Chapter 7

Claire looked disheveled.

Liam, however, remained impeccably dressed, with only a slight dampness on his dark trousers.

There was a hint of sensuality and decadence.

Claire's hands trembled uncontrollably, and several times she couldn't grasp the tiny, delicate buttons.

Liam stood by, looking down at her without any intention of helping.

He habitually touched his cufflinks but didn't find them, causing his brow to furrow.

He still hadn't found those cufflinks, but he couldn't bring himself to ask at this moment.

After a long while, Claire finally finished tidying up.

She looked up at Liam, who was also looking at her with an inscrutable gaze. Claire didn't want to understand it. Her tone carried a hint of weariness as she spoke up, "Liam, I'm really tired. Let's part ways amicably!"

With that, she opened the door and walked out.

This time, Liam didn't stop her.

He just stood there, watching Claire's departing figure. After a long time, he lowered his eyes and smiled coldly.

Most divorced couples wouldn't end up well.

How many of them could truly part ways amicably?

...

When Claire left the Coleman Tower, her legs were still trembling.

The skin touched by Liam still burned as if on fire, as though it retained the sensation of Liam's touch... His words echoed in her mind.

"Come back to me. You will still be Mrs. Coleman."

"Do you think you can leave as you please, or that I have such a good temper to be easily manipulated?"

...

Those words made it hard for Claire to breathe.

She wandered outside for a long time before returning to her rented apartment.

A 60-square-meter shabby apartment with only the most basic furniture, it was worlds apart from the Smith Estate. Amelia stood silently in the narrow living room for a long time.

Claire knew she wasn't used to it, but this was all she could afford for now.

In the kitchen, Amelia was making soup again.

Seeing Claire return, she stopped what she was doing. "How is your brother?"

Claire didn't mention Liam. She lowered her head to change her shoes at the door and said softly, "Victor asked me to find a lawyer named Sebastian. He said he could help us with the lawsuit."

"Sebastian?"

Amelia looked pensive and said, "I think I've heard that name. Anyway, find him if you can. If he's really capable, your brother might get out."

Claire nodded. "I just called Amanda and asked her to help me find out."

She had known Amanda since childhood.

After graduating from college, Amanda became a model and traveled around the world with extensive connections.

Hearing Amanda Bower's name made Amelia's expression complicated.

She used to dislike Claire associating with Amanda, thinking Amanda was part of the entertainment industry with a complex background. She never expected they would need her help now.

Amelia was silent for a moment.

She served Claire a bowl of soup before she said, "Drink this. It's good for your health. You've lost weight recently. By the way, are you starting work at the training institute next week?"

Claire looked down at the soup and said softly, "I'm not going. I'll look for another job."

Amelia sat down beside her, asking, "What happened?"

Claire didn't want her to worry and pretended to be relaxed. "Liam talked to someone there... They turned me down. It's okay, Amelia. I can find another job. There are plenty of job listings in the newspaper."

She thought Amelia would scold her.

But Amelia was silent for a long time before saying, "It'll be fine once your brother is out."

She got up and went to the kitchen.

Soon after, Amelia's voice came from the kitchen with some restraint. "Claire, do you think I'm so heartless that I would force you to live under Liam's shadow? How could your father and I not know what kind of person he is? But what can we do? If Victor can't get out, what will you do in the future?"

Amelia started crying as she spoke.

Claire felt sad too but suppressed her emotions. She gently leaned against Amelia's shoulder from behind. "Amelia, I've grown up. Even without Victor, I can take care of this family."

Hearing this, Amelia cried even harder.

Claire searched for days but couldn't find a suitable job.

She knew that higher-end institutions had likely been warned off and wouldn't hire her, leaving her to lower her expectations and join a performance company. It wasn't really a company, though. They just performed at stores' openings and business events and got paid per show.

Claire was beautiful and played the violin well.

The manager offered her $300 per show. When there was more work, Claire had to perform three or four times a day. She played at least six hours daily. Her slender fingers developed calluses and blisters.

