“How can you two be together?” Jeremi looked back and forth between Claire and Damian.

Claire was speechless, her heart surging with intense emotions. Acceptance didn't mean she had forgotten or forgiven the betrayal of the man standing before her.

“Claire, what’s going on between you and Damian? What is all of this?” Jeremi asked, stepping toward her. But before he could take another step, Damian pressed his palm against Jeremi’s chest, blocking him.

“Don’t you dare go near her,” Damian said, stepping beside Claire, who remained rooted to the spot.

Damian could feel Claire’s body trembling, her hands clenched into tight fists. She was fighting to suppress her pain, rage, and resentment. Gently, Damian wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side.

“You can see for yourself how close we are, Jeremi,” Damian replied, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

“Clair? Is all of this true? You and Damian?” Jeremi asked, trying to convince himself.

“We are over. You have no right to question my personal life,” Claire answered firm.

“I need to know, Clair,” Jeremi insisted stubbornly.

“Let’s just leave,” Claire pleaded, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Alright,” Damian agreed.

Without another word, Damian led Claire away, leaving Jeremi behind.

“Claire, I need an explanation! How can you just walk away?” Jeremi called out.

Damian and Claire walked past, leaving behind an increasingly emotional Jeremi.

Inside the car, Claire broke down into tears, and Damian didn't mind. He grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.

“When are you going to stop crying? I’ve been waiting for five minutes,” Damian said, sounding slightly exasperated.

“I’m sorry, could you please take me home?” Claire requested softly.

“Are you going to keep crying over him, Clair?” Damian asked.

“You don’t know how much this hurts. Five years wasn't a short time; we went through so many trials and hardships together,” Claire sobbed.

“And in the end, he left you the moment he became successful. Come on, Clair, stop fooling yourself,” Damian remarked bluntly.

“I was so foolish. I thought he was my home, my shelter and refuge, but he was just a temporary stop. The pain... it’s completely shattering my heart,” Claire murmured.

“The right person won't leave. If he left, it means he wasn't the right one for you. Get that through your head, and stop being so weak,” Damian said. “Your burden isn't even that heavy; you’re just making yourself weak. The weaker you act, the heavier it feels, and the harder it will be for you. When are you actually going to pull yourself together and move past this trauma?”

Damian stared at Claire intently, their eyes locking. Claire remained silent, her silent tears flowing as she found an odd sense of comfort in his sharp gaze.

“Can I... have a hug? Just for a moment?” Claire whispered.

Damian leaned in and pulled her into a warm embrace. He gently caressed her head, letting his warmth comfort her.

“You’re back, dear?” Anna called out, breaking her focus from her phone. Seeing Jeremi enter the bedroom, she quickly slipped her phone into a drawer and rushed over to him.

“Let me help you with your shirt,” Anna offered, her hands reaching toward his buttons.

“No need,” Jeremi replied coldly. Grabbing his sleepwear from the closet, he walked straight into the bathroom.

Anna could only stare at the closed door with hollow eyes.

Ever since they got married, Jeremi had treated her like a complete stranger. They shared the same room yet felt miles apart. Every night, Jeremi turned his back to her, spending hours staring at his phone and ignoring her completely.

“How long are you going to ignore me, Jeremi?” Anna muttered, wiping away a tear as she gently caressed her still-flat stomach.

Claire was stunned to see Damian standing at her front door.

“S-sir—”

“Call me by my name,” Damian interrupted.

“Why are you here this late?” Claire asked, clearly surprised by his unexpected visit.

“Are your aunt and uncle home?” Damian asked.

“Um, yes, they are. Please come in.” Claire stepped aside, inviting Damian inside. She then walked to the kitchen to prepare drinks and call her guardians.

Moments later, Aunt Terry, Uncle Cornor, and Claire sat in the living room, waiting for Damian to speak.

“Uncle, Aunt, I came here tonight to ask for Claire’s hand in marriage,” Damian stated firmly.

Terry and Cornor exchanged startled glances. Damian’s arrival was sudden, and proposing to their niece was entirely unexpected.

“If you don't mind me asking, how long have you two known each other?” Terry inquired gently.

“For two years,” Damian replied smoothly. “Claire and I work at the same company. I am her manager.”

“So, what is your answer to my proposal? If you both approve, I will return promptly with my parents,” Damian added with complete seriousness.

Claire stared at Damian. He looked entirely earnest, showing no signs of playing a role.

“Claire, what do you think? Your aunt and I are here as your guardians, but the final decision is yours. We will support whatever choice you make,” Cornor offered reassuringly.

Claire looked back and forth between Damian and her guardians.

“Yes, I accept,” Claire answered, taking Terry completely by surprise. Terry looked at Claire with deep concern.

“Are you sure, Khay? Please think about this carefully,” Terry cautioned.

“I am sure, Auntie.”

***