Claire’s POV
"What!?" I froze; my heart started pounding. Sissy’s words hit like a punch to my gut. How dare she say that!
"She didn’t stop there," Sissy went on, her face twisted in disgust. "Susan said you need to back off from the project that was offered to you. And, get this—she wants you to stop ’ddling in her and Evander’s relationship.’ Like she owns him or sothing."
My blood boiled, anger rising from deep within . I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms. How dare Susan! After everything she had done, after all the pain she caused , she still had the nerve to think she could control my life? I could feel the fury bubbling up, and for the first ti in a long while, I wasn’t afraid to let it out.
I looked up at Sissy, my voice low but shaking with rage. "She thinks she can co back into my life and tell what to do?" I shook my head, trying to calm my trembling hands. "I was weak back then... I let them take everything from , but not anymore. I am not backing off from anything."
Sissy nodded, her eyes filled with fire. "Good. It’s about ti you stood up for yourself.".
"I’m done running," I muttered, more to myself than to Sissy. But she heard it and smiled, a glint of approval in her eyes.
"That’s the Claire; I have been waiting to see this side of yours," Sissy said as she patted the back of my palm.
I sat there for a while, staring at my untouched drink, my mind racing. The anger simred beneath the surface, but there was a deep uncertainty. I had declared that I wouldn’t back down, that I was done running, but now that I had a mont to breathe, the doubts crept in.
What was I doing? Did I really want to get involved in all of this again? My life had been a ss when I was tied to Evander and the Kensington family. The betrayals, the loss—it had broken in ways I hadn’t even begun to heal from. And Susan... the re thought of her made my stomach turn. Could I handle being dragged back into that world, with all its lies and manipulation?
My fingers trembled slightly as I clenched them into fists, my mind torn between the rage I felt and the fear that still lingered from the past. I had barely rebuilt my life, and now... now I was being sucked back in.
But at the sa ti, why should I let them keep controlling my life? Why should Susan, of all people, dictate what I could or couldn’t do? I had sacrificed so much—my peace, my dreams—and for what? To hide away and let them win?
I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, trying to calm the storm inside . I glanced at Sissy, who was watching carefully, waiting for my response. She had offered a chance to move forward, to take control of sothing for once. The project she ntioned—was it just an opportunity or my way out of this suffocating ss?
"I don’t know, Sissy..." I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "I don’t know if I can handle all of this again. I barely survived the first ti."
Sissy leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on mine. "You are stronger than you think, Claire. And this project? It’s your chance to show them that they don’t own you."
Her words sank in, and for a mont, I let myself imagine it. Doing sothing for myself. Taking this opportunity, not because of Evander or Susan, but because I wanted to. Because I deserved to.
I closed my eyes and thought about my child, the life that never had a chance. I had already lost so much, and I realized sothing then—I didn’t want to lose myself too.
I opened my eyes, my decision was made. "I will take the project," I said firmly, looking at Sissy. "I am not running anymore. I will do this... for ."
Sissy’s smiled widely, full of pride and relief. "That’s the Claire I knew was still in there. Let’s show them what you are made of."
We chatted for a bit when suddenly, I noticed Sissy’s face twist in an odd way. Her eyes were fixed on sothing behind .
"What’s wrong?" I asked, confused by her reaction. Turning around, my heart skipped a beat.
Evander was standing right there, staring at .
I froze, feeling the tension instantly. He didn’t say a word at first, but his presence spoke volus. Sissy quickly crossed her arms and snapped, "What are you doing here?"
Evander ignored her as his eyes were locked on mine. "We need to talk," he said; his voice was calm but firm.
I felt a rush of emotions, but I held my ground. "I don’t have anything to say to you! Please leave!" I replied quietly, refusing to be drawn back into his ss.
I was already frustrated, knowing Evander wouldn’t just walk away. But before I could say anything, Sissy stepped in front of , glaring at him. "Why are you here? Did you tell your mistress before showing up?" she snapped, her voice sharp with irritation.
"Excuse ?" Evander frowned, sending her a cold glare that I was sure sent a chill down her spine.
"Stop trying to scare Sissy," I said, cutting through the tension and locking eyes with him. "Are you following ?" I asked and tried to keep my voice steady, but my heart was racing.
His gaze shifted back to , and sothing in his expression changed. His eyes softened, catching off guard. The intensity between us thickened as he stepped closer, his tall fra towering over , his scent intoxicating. "I missed you," he murmured.
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What do you think about Evander’s actions? Did he really miss her or just ca to make a fool out of her? Do comnt and leave reviews!
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