Chapter 9: Claire’s POV
“Leo, we’ve been married for five years. You know me better than anyone. I would never purposely hurt anyone.” I’d be lying had I said that Charlotte’s constant attention–seeking, and intrusions into my marriage didn’t bother me. They absolutely did. But I’d rather talk to my husband about resolutions – not bludgeon Charlotte.
Leo stood there with his arms crossed and I felt a metaphorical knife to the pit of my stomach. He would never believe me when it came to Charlotte. I could my throat growing a lump. Tears threatening to escape and tried to control my urge to sob.
“Claire, she was hurt and you were the one who caused her injury.” He repeated himself as though this were a fact. It wasn’t. I didn’t hurt Charlotte.
Charlotte had set me up and trapped me once again. She was looking for a way to insert herself between Leo and I and she had found it.
“I understand she got hurt. But I didn’t hurt her.”
“Claire, you took her out. You should’ve been responsible for her and keeping her safe.” He takes a step forward, placing his hands on my shoulders and holding his gaze on me. “I’m not blaming you. I just want you to be take some accountability and apologize to Charlotte, so this whole matter can be
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Chapter 9: Claire’s POV
resolved.”
I knew this was yet another trap. He offered a simple resolution with a twist. If I apologized to Charlotte, like he’s been persuading me to, it would be a false confirmation that I really did hurt her and I’d be held responsible for that supposed behavior. I refuse to be blamed for any wrongdoings.
“No. I’m not apologizing for something I’d never do. I refuse to be held accountable for an accident.” I stand firmly on the premise of what I had said.
It’s probable that Leo would never believe Charlotte would intentionally push me down, cause herself to get injured and frame me.
He held an image in his heart where she was innocent, weak and needing of rescue.
–
“Leo, if this is all you came here to talk about then there’s nothing left to say.” The pain radiated through me as I said this. I then turned to leave without so much as caring about his reaction.
“Claire.”
I heard him calling me but I refused to look back. Having to defend myself was exhausting and speaking to Leo that way had broken me. My face stained with tears – the minute I turned to leave.
“Claire.”
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Chapter 9: Claire’s POV
I walked away at a faster pace to hide my emotions even though he hadn’t followed me.
I rushed out of the hospital and decided to call my best friend Jasmine.
Jasmine was my best friend even before Leo. He met in college. She was an aspiring fashion designer and I was an aspiring architect. Now she was a successful designer while I was a kept woman.
“Jas, I’m sorry I have to ask, but is it okay if I move in with you for a while?”
“Claire, are you okay? You sound like you’ve been crying.”
“Jas, he won’t believe me. He’ll never believe me.” The overwhelming sadness escapes – releasing all my emotions with it.
“Talk to me. I believe you.”
I told her everything that had happened. Jasmine cursed about Leonardo and Charlotte loudly over the phone.
It was nice to have some support and someone to believe me. Jasmine understood their worlds more than me. She was born into a rich family and had earned be about these kinds of things. I just didn’t listen.
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Chapter 9: Claire’s POV
“What do you think you should do?”
“I want a divorce.”
