Chapter 48: Claire’s POV
+25 BONUS
I watch from the window as Leo speaks on the phone with the leading detective of Matthew’s case. The conversation seemed like it went on for hours as I waited in anticipation. I check the clock as I hear him hang up. Seven minutes. It had only been seven minutes.
Lei opens the door for me and motions for me to accompany him to the town car. He opens the door for me and we sit in the parking lot for a moment. He hadn’t wanted to tell me the results of his call in public. This couldn’t be good.
“Claire, I spoke with my old friend Mason and he says there’s a lot of things that don’t make sense about this case. The first is that the anonymous tip was very specific, the second is that the drugs amounted in over one hundred thousand dollars, and lastly; Matthew never touched those drugs. There’s no evidence to prove that he ever has.” He states as he places a hand on my thigh to keep me grounded.
“So they’ll let him go?” I ask desperately. Matthew would be a father soon and he’s changed. He shouldn’t be in this place.
“That’s the thing. They need to find the origin of these drugs and who planted them to exonerare him. There’s just not enough evidence yet but they’re working on it.” He looks directly into my eyes as he waits for my reaction. I hear his breathing hold.
“But they’re going to help him?”
“Yes. Mason is the lead detective and he’s ordered his team to look for more evidence as to where the drugs came from. That’ll tell them where to look next.”
“Okay.” I say as I look down at my feet. Matthew wouldn’t be freed today but there was a chance and Leo had made that happen.
Im shocked as I feel his arms wrap around me and pull me to his chest. He holds me closely and begins stroking my hair. I can’t help but wonder if this was for my comfort or his.
He had been strong and careful after the attempted–kidnapping at my suite but he never expressed how he felt
until now.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly as I rest into his arms – allowing him to console us both.
“It’s been a hell of a time these past few months and I’m sorry.” He says huskily.
I look up at him and grab hold of his face. He was exhausted
“You don’t have to be sorry. You’re doing everything you can.” I say quietly as I run my thumb along his jawline. I see him rest his head gently against my touch and I’m reminded that under his powerful and wealthy exterior is a human being. He’s not made of stone – no matter how he portrays himself.
“Claire, I want to make this right. I just don’t know how.” He was referring to us.
“But there’s nothing wrong. You’re not doing anything wrong.” It was the truth. He had betrayed me in the past but he had changed. He was the man that I fell in love with all over again.
“Everything is wrong. We’re divorced. You’re living with your best friend. You’ve been kidnapped and they killed our child. Charlotte is in my home and you’re gone. Matthew is in jail and you were almost kidnapped again.” He was rambling–a sign that he was breaking
“But this isn’t your fault, Leo. Life just has a funny way of making people suffer sometimes.”
“Do you ever think about him?” He asks suddenly.
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Chapter 48: Claire’s POV
“Think about who?”
“Our son.” He asks quietly.
+25 BONUS
The truth was that I tried not to. Losing our son was the straw that had broken my back. That was the determining factor for me when it came to our divorce. But I’d find myself thinking back to the ultrasound photos and feeling the little flutters and movements inside. A product growing out of our love.
“I–I do.” I admit quietly as I’m taken back to that time.
“I would’ve loved to see him in an ultrasound or feel your stomach when he moved.” He says with a sigh. “Would you have wanted him?” I find myself asking in a whisper as the tears built. He made it almost crystal clear that kids weren’t a part of our plan. The birth control was a clear sign.
“More than anything.” He says with a small smile.
I never expected Leo to have wanted our child – especially after how he had treated me while I was pregnant. But hearing him admit that he would’ve loved our child fills me with heartbreak.
We sit in silence as the town car begins back to Jasmine’s house.
I look out the window and stare at the trees passing by as I try to hide the pain building in my chest.
“I know you may not love me anymore, Claire and I understand that but we could try again. We could try to have another baby. We could start over.” I close my eyes and silently sob as I hear his words.
“I don’t know if we can.” I whisper softly.
“You don’t have to decide today. I’m not going anywhere. He says as he rests his head back.
