Regretting Divorce

Chapter 23 

Claire’s POV 

I was reading a book, or rather I was trying to, when my n 

my mother walked in. 

“I got you a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, bunny.” She beamed while sitting on the edge of the bed. 

“Thanks, mom. Just what I needed right now to go with my book I forced a smile, praying that it didn’t look fake. 

It’s been two days since I took a voluntary discharge from the hospital and came home. I wasn’t supposed to be here, considering that my parents were already worried about me since Zara arrived in my life like a calamity, ruining my marriage. 

The last thing I wanted them to do was freak out, after learning that I starved myself for ten days like a stupid person. 

However, there’s nowhere else I could turn to. No door that would open for me, talk less of arms that would embrace me in and pat my back while I cried to composure, 

“I was wondering if you would like to go to an art exhibition with me. Mom said. “You remember my friend, Tilly, her daughter’s been given an opportunity to showcase her talent by her university. Tilly has personally invited me. She also asked the to bring you along. That’s if you want to come.” 

Isurely remembered Tilly. She was fond of me since I was a child, and often she said that she would take me as her daughter-in–law once I grew up. 

But then I fell in love with Hunter. I saw no other man as clearly as I saw him. I ignored her son, Python, when he asked me out on a date. Since then, she has despised me like an ugly scar on the back of a flawless hand. 

Though I never saw her or her son again after that day, Tilly has been in touch with mom. I knew why. She had been looking for a chance to mock mom and me for being overly confident and boastful of ourselves. 

Mom took pride in calling me her precious daughter. So when I humiliated (that’s how Tilly saw it) Python with my refusal, Tilly didn’t break her ties with mom. She stayed closer. 

Although with time mom forgot that incident and continued to cherish her friendship with her, it burned like a wildfire in Tilly’s chest. 

Now finally her perseverance was paying off. 

With the talks of my divorce going around, she most likely sees as her chance to get back at me. The invitation to her daughter’s art exhibition is just an excuse to summon me so she could belittle me. 

“I don’t feel like it, mom.” I said with an apologetic smile. 

“I knew that would be your answer. But I still asked hoping that you would want to go out. It’s been two days, Claire. You’ve locked yourself in your room since you moved in.” 

“But I’m happy here. You know how much I love the comfort of my room. I spent my teenage years here.” 

Mom responded with a faltering smile. It seemed like it was saying, “You spent your teenage years in the comfort of your room while crushing over Hunter. This is the last place you should seek comfort in,” 

I quickly looked away as his memories only dug open my wounds which have not completely healed yet. I held onto n book tightly to stop my fingers from twitching. 

my 

1/3 

Please, mom, go. I can’t hold it in for a minute more. 

“Okay, then. I will leave you be. Just don’t forget to take a stroll in the garden once you’re done reading” I nodded with my face growing hot under her eyes. 

She caressed my face before wheeling out of my room. 

Tender streams of tears glided down my cheeks. I sat the book aside and pressed a hand on my belly. I can’t feel anything yet, but the life growing inside me made my heart grow heavy. 

Yes. I’m pregnant. 

The memory of how I found it still haunts me. 

Flashback… 

After Hunter retreated from my room without uttering a single word, I burst into tears. Shivers ran through my body as I felt myself falling deeper and deeper in the oblivion of misery. 

The man I cherished raised his hands on me. Although it wasn’t the first time that I have been struck by him. He’s done it many times when we were in bed to induce physical pleasure. 

This was different. This was driven by contempt. This was out of pure hostility, and not done to induce physical pleasure like before 

While I was crying to myself, the room seemed to close down on me. My face became hot, my fingers cold. Suddenly I was feeling hot and cold at the same time. Sweat trickled down my spine under my gown. I was shuddering even though there was no air in the room. 

My vision became blurry, I was seconds away from falling into oblivion when I felt hands around my shoulders. My head was pressed against softness and a rhythmic music beat in my ears. It was the sound of a beating heart, and my cheek was pressing against soft busts. 

I was in Penelope’s arms. She whispered nice things to me which managed to calm me down. 

When I was okay, I moved away, only to have her pin me with a murderous glare. 

Just what are you trying to do to yourself, Claire! You had a panic attack. Do you know how dangerous it is for you! Sh said angrily while 1 lowered my eyes. 

I was no longer shaking. The stream of tears continued to spill from my eyes though. 

“If not for yourself then at least think about the baby in your belly. You will kill him with your emotional breakdown!” My heart thundered away in my chest as my breathing stopped. 

A baby! I blinked my eyes to clear my vision so I could stare at Penelope. 

When I could see her clearly, though my eyes were still moist, she offered a painfully raw smile that sent a chill up my spine. 

“You are pregnant, Claire.” 

The