3/3
Lies, Love and Allure
Chapter 10 Fissure
“Dad, I-”
@x63%
+5 Pearls
“Don’t call me Dad! After all, I’m not really your father, and clearly, my words don’t mean anything to you anymore!” Hugh’s voice dripped with bitterness. The project that had been within his grasp was now gone, snatched away because of Clarissa, and handed to his biggest rival. More than the lost project, it was the humiliation that stung.
How could he face his peers again, knowing his own son–in–law had bypassed him for the project, giving it to someone else instead?
Now, he was the laughingstock of Oxbreach.
Clarissa stood there, her whole body feeling numb, cold to her core.
It was as if a thousand arrows pierced through her hear
The gloomy emotions forced her to bite down hard on her already pale, bloodless lips.
“Dad, no matter what you say today, I’m still going to divorce Chandler!” she declared with finality.
She owed the Stephensons for raising her, and she would repay that debt in any way possible.
But she couldn’t stay trapped in this marriage with Chandler any longer.
She had been stuck in this swamp for far too long.
“You dare!” Hugh was so enraged that he almost coughed up blood.
He raised his hand to strike her.
“Enough!”
His hand was caught midair by a set of long, slender fingers.
Though Chandler had intended to stay out of it, he was surprised to feel a stirring in his chest, a touch of compassion he hadn’t anticipated.
“Whether we divorce or not is between the two of us. No need for anyone else to get involved.”
Hugh’s fury had nowhere to go, and he certainly didn’t dare lash out at Chandler
After a struggle, he forced a grim smile onto his face.
“Chandler, you can’t be serious. I’m still Clarissa’s father, your father–in–law. All couples have their arguments, but using the word ‘divorce‘ so casually doesn’t that damage your bond?”
Chandler’s dark eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through.
Hugh’s forced smile wavered under the intensity of it.
Chandler finally let go of Hugh’s hand and nonchalantly pulled out a tissue, wiping his fingers as though he’d touched something unpleasant.
1/3
Chapter 10 Fissure
+5 Pearis
“If I remember correctly, five years ago, you made a public announcement when your real daughter returned and cut ties with Clarissa.
Gillian’s eyes widened in shock, her hands balling into fists at her sides.
She glared at Clarissa, her gaze full of venom.
Chandler was actually defending Clarissa!
Hugh’s expression turned awkward. “You can’t just erase over a decade of living together, right, Clarissa?”
Back when Clarissa was still acknowledged as the daughter of the Stephensons, Hugh and his wife had always called her name with warmth and affection.
But after everything changed..
A bitter feeling swept over Clarissa, and she lowered her head, “Yes,”
She couldn’t just sever ties after years of being raised by the Stephensons.
She couldn’t act like an ungrateful wretch.
That was why she felt trapped, and easily manipulated by Hugh.
Seeing Clarissa’s defeated expression, Chandler frowned slightly.
Just then, a servant rushed in from the kitchen. “Mr. Moreno, dinner is ready.”
Gillian swallowed her jealousy and quickly put on a bright smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“Well, let’s calm down, Dad, Chandler, Clarissa. Let’s all have dinner and stop arguing.
Hugh’s eyes flickered. “Sure, let’s eat.”
He glanced toward Clarissa.
Clarissa pressed her lips together and then looked up at Chandler.
Standing under the bright chandelier in the living room, dressed in all black, Chandler looked almost godlike, the light casting a radiant glow around him.
The moment their eyes met. Clarissa’s pupils constricted.
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and she bit her lip stubbornly. Let’s go. We should eat.”
Those words were her way of giving in.
Chandler frowned, a sudden spark of anger flaring up inside him.
“I’m not hungry. I’m leaving,” he snapped.
With that, he turned and walked toward the door.
“Chandler!”
2/3
Chapter 10 Fissure
Clarissa reached out to stop him, but he shrugged her off.
+5 Pearls
His eyes were cold, filled with mocking disdain. “What happened to all that fire? Now you’re just playing weak. That’s not like you.”
His words were like a punch to the chest, making Clarissa tremble with pain.
Her face turned pale, but she forced a smile.
How ridiculous.
How had I ever thought that Chandler would go along with me?
Chandler had never cared about her. Not even once.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her head and grinned. “So this is your thing, Mr. Moreno? You’ve got a taste for power games, huh? I didn’t peg you for the type to enjoy something a little SM.
SMP
What was that?
Chandler didn’t fully understand, but he could tell it wasn’t a compliment.
Ever since Clarissa had dropped her obedient act, her insults had become more creative and more cutting.
His lips curled into a cold smile.
“Oh? Is this your latest approach? Trying to win me over with this new face?”
“Stop dreaming!”
Clarissa sneered. “I treated you with decency because I thought you were worth it. But when I stop seeing you as human, you’re nothing to me
Smack!
A slap cut through the air.
It was not only silencing Clarissa but also snapping her head to the side.
Her lips split from the impact, fiery pain followed by the warm trickle of blood running down her chin.
In her eyes, a fissure appeared, something deep inside her shattering.
“Clarissal”
