Chapter 59 Not A Penny
Claire
I guess I have no choice. The person he’ll have to speak to now is my lawyer.
“Don’t think about it too much,” I said, trying to sound calm. “You shouldn’t let it get to you.”
Inside I was furious, so angry I wanted to throw something across the room in a fit of rage.
“Have you guys had something to eat?” I asked, trying to shift the mood and lighten the house a little.
Riette nodded. “Yeah, we stopped at a restaurant on our way here.”
I smiled at him.
I turned to Max, whose face was still a bit twisted.
“I didn’t plan for you and your sister’s holiday to be like this,” I said apologetically.
He chuckled. “No need. We had fun at Gramps’.”
I chuckled too.
“Speaking of which, I should go check on your sister,” I said.
Max shook his head. “No need. I’ll talk to her myself. You should rest. I don’t want you fainting on me again,” he muttered.
I laughed softly.
My mind drifted back to Liam.
Having Isa there clearly made him uneasy. I’d half expected him to make a scene at the restaurant, but he stayed calm, though I could tell he was a little upset.
He just wanted time with me alone.
That reminded me… where is he planning to take me tomorrow? I wonder.
I shook my head. I have a bigger matter to deal with right now.
While Max talks to his sister, I need to speak to my lawyer.
Ian, I’ll make your life a living hell. You will regret everything you’ve done to me and the kids. That’s a promise.
I will make you beg. I will make you wish you had never taken this path in life. I’ll drag you back down to the ground I picked you up from and polished you on — that I promise.
While Max headed toward his sister’s room, I went upstairs to mine with Riette staying behind. The first thing I did when I got there was dial Mr. Richards’ number. He picked up soon enough.
“Hello, Madam Anthony,” his voice came through.
I swallowed. Here it is. I’m doing it now.
“Mr. Richards, good day,” I greeted.
“And to what do I owe this call?” he asked.
Mr. Richards has been my lawyer for a very long time. I don’t just call him randomly, and he knows that. When I do call, it’s never for petty things.
“I’m planning to get a divorce from my husband,” I said, voice clipped.
His side went silent for a moment before he spoke again.
“I’m sorry for asking, but is there a reason for it?”
I sighed. I was prepared for this.
“Yes. It seems my husband and I have fallen out of love with one another. I want out.”
Silence again. Then:
“You have to give me something, Mrs. Claire, if you want the procedure to move quickly.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.
“I found out my husband has been cheating on me for over a year now. We’ve already been separated for a while… and I have also—” I paused, then continued, “I have also found someone, although temporarily. But I don’t think Ian and I can ever work it out. We’ve gone too far.”
He’s my lawyer. I have to tell him everything.
“Do you have evidence of his affairs from over a year ago?” Mr. Richards asked.
“Yes,” I answered quickly. “If you want it, I can send it to you right now.” I was already pacing the room.
“Good, Mrs. Claire. Then I can assure you we have no problem, madam.”
I let out another sigh of relief.
“But—” I added, voice hardening, “I don’t want him taking what is mine, Mr. Richards. Not even a penny.”
“It is done, ma’am. You don’t need to worry. Just send me the evidence and I’ll take care of everything.”
I nodded again, even though he couldn’t see it.
This is it. There’s no turning back now.
I’ll crush him with everything I have. That madness in his eyes will be wiped out once I’m through with him.
Max
Outside, I might look composed and calm, but inside there’s a storm raging, desperate to break free. I have to hold it together. I have to be strong. I have to pretend I’m the reasonable one.
Coming home, I never expected to walk into a broken family. If someone had told me Dad would one day cheat on Mom, I would’ve laughed it off. But here it is, real and ugly.
And now she’s gone and done the same thing.
I never wanted any of this to be true. But the way he sounded on the phone, like it wasn’t even his problem, told me everything I needed to know. My parents getting a divorce was never on my to-do list. Yet here it is, laughing right in my face. The once-good family crashing down because of Dad’s recklessness.
I stood outside Isa’s door and knocked. No answer. When I tried the handle, it turned — she hadn’t locked it. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
She was lying face down on the bed, her body shaking slightly.
“Isa,” I called softly.
She lifted herself up to sit, face pale, streaked with tears. Seeing my twin like that cracked something inside me. Slowly I walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. I sighed.
“Why is this happening now of all times, Max?” she asked.
I had nothing good to say, so I just reached out and placed my hand over hers.
“I don’t know why,” I said quietly. “But you need to accept it, Isa, Dad did cheat on Mom. And now everything’s fallen apart.”
She nodded slowly, tears still falling.
“You should have seen him, Max,” she said, voice small. “The way he was with Mom.”
“You mean Mom’s boyfriend?”
She nodded and sniffed. “For a while… it felt like he knew Mom more than any of us. The way he looked at her… those two have gone real deep.”
A small frown pulled at my face. A lump rose in my throat.
“That’s nuts, Isa,” I said.
She met my eyes. “He looked so dangerous, Max. The kind of man who controls. That’s what he felt like.” Her gaze drifted somewhere far off. “I don’t know… but one thing tells me that guy is bad news.” she added.
I know Isa. I know she doesn’t want to believe what’s happening in this house. But the way she’s talking about Mom’s boyfriend… I’m not going to overlook it.
“Tell me, Isa, was he really that intimidating?” I asked.
She nodded, meeting my eyes straight on.
“Not just that… he was acting like he owned Mom too.”
I looked at her, surprised. He was acting like he owned her?
I took a deep breath. God, I wish I’d been the one who stayed behind and met him myself.
“How did he look?” I asked, suddenly needing to know everything about this guy — Mom’s boyfriend.
Isa stayed quiet for a moment, like she was carefully choosing her words. Then she swallowed.
“For one…” she started, “he’s really handsome.”
I froze. Completely caught off guard. My eyes widened.
She nodded again. “Like… hot. Hot hot.”