Chapter 179

"How dare you even think about kissing me? Do you think you have the right?" Claire's voice trembled with fury. "Your hands are drenched in our child's blood. Every time I look at you, I want to rip you apart! Just get out of here!"

Her emotions spiraled out of control. The moment the words left her lips, she doubled over, clutching her stomach as if the pain were physical. She curled into herself, her body shaking.

Tears streamed down her face, leaving glistening trails. It was impossible to tell whether her agony stemmed from grief or pure, unbridled rage toward Lucas. But one thing was certain—her expression was twisted in torment.

Lucas's breath hitched at the sight. He dropped to his knees, reaching for her.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain? I'm taking you to the hospital!" His voice was frantic.

Claire's teeth sank into his arm with brutal force, as if she wanted to tear through muscle and bone.

Lucas hissed, his body tensing from the sharp sting.

A thin line of crimson trickled from the corner of Claire's lips—his blood.

The red droplets smeared across her cheek, mixing with her tears. Her hair was tangled, her face streaked with grief and fury.

The air between them thickened with sorrow, heavy and suffocating.

Her knuckles turned bone-white from the crushing grip on the sheets.

Fragile as glass, she looked ready to splinter apart any second.

Lucas's chest constricted with a visceral ache. Words lodged in his throat, useless and suffocating.

Claire's lips parted, the faintest whisper escaping.

"Go."

Beyond the door, Evelyn's frantic knocking shattered the silence.

"Lucas, stop this! Can't you see she's in no state for this?" Evelyn's voice trembled with urgency. "Whatever you have to say, it can wait."

She knew.

These past nights, Evelyn had watched Claire jolt awake, drenched in silent tears.

The nightmares came relentlessly.

No amount of forced smiles could hide the truth—the real wounds weren't visible.

They festered beneath the surface, deep where no bandage could reach.

That's why Evelyn refused to leave.

Not until the storm inside her best friend finally stilled.

Lucas stepped out. His crimson eyes burned with unspoken fury.

Blood trickled down his forearm, staining his sleeve. Claire had sunk her teeth deep, leaving a vicious mark that still throbbed.

Evelyn barely spared him a glance before darting past to reach her friend. "Claire, are you okay?"

Claire gave a weak shake of her head. "Just exhausted. Need to sleep," she murmured.

"Then rest. I'll take care of you."

"But my makeup—"

"I'll remove it for you," Evelyn assured her.

She hurried into the bathroom, grabbing a pack of cleansing wipes. Gently, she began wiping away the smudged mascara and foundation from Claire's pale face.

"You're too good to me," Claire mumbled, her voice thick with drowsiness. "Ditch Alexander. Move in with me instead."

Evelyn arched a brow. "Giving up on your boy toy already?"

Claire blinked, suddenly alert. "Wait—where is Julian?"

"Sent him to grab snacks. Figured you'd want something later."

A sharp click echoed through the apartment. The front door shut with finality. Lucas was gone.

The silence in the room was suffocating.

Claire’s lashes trembled before she finally shut her eyes. She sank deeper into the mattress, pressing the back of her hand against her eyelids.

After everything that had happened today, Lucas would surely leave her alone now.

There was nothing left to say. He should walk away for good.

Yet, her chest ached as if a boulder had settled over her heart. She should have felt free—so why did relief refuse to come?

A sharp sting burned behind her eyes. Two scalding tears slipped free, tracing hot paths down her temples.

She despised this weakness. What right did she have to cry? It was just a divorce.

A new beginning. She should be celebrating.

"You’re free now," she reminded herself.

Claire forced her lips to curve, but the smile twisted into something brittle—uglier than the tears she fought.