Chapter 171

Claire's POV Two weeks without Lucius. I'd made my decision and I had to live with it, though Stella was already pacing restlessly inside me. "I still think we shouldn't have left him," she grumbled. "We need this time, Stella," I whispered, unlocking the door to my apartment. "Clear boundaries now will save us heartache later." The apartment felt emptier than usual. I tossed my keys onto the coffee table and collapsed onto the couch, mentally exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster. "Miss Pierce!" My landlady's voice called out, followed by a knock on my door. I dragged myself up to answer it. "Yes, Mrs. Henderson?" "You have a package," she said, handing me a manila envelope. "Came while you were out." I forced a smile. "Thank you." "You look tired, dear. Everything alright?" She peered at me with genuine concern. "Just a long day," I replied. "Well, rest up then." She nodded and headed back to her apartment downstairs. I closed the door and examined the package. When I saw the se