Regretting Divorce

14 

While the lines of worry lessened around Cole’s mouth as the ladies seemed to notice his words, Claire scanned his face for visible lies. 

He could be lying to fool her. Unfortunately, all she saw was genuinity.. 

Moreover, he had no reason to lie. He may be Hunter’s best friend. he was supporting Claire. 

“Nice excuse but my friend and I are not imbeciles. That woman and rape… What a joke!” Penelope said, her words reduced the impact Cole’s 

announcement had created. 

She refused to believe that it happened. 

She cringed and added, I’m forced to wonder whether you are involved with Zara to destroy Claire’s relationship. Cole, tell me honestly, are you doing this because you are jealous of your best friend having a loving and faithful wife? You want to separate them because you never had a chance at true love. Ain’t I right?” 

ITy 

[your 

can’t say anything good, don’t open your stinking mouth, Penelope Baker.” Cole hissed out 

His eyes grew darker, and if looks could kill, he would have reduced Penelope into a mess of flesh, blood and broken bones. 

He somehow controlled his fury and spoke again, his eyes coming to rest on Claire’s face, “I was furious to see Hunter leaving you. So I followed him downstairs. I swear on Christ, Claire. I am not lying 

“I accompanied Hunter to the warehouse where Zara was…” He gritted his teeth and paused. “Zara was taken and physically tormented by a group of 

Claire was silent and lost. She couldn’t help but imagine a recently widowed woman getting kidnapped by a group of men and taken to an isolated place. The image that unfolded across from her eyes made her tremble. She came to her senses with tears. 

“How is she? I hope you didn’t let the culprits get away” She asked out of pity as a woman. 

However, Penelope scoffed beside her. Her eyes enlarged as she made a rebuking face. 

“Don’t tell me you believe him, Laire?” 

“Penny, please,” Claire covered her hand on the table and blinked her eyes. 

The ladies had a wordless conversation, which calmed Penelope down. Cole flickered his lashes as he was surprised to see such a moment unfold. 

How can one speak without using words? Must be a women’s thing. He thought and shrugged it off. 

When Claire looked at him again, he realized she was expecting an answer to the question she asked before she was disturbed by her annoying wild friend 

Cole made a face at the thought of Penelope before saying “Zara was naked and bleeding under them. Although Hunter and I held down two men. three of them took off. The said two are under police custody now 

Claire’s eyes froze on his face. Five men? She felt her chest burning with inexplicable ache. 

In that moment, she forgot that Zara was the parasite in her marriage, who sucked love and affection out of her relationship. She insisted Cole to take her to see Zara 

Penelope reluctantly followed them. A part of her was searing with disbelief. Her friend must have hit her head hard. Or else she wouldn’t insist on seeing the home wrecker who stole her husband from her. 

They arrived outside the operation theatre under which Zara was taken. Claire’s stomach churned as she watched nurses and doctors running in and out like crazy from time to time. It gave away Zara’s condition. 

She sat down on the bench with her friend as her weak legs couldn’t support her body weight for so long. Since she left in the middle of having her dinner, Cole brought her a sandwich. Despite her refusing to have it, Cole coerced her to gulp it down as she needed energy. 

She was in the middle of drinking water when she heard heavy footsteps. A familiar woodsy cologne ignited her senses. With the mouth of the bottle close to her lips, Claire turned her head to see her husband rushing towards them. 

A corrosive pain lacerated her chest because his face was a n 

mess. He had tear marks on his cheeks and redness lining his eyes. Though he wore a mask of coldness, one could still see the pain behind it. He was actually suffering. 

C 

2/2 

Their eyes met for a second. It felt like he wanted to say something to her. Claire got up to take a step towards him but he walked ahead as the door of the operation room behind her opened. 

“Did you get the blood, sir?” 

“Yes, it’s here” Hunter said in a scratchy voice as he lifted bags of blood in both his hands. 

Claire had missed seeing it. But as she observed the nurse who had accompanied the doctor take the bags of blood, her heart constricted. 

“How is she, doctor? Will she be fine!” Hunter asked. 

“It’s difficult to say anything now, sir. But we’re trying our best. The doctor had a mask on so it was hard to see his expression and compute the severity of Zara’s case 

*Acquisition of blood eliminates thirty percent of risks. While we try to eliminate the rest, what you all can do is pray. With our efforts and your prayers combined we can indeed bring her back to good health. He announced before returning to the operation room. 

Hunter’s shoulders slumped. He sagged against the wall and let his head fall back. As he stared at the whitewashed ceiling with moist felt pain cut through her heart like a sharp knife, 

Her husband was in tears. For the first time. And for whom? His ex–lover. 

cycs, Claire 

Although the humane part of her encouraged her to take a step towards him and console him, the tight hold of Penelope on her left hand. reminded her of her own pain and injury. 

She had been hospitalized after falling from stairs and yet there was no hint of sympathy in Hunter’s eyes. Whereas now, he was literally looking like a man who lost his valuable fortune. 

She kept looking at him until he closed his eyes. Cole did what her humane part wanted her to. He went to him and squeezed his shoulder, giving him strength with his words. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Though it was not audible what Cole said, what Hunter replied to it blared in Claire’s ears as if it was playing in a big speaker near her ears. 

“She’s my life, Cole. I made it through with her memories so far. How will I live if something happens to her?” 

Instantly her eyes lowered and she started feeling dizzy, Claire’s stomach twisted and knees began to tremble. 

Suddenly her chest became heavy and breathing became difficult. She wanted to get out of there. Out of the reach of his shadow too 

She tried to get up, except that her feet were too frail to hold her weight. Since she was half way up on her legs, Claire came crashing down on her 

knees. 

The… 

It doesn’t look like a sham! Zara is indeed hurt. 

What should Claire do now] 

With Hunter being so obvious and loud with his feelings, should she still hold onto him? What are your thought on this? Let us know through 

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