Chapter 4

Claire held the car door handle but slowly let it go.

The atmosphere inside the car was tense.

Liam had just returned from a business trip and had also visited the Coleman Estate. He was somewhat exhausted, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other rubbing his temples. He spoke impatiently, "How long are you going to keep this up?"

To him, it seemed like she was just causing trouble.

Claire felt a chill in her heart. She sat up straight, staring ahead. After a moment, she spoke softly, "Liam, I'm serious. I don't want to be with you anymore."

Liam suddenly turned to look at her.

He was handsome, with well-defined features. Claire used to be infatuated with his face, but now she felt nothing at all.

Liam stared at her with his deep eyes as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Get out!"

With a small click, he unlocked the car.

Claire immediately got out and walked towards the villa entrance. In the dim light, her back was straight, as firm as her resolve to get a divorce.

Liam lit a cigarette before getting out of the car and following her upstairs.

Their conversation ended unpleasantly.

That night, Claire slept in the guest room. Liam was also angry and didn't bother to coax her. He changed into his pajamas and lay down but found himself unaccustomed to the empty space beside him.

In the past, no matter how cold he was towards her, Claire always liked to hug him from behind while sleeping.

In the morning, sunlight streamed into the bedroom.

Liam found it glaring and raised his hand to shield his eyes as he woke up.

Downstairs, there were faint sounds.

He recognized them as the maids setting up the dining room. Usually, Claire would help them with these tasks, and she always prepared his breakfast herself.

Feeling slightly better, Liam got out of bed and walked into the dressing room to change clothes.

The next moment, he noticed something was off.

Claire's suitcase was gone.

Liam opened the wardrobe and saw that she had taken several of her frequently worn clothes.

He stood still for a few seconds before closing her wardrobe. As usual, he selected a business suit, changed into it, and went downstairs while putting on his watch. He casually asked a maid, "Where is Claire?"

The maid replied cautiously, "Mrs. Coleman left early this morning with her suitcase. She didn't even call for the chauffeur."

Liam ignored it and sat down at the dining table for breakfast, his usual black coffee and whole wheat toast.

His attention was caught by the newspaper headlines.

They were filled with rumors about him and Sophie. The sensational headlines were eye-catching. After reading for a while, Liam asked the maid softly, "Did Claire read the newspaper before she left?"

The maid answered honestly, "Mrs. Coleman left without having breakfast."

Liam glanced at her before picking up his phone and calling Joanne. "Take care of those articles in the newspapers."

After a few words from Joanne and just as he was about to hang up, Liam loosened his tie slightly with his long fingers and added calmly, "Also, find out where Claire sold her wedding ring. I want it back by four this afternoon."

Joanne was stunned for a moment.

After a pause, she said, slightly surprised, "That's impossible! Mrs. Coleman loves you so much. There's no way she would sell her wedding ring."

Without a response, Liam hung up the phone directly.

He tossed his phone onto the dining table and looked at the news again. He had lost his appetite completely.

...

Claire returned to her home just as Amelia finished making soup to take to the hospital.

Seeing Claire carry her suitcase made Amelia uneasy.

She said with displeasure in her voice, "Every couple fights sometimes. It's normal for men to fool around. Sophie looks so plain, and more importantly, she can't walk. I've heard she's even divorced before. Such a woman won't affect your status."

"What status do I have with Liam?"

Claire smiled bitterly as she packed the soup into a thermos. "I'll visit Dad at the hospital later."

Amelia glared at her.

After a while, Amelia wiped her hands with a cloth and said angrily, "If your father knew you wanted a divorce, he'd probably be furious! Claire, think about this. Even if you can't live with him anymore, do you think you'll manage after the divorce? The Smith family is in such a state now. What will you rely on?"

Claire slowly tightened the lid on the thermos.

After securing it, she looked down and said softly, "There will be ways. The money from selling my wedding ring will cover Dad's medical expenses for six months. For Victor's legal fees... I'll sell this house too. Besides that, I'll find work to support us."

Her eyes grew moist as she spoke.

This house had been left by her mother. They had never wanted to sell it despite hard times before.

Amelia was stunned.

She stopped trying to persuade Claire but remained disapproving inside.

After settling things, they went to the hospital together.

Ryan's condition had stabilized after treatment, but he remained emotionally low due to concerns about Victor's future prospects.

Claire didn't mention anything about divorce.

In the afternoon, Ryan's attending doctor came for rounds.

Colin Hill held a PhD in medicine. He was young, yet an authority in neurosurgery, a tall man standing at 185 cm with an air of calm elegance.

After completing his examination on Ryan's condition, he glanced briefly towards Claire, saying, "Let's talk outside."

Claire hesitated briefly, then gently put down what she was holding, saying softly, "Dad, I'll be right back."

Moments later, they stood quietly along an empty corridor.

Noticing her unease, Colin offered an assuring smile, then lowered his head to review the medical records. "Last night, I discussed Mr. Smith's case with several department heads in surgery. We all unanimously recommend that he undergo customized rehabilitation therapy. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to return to his previous condition. It's just a bit pricey, at $150,000 per month."

For Claire, $150,000 was an astronomical figure.

Yet, she didn't hesitate and replied, "We'll accept the treatment."

Colin closed the file and quietly observed her.

In fact, they had known each other before, but Claire had forgotten.

When she was very young, he lived next door to her. He remembered that on summer evenings, the lights on the terrace outside Claire's bedroom would twinkle, and she would sit there longing for her mother.

She would ask him, "Colin, will Mommy come back?"

Colin didn't know. He had no way to answer. Now, as he looked at her, he recalled seeing the news of her marriage three years ago when he returned to the country. He had thought she married for love, but soon realized she wasn't living well.

Liam was cold to her, even harsh.

As Colin was about to speak, a cool voice interrupted from across the room. "Claire."

It was Liam.

Dressed in business attire, a dark gray shirt and black suit, he appeared to have come directly from the office. He walked toward them, the sound of his polished shoes echoing crisply in the corridor.

Moments later, he stood before them.

Liam extended his hand, his voice lazy yet slightly condescending as he greeted him, "Colin, it's been a long time."

Colin looked at the hand before him, smiled faintly, and shook it. "Mr. Coleman, glad to see you."

Liam released the handshake immediately and turned to Claire. "Let's go see your father first."

The air between the two men was charged.

Claire didn't notice. She didn't want to argue with Liam in front of Colin, so she nodded. "Dr. Hill, I'll head over first."

Colin offered her a slight smile.

As Claire walked with Liam toward the hospital room, neither of them spoke.

Ever since she decided to divorce, she no longer felt the need to carefully please him as she once did.

Approaching the door to the hospital room, Liam suddenly grabbed Claire's slender wrist, trapping her between himself and the wall, his gaze intense and complicated.

Just moments ago, Colin had looked at Claire as a man looks at a woman, his gaze carrying a hint of desire.

Liam gently caressed Claire's cheek, appreciating its pale delicacy.

"What were you two just talking about?" His voice was low and husky.

Claire tried to pull away, but Liam tightened his grip, pushing her back against him.

Their bodies were pressed closely together, his hard chest against her soft form.