Chapter 36
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CLARA pushed the glass door open, the faint chime above announcing her exit. The cool breeze of the hospital corridor brushed against her face, but it did nothing to ease the heaviness in her chest. Her heels clicked softly against the tiles as she walked, but her movements lacked the usual confidence she carried. Today, she was fragile, her world had shifted again, and not for the better.
Her eyes dropped to the paper in her hand, its crisp edges cutting against her palm as though mocking her. The black letters danced before her blurred vision, a cruel reminder that life sometimes had no mercy. Clara quickly folded the paper, almost angrily, and shoved it into her bag. She didn’t want to look at it again. Not here. Not now.
“Miss Clara, have a good day,” the receptionist called politely from behind the desk.
Clara forced a smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes, and nodded. She knew the façade too well, holding herself together in public, only to collapse in silence when no one was watching.
She pushed through the wide glass doors into the open air. The parking lot stretched before her, rows of cars lined neatly under the unforgiving sun. She straightened her shoulders, her elegance never betraying the storm inside, and strode toward her vehicle.
Unlocking the door with a swift click, Clara slipped inside, her hands trembling as they gripped the steering wheel. For a moment, she sat there, unmoving, listening to the muted hum of her own heartbeat. She wanted to scream, but instead, she closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, and whispered, “The earlier I deal with this, the better p>
She started the engine. The car roared to life, masking the sound of her silent tears. Without looking back, Clara drove away, the hospital shrinking behind her as uncertainty loomed ahead.
Pulling into the driveway, she cut the engine, her fingers still gripping the steering wheel long after the car had fallen silent. She sat there for a moment, her chest rising and falling as if she had just run a race. The test result tucked away in her bag weighed heavier than the bag itself. She had rehearsed a thousand times how she would confront him, but nothing ever seemed enough. With a sharp inhale, she pushed the door open and stepped out, her heels striking the pavement like tiny hammers of resolve.
Inside, the faint hum of music and the electronic beeps of a video game floated through the air. Leonard was sprawled comfortably on the couch, eyes glued to the television, his fingers busy on the joysticks. He didn’t even notice her at first.
Clara’s eyes narrowed. She marched into the living room, reached for the controller, and yanked it out of his hands.
“What the Clara!” Leonard exclaimed, sitting upright, shock plastered across his face. “What is wrong with you p>
“What is wrong with me?” she repeated, her voice sharp, trembling with pent-up rage. “That is the best question you could ask me p>
Leonard frowned, scanning her face.
“You look upset. Are you okay p>
She scoffed, folding her arms.
“Do I look okay to you, Leonard p>
He sighed dramatically, as if she were exaggerating.
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“Then what is it this time p>
Clara’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but her voice carried a tone of steel.
“When are you going to stop p>
Leonard blinked in confusion.
“Stop what p>
“Stop sleeping around!” she fired back, the words echoing in the room like a slap.
His mouth hung open, then he hissed and leaned back against the couch, arms stretched lazily as if her accusation meant nothing.
“Here we go again,” he muttered under his breath.
Clara’s jaw tightened. She took a step closer, her voice breaking as she spoke.
“Leonard, I visit the hospital every blessed day. Every single day! The doctor’s office has become like my second home. I sit there treating different kinds of infections while you-” she pointed at him, “-you parade around like none of it matters p>
Leonard sneered, finally meeting her gaze.
“Oh please, Clara. You get infected because you don’t take proper care of yourself. Maybe if you washed your undies properly, washed and dried them under the sun like normal women do, you wouldn’t be running to the hospital all the time p>
Clara froze, her lips parting in disbelief.
“What did you just say p>
“You heard me,” he replied casually, picking up his phone as if the conversation was boring him. “Blame yourself. Don’t drag me into your drama p>
Clara’s hands shook. She wanted to scream, to throw something, to shake him until he understood the pain she carried. Instead, her voice dropped to a whisper.
“You disgust me, Leonard p>
He chuckled coldly.
“Oh, don’t start with the dramatics, Clara. You always want someone to blame. Maybe if you stopped nagging me about every little thing, we wouldn’t be here p>
Her eyes burned, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.
“Nagging? You call this nagging? I’m fighting for my life, Leonard! Fighting for my health while you… you sleep with anything in a skirt and then come home to me like I’m supposed to welcome you with open arms p>
He shrugged, refusing to look guilty.
“If you think I’m the problem, then stop accusing me and do something about it p>
“I already have,” she said firmly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “I have made my decision, Leonard p>
He finally looked up at her, sensing a shift in her tone.
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“What decision p>
Clara straightened, her voice clear and unshaken now.
“You will never touch me again p>
For the first time in the conversation, Leonard’s composure faltered. His brows shot up, and his jaw dropped slightly.
“Huh?” he mouthed, stunned by her words.
Clara didn’t wait for him to recover. She turned on her heel, her bag slung firmly over her shoulder, and walked toward the hallway. Her steps were steady, each one laced with finality.
Leonard’s voice followed her, angry and disbelieving.
“Clara, you can’t be serious p>
But she didn’t turn back. She disappeared into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her, leaving Leonard staring at the television screen, his game paused, his pride punctured.
For once, silence filled the room, and it was deafening.
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Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.