Chapter 368

In that moment, Clara realized that somehow Emmett had become the man she deeply loved. He was part of her, woven into her very being. Leaving him then would have been like losing half her life!

The phone rang twice before Emmett’s deep voice answered.

“Who’s this?”

Clara opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

How long had it been since she had heard his voice?

She’d been dying to hear his voice, to connect with him every single day. But then she had to break things off with him.

Emmett must’ve sensed something. He asked, “Clara? Is that you?”

“Yes…” Clara bit her lip, “It’s me.”

“Clara, where are you? Tell me, I’ll come find you right now!”

“No need! I just heard you’re looking for Elio.” Clara clutched her chest, trying to sound firmer and hide her feelings from him.

“Of course I am! He took you away; how else am I going to find you?”

Clara closed her eyes, “Can you stop looking? We’ve eloped!”

“What? Eloped?” Emmett’s voice rose, “Clara, did Elio force you to do this? Tell me!”

“No, he didn’t force me! You know, I always wanted to be with him. Being with you recently made me more certain that we’re not meant to be. I miss the days with Elio abroad, so I’ve decided to give up on you and choose him. …”

“Stop! I don’t believe a word you’re saying!” Emmett yelled over the phone, “Tell me where you are! I want to see you!”

“Why would you want to see me? I don’t want to see you. I’ve made it clear. Why are you still clinging on?” Clara couldn’t hold back anymore. Her hands clenched the phone tightly, “Don’t you get it? I was in agony being with you. I was forced to marry you. You never asked if I wanted to!”

Emmett roared through the phone, “I don’t care. Tell me where you are!”

“Don’t command me around! Emmett, can you act like a real man for once? We agreed on a sham marriage/but you forced me into a real one! I even fled abroad, and you still dragged me back! You have zero respect for me. How could I ever love you?”

There was silence on Emmett’s end.

After a few seconds, he spoke in a low voice, “Is everything you said true? You never loved me? Not even a little bit?”

“That’s right! I hate your selfishness, your authoritarianism, and your habit of making decisions for me.

And more than anything, I hate playing stepmom to your two kids!”

The air seemed to freeze. Even Elio didn’t say a word.

Clara glanced at Elio, lifted her chin, and forced back the tears welling in her eyes.

In that moment, she felt her heart shattering.

She knew it was over between her and Emmett. They could never be together again! Maybe Leah was right. She never should’ve held unrealistic expectations in the first place.