utterly pitiful.

Instinctively, Claire felt the urge to agree. But just as the words reached her lips, a flash of Ashton's pale face and reddened eyes as he endured the fear and pain during the abduction crossed her mind.

For some reason, a sharp prick pierced her chest, like tiny needles burrowing deep, leaving behind a lingering ache.

She furrowed her brows and gently refused. "Matilda has been arrested. You don't have to worry about her anymore. Ash was badly shaken this time, so I need to get back and be with him.

"It's getting late anyway. Try to get some rest. I'll visit you a

Chapter 9