Chapter 9

Claire ran back to the rented apartment. Not far away, Amelia stood under an umbrella, anxiously waiting downstairs.

"Amelia, what are you doing here?" Claire slowed her pace.

Once home, Amelia took a towel to dry Claire's hair and said, "I was worried and came to check on you. With such heavy rain, why didn't you take a taxi?"

Claire responded lightly, "It's hard to hail one in the rain."

Amelia urged her to take a shower, and when she came out, Amelia had heated soup ready for her to warm her up.

As Claire drank the soup, Amelia hesitated before asking, "How are things between you and Liam?"

Claire paused for a moment, then continued sipping her soup, replying softly, "He won't divorce me. I can't find a lawyer willing to take on my case for now. But I have applied for separation. Even if he won't sign, the marriage can still end."

Amelia didn't press further.

Silently, she applied medicine to Claire's wounds. Seeing the injuries on Claire's fingers made Amelia's heart ache.

Once a talented student at the music academy, Claire had been sought after by many music masters. Even Emerson Blake, known as a musical genius, had visited several times, expressing his desire to mentor her.

Yet now, this girl, who once had a bright future, was playing the violin in a mall for just a few hundred bucks.

Claire sensed Amelia's thoughts.

She comforted Amelia, "Once Dad is better and Victor is out of prison, I'll continue my music studies."

A smile finally broke on Amelia's face. "I believe in you. We'll be musicians together one day."

Claire chuckled.

It had been a long time since she had laughed like that. When she smiled, she looked adorably like a kitten.

In the room, Claire sat on the edge of the bed, carefully wiping her violin.

Just then, her phone rang. It was the manager from the performance company, saying there was an upscale French restaurant opening the next day and they needed a high-level violin performance.

The manager cheerfully said, "I immediately thought of you, Claire. You can earn $5,000 for just four hours. It's easy money! I know you need it. We can split it fifty-fifty. Sounds like a good deal, right?"

$2,500 for four hours...

Claire jumped to her feet. Normally, she wasn't good at sweet-talking, but this time, she managed a few flattering words.

The manager specifically instructed, "Wear something nice tomorrow."

Claire assured him she would.

After hanging up, she couldn't help but hug her violin, caressing it gently.

Feeling elated, she went to pick out a suitable outfit.

After searching for a while, she found a white silk blouse paired with a black long skirt. As she touched the fabric, she fell into deep thought. This was the outfit she had worn when she was still Mrs. Coleman.

It had been a long time since she had last worn it.

...

The next evening, at a high-end French restaurant in the prime area of Beach Port, the place was brightly lit.

Waiters moved around with trays, bustling about the restaurant.

In a silk gown, Claire looked stunning. Her black hair was pinned up, adorned with a pair of pearl earrings, creating an unexpectedly beautiful look.

Under the crystal chandelier, her figure as she played the violin was gentle and elegant.

Outside the restaurant, a black Bentley was parked. Liam leaned against the car, smoking a cigarette, dressed in a black shirt and casual pants, looking more relaxed than his usual business attire.

The smoke he exhaled was immediately torn apart by the night breeze.

This was the first time Liam had seen Claire perform.

His gaze was filled with a mix of desire and a possessiveness he didn't quite understand.

He didn't enter the restaurant. Instead, he stood outside, watching.

He noticed several men were captivated by Claire, occasionally handing her their business cards, but Claire smiled politely and declined. She simply played her violin... Liam was quite pleased with that.

He thought to himself that as long as Claire came home with him, he could pretend her recent rebelliousness hadn't happened.

At half-past ten, the restaurant was closing down.

Claire packed away her violin and said goodbye to the restaurant manager, who was quite satisfied with her performance and paid her promptly, promising to call her for future gigs.

Claire thanked him again.

As she stepped out of the restaurant, Liam saw her and was about to call out to her when someone else beat him to it.

"Claire."

Claire turned toward the voice.

Colin had parked nearby and lowered the car window, waving at her. "Get in. I'll drive you home."

Claire felt their relationship was becoming too intimate.

Just as she was about to refuse, Colin pulled out a bag of food from the passenger seat. "My mom made your favorite ham and cheese sandwiches. She asked me to bring them to you."

Claire felt a bit embarrassed. "Mrs. Hill is so thoughtful. She remembers my favorite flavor."

Colin smiled warmly as he got out of the car to open the passenger door for her. "Get in. It's on my way. I can drop you home."

Claire found it hard to refuse.

Once inside, she buckled her seatbelt and said, "Thank you."

Colin held the steering wheel, glancing at her as she hugged the sandwich bag. His gaze was warm. "Eat if you're hungry. It's still warm."

But Claire didn't want to appear too close and was also afraid of dirtying his car, shaking her head. "I'd rather eat at home."

Colin didn't press her, gently pressing the gas pedal. A moment later, he cheerfully said, "Then take your time eating at home."

The white BMW slowly drove away.

About ten meters away, Liam watched the car leave, his expression darkening.

He took out his phone and made a call, quickly receiving a response.

Just as he thought, the restaurant's owner was Colin.

...

Perhaps due to exhaustion, Claire fell asleep in the car.

Even when the car stopped, she remained asleep.

Colin turned to look at her, taking in her delicate yet slightly weary face and the fragile body hidden beneath the silk gown. His gaze was intense. He had never looked at a woman with such earnestness before.

In his eyes, Claire had always been just a little girl.

But over the years, she had matured into a beautiful woman. The thought that Liam had shaped her into such an alluring figure made Colin's heart feel complicated.

He couldn't help but lean in, gently touching her soft, fair cheek, his voice slightly husky as he said, "I was the one who knew you first."

Claire stirred awake.

She opened her eyes and glanced around. "Did we arrive so soon?"

When she met Colin's gaze, she hesitated for a moment, tightening her grip on the sandwich bag.

Claire was a mature woman now, and she wasn't naive.

Whether it was the $2 million Colin had previously offered her or the sandwiches he had specially brought her now, these gestures had crossed the line of friendship.

After weighing her words, Claire spoke softly, "Colin, I can handle things at home. You don't have to worry."

Colin gazed at her quietly.

They were both adults, and he could tell what she meant. She had probably guessed his intentions and rejected him, likely fearing that Liam would make things difficult for him.

Colin didn't push her.

He lightly tapped the sandwich bag in her hands, offering a gentle smile. "Alright. If you need anything, just let me know."

It would be impossible for Claire not to feel a bit touched. At such a low point in her life, who wouldn't feel grateful for someone lending a helping hand?

But as adults, they had too many concerns.

After getting out of the car, Claire stood in the night breeze, watching the white BMW slowly drive away. Once the car was gone, she made her way toward the old apartment building.

The hallway lights had been broken for days, and since the building didn't have a property management service, no one had come to fix them. The corridor was shrouded in darkness.

Just as Claire prepared to turn on her phone's flashlight, a strong male arm wrapped around her body.

Her steps faltered as she was pressed against the wall of the hallway.

Through the window, a beam of moonlight spilled in, illuminating Liam's furious face, making him look as if he had caught her in the act.

She pushed against him, angrily saying, "Liam, let go of me."

Liam stared at her, his eyes cold. His hard body pressed against her softness, creating a painfully intimate position...

The sandwich bag slipped from Claire's hands.

Her delicate wrists were seized and held high above her head.

His masculine scent enveloped Claire, his warm breath brushing against her tender ear as he whispered, "Is it because of him that you want to divorce me?"

Claire shook her head, about to speak.

Suddenly, a soft, lingering moan escaped her lips...