Chapter 47: Claire’s POV
Chapter 47: Claire’s POV
+25 BONUS
We spend the rest of our time automating Matthew and asking him about Starla. It was the only way to make light of the conversation we had previously and I could see that it did that for Matthew. His eyes lit up at the thought of her and becoming a father. An opportunity I never got to experience. After a few minutes, a guard arrives.
“Time’s up!” He says abruptly. I see Matthew lower his head and rise to his feet to be chained back up and returned to his cell.
“Matthew.” I say as I jump up to hug him. It pained me to see what he had to go through.
“I love you, Claire and I’m sorry for everything I put you through before.” I didn’t know if it was his current position that made him vulnerable or if that was something he just never had the courage to say but it broke me. I hugged him tightly. He was my baby brother and as his protector, I had failed him.
The guard instructs me to release him and I stand there – watching as they take him away. Every fiber of my body was tinged with pain.
I look back at Leo, who was still in his seat, watching our whole encounter and I break. He runs to my side, wrapping his arms around me and holding my head against his chest.
“Claire, we’ll get him out. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure of it. It’s going to be okay.” I feel him stroking my hair as I sob.
I wasn’t just crying to Matthew. I was crying because loss was eminent in the last few months that had become my life. I lost my husband long before the divorce, I lost my anniversary to a woman that shouldn’t have mattered more than me, I lost our child – my son, I lost my confidence, and I was losing my baby brother.
Whoever’s done this has no care for the hurt they’ve caused and maybe that hurt was their motive.
I feel Leo cup my face.
his hands and move my face to make eye contact with him.
“I will not rest but we find out who’s responsible for this. I will not leave your side as long as you’ll allow me to be there and I promise you, I will fix this, Claire.” I nod in acceptance to his words as he wipes my escaped tears. He then lowers his face to meet mine and plants a soft and sweet kiss on my lips. A kiss that I return out of habit and impulse. I knew the last part of his proclamation had more to do with us than Matthew but I felt more comforted by his words.
“Let’s go get our identification and get started on our next steps. Okay?” He looks at me for any confirmation. I lace my hand in his and we leave the visitation area.
