Chapter 601

The night in Marigoldia was calm and soothing, with the sound of waves gently hitting the shore drifting through the villa's floor-to-ceiling windows, like an endless lullaby.

Claire stood on the balcony, her phone pressed to her ear, the night breeze tousling her still-damp hair.

"Hey, Mom, it's me." Claire's voice was soft, careful not to disturb Joseph, who was showering in the bathroom. "I have some news."

On the other end, Evangeline seemed to become alert immediately. "Claire? Calling this late, what's up?"

In the background, the faint beeping of hospital machines could be heard. Claire's half-sister, Xyla, was still in the hospital undergoing treatment.

"I'm fine." Claire instinctively touched the scrape on her arm, deciding not to mention today's harrowing experience. "It's about Finnegan. He found out today that Jett, Mabel's son, isn't his."

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a burst of hearty laughter. "Karma! That's pure karma!"

Evangeline's voice was filled with the satisfaction of years of pent-up resentment being released. "Finnegan spent his whole life wanting a son, and he ended up raising someone else's for thirteen years!"

Claire could imagine Evangeline's expression at that moment. Those eyes, so similar to her own, must be shining brightly.

She remembered how, when she was little, Evangeline would silently endure Finnegan's complaints about not having a son. Even after their divorce, the shadow of that marriage still affected Evangeline.

"He's in his fifties now. It's not realistic for him to have more kids."

Evangeline's tone gradually calmed down. "So now, you're his only daughter."

Claire looked out at the moonlight shimmering on the sea. "I've already cut ties with him, Mom."

"Then let Finnegan grow old alone!"

Evangeline's voice rose again. "He brought this on himself!" Then her tone turned concerned. "Claire, how have you been? Is Joseph treating you well?"

Listening to Evangeline's rambling concern, Claire's eyes grew warm.

She briefly inquired about Xyla's condition and reassured her mother before hanging up.

The bathroom door opened, and Joseph walked out, drying his hair, the fresh scent of his shower gel filling the room.

He saw Claire's silhouette on the balcony and quietly walked over, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"You called your mom?" Joseph's chin rested on Claire's shoulder, his voice relaxed from the shower.

Claire leaned into Joseph's embrace and nodded. "She was really happy. She said it's Finnegan's karma."

Joseph chuckled softly, his warm breath brushing against Claire's ear. "It really is karma. A man who doesn't cherish his daughter deserves this."

He turned Claire around, examining the scrape on her face in the moonlight.

The doctor in him couldn't resist gently touching the edge of the wound with his fingers. "Does it still hurt?"

Claire shook her head.

What was physical pain compared to the heartache of being betrayed by family? These scrapes were nothing.

But she didn't say that out loud. Instead, she held Joseph's hand. "Let's go to bed. I'm tired."

The morning sunlight, like melted honey, streamed through the sheer curtains, filling the bedroom.

Three-year-old Gabriel and Travis burst into Zoey and Henry's room, jumping onto the bed.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Travis plopped down on Henry's stomach, nearly knocking the wind out of him as he was still half-asleep. "Is Claire back? Did Jett hurt her?"

Zoey scooped up Travis, planting a kiss on his chubby cheek. "Claire's fine. She came back last night."

She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was only 7:30 AM.

Gabriel had already climbed onto Henry's back, hanging on like a little monkey. "We want to see Claire! Right now!"

With Gabriel and Travis causing such a ruckus, any hope of more sleep was gone.

Zoey and Henry exchanged a smile and reluctantly got up to get ready.

Twenty minutes later, the family stood in front of Claire and Joseph's villa.

As soon as Claire opened the door, Gabriel and Travis rushed in, hugging her legs from either side.

"Claire!"

"We missed you so much!" Their childish voices overlapped.

When squatting down to make eye contact with the children, the sleeve of her nightgown slipped, revealing the scrape on her arm.

Gabriel's sharp eyes noticed it immediately, his little face scrunching up. "You're hurt! Did Jett do this?"

His tiny fists clenched tightly. "I'm going to hit him!"

Travis also leaned in, his big eyes filling with tears. "Does it hurt? I'll blow on it for you."

He puffed up his cheeks and gently blew on Claire's scrape, his earnest expression melting her heart.

Claire's eyes grew warm.

She gently hugged Gabriel and Travis. "I got hurt by accident. It's nothing."

Claire hesitated for a moment, deciding to give the kids an explanation they could understand. "And Jett accidentally hurt his head. He's in the hospital now."

Gabriel's eyes widened, his anger turning to surprise. "Did he bleed?"

"He bled a lot." Claire nodded, watching as Gabriel and Travis's expressions shifted from anger to sympathy, a soft spot in her heart being touched.

Travis tugged on Gabriel's shirt. "Then we won't hit him."

He tilted his head, thinking. "He's already having a hard time."

Zoey watched from the side, unable to suppress a smile.

This was the world of children, where love and hate were so simple and pure.

She ruffled her sons' hair. "Alright, little warriors, how about we go have breakfast? I heard there's a chocolate fountain today."

"Chocolate!" Gabriel and Travis immediately forgot about their revenge plans, bouncing off towards the dining room.

The adults followed, exchanging amused smiles.

Celine was already waiting in the dining room, waving them over.

Sunlight filtered through the palm leaves, casting dappled shadows on the white tablecloth.

Breakfast was a lavish buffet, with everything from fresh tropical fruits to made-to-order waffles.

Gabriel and Travis were each allowed a cup of chocolate from the fountain, carefully dipping their fruit, their faces full of concentration.

"Claire, have a strawberry!" Travis suddenly held up a chocolate-covered strawberry, offering it to Claire. "It'll make you feel better!"

Claire opened her mouth to take it, the sweet chocolate melting on her tongue, mingling with the tartness of the strawberry.

At that moment, all the shadows seemed to be chased away by the children's innocence.

Looking at her loved ones, dear friends, and these two adorable little boys, Claire suddenly felt that maybe, just maybe, the world was still a beautiful place.

The sun was warm, the sea breeze gentle, and amidst the laughter and joy, a new day began.