+5 Pearls
Chapter 11 Desperate Departures
Hugh never expected it. In just a few days, Clarissa’s attitude had changed so much, it shocked him.
“Hurry up and apologize to Chandler, or I swear I’ll beat you to death today!”
Clarissa’s eyes were turning red as Hugh pointed in her face and yelled at her. She bit back her tears and stared at him with defiance.
“For five years, I’ve done everything you asked of me. I’ve bent over backward trying to please Chandler, all to help you and the Stephensons. Haven’t I done enough for you already?”
She couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer, and they rushed out like a flood. “Or maybe just tell me- how much do you think I’m worth? What price would cover the 18 years you raised me?
“I’ll
pay you back in one lump sum, principal and interest. That’s better than being treated like some emotionless object for you to squeeze dry!”
For the first time in five years, Clarissa fought back!
Hugh was stunned.
It was Gillian who recovered first. “Clarissa!” she exclaimed.
“What are you saying? How could you talk to Dad like that? What do you think he is? What do you think Chandler is?
“So all the love Mom and Dad gave you–was it just a shackle to use you and exploit you in your mind?”
Clarissa trembled. She lifted her head. Her face was pale, drained of all color, but her eyes were. unwavering.
“If it’s not, then why can’t I divorce Chandler?”
In the past, maybe moral pressure would’ve made her back down, maybe she would’ve surrendered.
But this time, Clarissa was truly done with Chandler.
And along with that, she had
woken up to something else.
It was time to live for herself!
“Isn’t love supposed to support me in doing what I want?”
Gillian furrowed her brows. “It’s because we love you that we can’t just stand by and watch you knowingly sink deeper into a mistake!
“You twisting Mom and Dad’s love like this–it’s beyond disappointing!”
The way she said it, as if everything was Clarissa’s fault
Clarissa let out a bitter laugh. Then just think of me as stubborn and ungrateful.”
With that, she turned and walked out, not caring what expressions everyone had on their faces.
1/3
11:40 Thu, Nov 14
Chapter 11 Desperate Departures:
She was exhausted. She couldn’t worry about anyone che anymore.
She couldn’t even take care of herself. How was she supposed to have any energy left to care about other?
It was like a joke.
Clarissa’s figure grew smaller as she walked away–slim, fragile.
Her back was still straight, and her shoulders didn’t shake at all.
But as Chandler watched, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of desolation.
Almost instinctively, he reached out, as if he wanted to stop her.
“Chandler.” Gillian grabbed Chandler’s raised hand. Talk to Clarissa for me, would you?
“I know it’s because of me that she’s become distant from Mom, Dad, and you.
“But no matter what, she shouldn’t twist the love you all have for her.”
She spoke as if everything was for Clarissa’s sake, but the admiration in her eyes for Chandler was impossible to hide.
Chandler’s brows furrowed as he forcefully pulled his hand away. His eyes were filled with undisguised disdain. “Some people are just born ungrateful. You think talking to them would help?”
Clarissa had originally turned around to greet Darlene Gray.
Darlene was Hugh’s wife and had been a mother for over a decade.
No matter what happened, she had always treated Clarissa kindly.
Clarissa had endured so much, partly because of her.
Not seeing Darlene around, Clarissa guessed she was probably in the kitchen, so she took a step in that direction.
But as soon as she turned, she caught sight of Gillian gazing at Chandler with admiration, while he looked back at her with cold contempt and threw her under the bus without hesitation.
Clarissa froze for a moment, then quickly turned on her heel and walked straight for the door, not looking back.
She thought to herself, if she stayed any longer, she really would become the butt of the joke.
Just as Darlene came out of the kitchen with Clarissa’s favorite potato croquettes, she caught a glimpse of her slender figure disappearing by the door.
“Clarissa…”
Darlene set the plate down and rushed after her.
But the door slammed shut with a loud bang.
“Who did she leave?” che sacked Huch murning toward him
2/3
11:41 Thu, Nov 14
Chapter 11 Desperate Departures
*+5 Pearls
Hugh’s face was dark as coal. “She wanted to go–what you think I should’ve begged her to stay?
“That ungrateful brat. Better if she never comes back!”
Darlene’s eyes widened. “What kind of talk is that?”
Seeing Hugh’s foul mood, she turned to Gillian and asked, “Gillian, what happened?”
Gillian’s eyes reddened, and she was about to start badmouthing