Life was tough with constant running around, but Claire never regretted it.

She never called Liam. He didn't either. Occasionally, she saw news about him attending banquets or acquiring companies.

In every event, Liam looked dignified and distinguished.

In the past, Claire sometimes accompanied him at these events, watching him glow in front of everyone and quietly admiring him.

But now, those memories felt distant and unfamiliar to Claire.

...

In the evening on the hospital rooftop.

Claire sat quietly with an ice-cold cola she had just bought from a small shop beside her. She wouldn't have drunk such beverages before because she thought they were unhealthy, but now she occasionally did.

Colin arrived then, wearing his white coat as a surgeon.

He stood beside Claire silently, watching the sunset with her.

As the last ray of golden light disappeared, Claire turned around and saw Colin. She quickly stood up, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Dr. Hill."

Colin's gaze held memories and warmth as he looked at her, making Claire feel uneasy.

At that moment, Colin looked into the distance, speaking softly, "Claire, when we were kids, you called me Colin. On summer nights, you liked sleeping in small tents, and my mom always brought you fruit... Over these years, she's missed you."

Claire was stunned for a long time and finally recalled.

She softly called out, "Colin."

The word carried some bitterness when spoken because during those years with Colin around, Claire lived carefree as the Smith family's beloved princess.

When they met again, however, everything changed drastically.

Colin turned his head quietly, watching her.

Then he took out a bank card from his pocket, saying, "There's $2 million inside. The password is your birthday. It's enough to cover Mr. Smith's medical expenses."

Claire refused, saying, "I can earn money myself, really."

Colin noticed several band-Aids on her fingers, which were no longer smooth like before.

His throat tightened as he slightly said, "Claire, there's no need for such hardship."

He then went to grab the first aid kit to tend to her wounds. Once he was done, Claire gently curled her delicate white fingers and spoke softly, "In the past, I always lived under the protection of others, without a sense of self. Yes, I have nothing now. But I'm only 24. I want to rely on my own efforts and start anew."

After saying this, she looked up at Colin.

As always, he gazed back with warmth, his eyes holding a hint of depth.

Claire spent only two hours in the hospital. By seven in the evening, she rushed off to a bar for her shift.

By the time she finished work, it was nearly midnight.

With her violin slung over her shoulder, Claire walked down the deserted street. A cool breeze swept past, and she hugged herself tightly to stave off the shivers.

In the late night, the neon lights along the street flickered dimly.

On the massive screens of the skyscrapers, tabloid news aired, showcasing the city's nighttime splendor.

"Recently, Beach Port's business magnate, Liam Smith, was spotted flying to Hellington to spend a romantic Christmas with his beloved."

In the footage, Liam was seen pushing Sophie's wheelchair, cornered by reporters in the elevator.

Liam's expression in the video was one of annoyance.

Claire thought to herself that it was probably because he had been caught on camera that he looked so irritated.

The latter part of the news featured an interview with Sophie. She smiled sweetly at the camera. "I had a wonderful Christmas. Moving forward, I hope my legs get better, and I also wish to learn the violin from the musical genius, Mr. Blake... What does Mr. Coleman mean to me? Mr. Coleman is the most important man in my life."

After saying this, a flicker of guilt crossed Sophie's eyes.

Four years ago, she had impersonated Claire, making Liam believe that it was she who played the violin for him every day.

She was afraid Liam would discover the truth.

But soon enough, she convinced herself that Liam wouldn't know. After all, when Liam woke up, it was she who was holding the violin in his hospital room.

In the deep of night, on the streets of Beach Port, Claire stood quietly, tilting her head slightly as she watched Liam's gentle gestures toward another woman on the big screen.

Only when she felt the cold creeping in did she come back to her senses, whispering softly, "So, Christmas has come."

With her violin on her back, she turned and walked away.

The streetlights on either side stretched her silhouette long and thin...