Chapter 52
32
RavenMoort
Claire regarded her reflection with uninterested eyes. Even though she appeared lethally beautiful in a cerulean shaded offâshoulder gown, she didnât feel any tingles of excitement
Today was grandma Averyâs anniversary party. But heart was at unease, her chest quivering with every breath. She felt her eyes burning with the need to let out emotions that had been building within her for the last two days. She may have smiled and pretended to be happy in the old Murphy mansion. On the inside her core was trembling.
Tylerâs motherâs words haunted her. Every time she came across that woman, her shoulders squared and she felt like hiding behind the couch.
Though no one could understand her turmoil, it was getting too much now,
âJust tonight. I have to endure this night and then I can go back home.â She told herself in order to keep the bids of resilience she had left in her Intact
She was motivating herself on how to survive the night when Penelope came in. It was her glimmering dark pink gown that distracted her. She turned around with a wide green as her eyebrows touched her forehead in admiration.
âWow! Someone is going to make many men squirm in desire Claire teased her,
âNot as much as you. Tylerâs jaw will touch the floor once he lays his gaze on you.â Penelope winked at her but Chireâs smile disappeared.
She noticed the change and held her hands.
âWhatâs wrong, Laire? You donât look good to me. Youâve been like this for two days.â
âItâs nothingâ
âI know thereâs something bothering you. Isnât it Mrs. Murphy?â
Claireâs shocked eyes came to meet Pennyâs
Before she disregarded her claim, Penny added, âI have seen her looking at you contemptuously. Itâs mostly when Tyler and you are together in the same room. She bullied you because of the article, right?â
âItâs not
âI am your best friend. Claire. I know you and what can make you so distressedâ
Those words from Fenny and Claireâs eyes brimmed with tears.
âShe thinks Iâm using her son to hurt Hunter. She called me a scheming divorcee. She confided in her friend
Penny immediately held her in a hug and warned her to keep herself under check. Her eyeâmakeup was the best thing about her look. And her tears will ruin it.
âShe told me a handful of things too but I didnât realize she could go this far with you. Tia Murphy is a bitch. We will tell Grandma Avery about her. Iâm sure she will show Tia her place for bullying you.â
âNo, please, no. Claire shook her head in denial.
âI donât want to cause a rift between the Murphyâs Penny, we will go back to Bloomerest tomorrow morning in the first flight. I donât want to stay here one second longerâ
Penny s
saw her face and sighed, âWe will. I will not keep you around that bitch
âNow come on, letâs get going. The party has started. All the guests are here. We donât want to miss out on the fun, alright?â
She engulfed Claire in another friendly embrace and spoke near her car, âWe wonât let that despicable woman ruin our fun. We will do what we came here for. Okay!â
âOkayâ A unile found its way through the mask of uncertainty
Claire sent Prelupe first as she needed time to switch her mood. Her heart was still beating apprehensively. Her body wasnât willing to move. She wanted to stay inside
âJust this night.â She told herself and dusted some compact to cover the redness on her cheeks.
8:38 PM
Chapter 52
She smiled at herself then spun around to leave. The party was half done. Important guests who may have come to attend for the sake of maintaining a happy relationship with the Murphys might have retreated already.
Claire could still go. It was required of her. Thanks to the article featuring her and Tyler Murphy.
If she doesnât attend the party, everyone will get a chance to mock her. They will say that she went to RavenMoore to trap Tyler. Her absence will make rumors strong and believable that they were dating.
But if she posed with Grandma Avery and her husband then she can say that she was there to share the happiness of the old couple, the Murphys and Argents being family friends. One picture with grandma Avery will clear misunderstandings and wipe out all the rumors.
Claire tramped down the corridor while holding her gown. Since the party was unfolding on the lawn outside the mansion, she had to walk all the way from her room to the outside. Whatâs more, the lights of the mansion were dimmed, making it difficult for her to make her way out.
Her lungs burned from heavy breathing. Her gown was heavy and carrying it in her hands while she walked in six inches high heels was draining her energy. But the door was in sight. Her spirits ignited, taking her towards the door.
Claire was about to step out when a hand came around her waist. A cry burst out of her mouth, feeling herself being carried off the ground.
She was carried to some distance on a shoulder while her throat tightened. She couldnât make a noise or cry for help. Just when she made up her mind to hit on the back of the man who dared to carry her against her will, she was placed down on the floor.
âYouâ Claireâs voice disappeared as she was pressed against a wall in the dark.
Icy hands of terror encompassed her. All the bad thoughts entered her mind. Was it Tia who sent a man to violate her and spoil her image for trying to trick her son?
Or was it grandpa Nathaniel who was piqued because of the article and wanted to hurt her for trying to tarnish Murphy Familyâs name for getting clicked with his precious grandson? He was a smug old man with an ego as huge as a mountain. He could do it, considering his obsession and pride towards his elder grandson and heir to his empire.
Or was it some sexually dissatisfied pervert with illicit fantasies which involved a divorced woman!
Her senses blinked black and white as she felt the man holding her hands beside her face.
Then slowly his face drew close and he whispered, âDonât make a noise, ex wife! You donât want people to catch us in the dark like this, do you?â
âHâHunter!â The mist of terror subsided from across her vision.
Claireâs body calmed down, knowing that it was Hunter. She blew out a sigh as his woodsy cologne entered her lungs with the air. Except that the old memories plummeted in her mind, waking up her anger.
How dare you!â She hissed between her clenched teeth.
Claire raised a hand to punch his mouth. To her astonishment, Hunter grasped her tiny fist and pinned her hand above her head along with the other one.
âYou jerk! Get offâhuhh!â Her jeer metamorphosed into a gasp as Hunter came closer till their foreheads touched, and lips brushed together.
Theâ¦
If you are enjoying the story and need for updates on the book, kindly follow me on IC @author.chantinglove138