Chapter 12
“What?”
Renee froze, piecing it together. Claire lost the baby?
Her shock melted into something darker, a fleeting smile barely noticeable. No baby meant no ties. Perfect. She’d been wracking her brain, trying to figure out how to push Finley into divorcing Claire. Now Finley had no reason to stay tethered to Claire.
“That night at the bar…“Finley’s voice cracked, his grip on her arm tightening. “If it weren’t for you getting hurt, I wouldn’t have lost it. I wouldn’t have pushed Claire. Our baby would still be alive!”
Renee winced. “Finley, stop! That wasn’t your fault. It was Claire’s! She’s the one who deliberately spilled hot tea on me. Didn’t you say it yourself? She’s always pulling these
stunts. Honestly… maybe it’s just karma.”
“What did you just say?”
Finley’s face darkened. He never imagined the sweet, innocent Renee would say something
so cruel.
Sensing things were spiraling, Megan jumped between them, yanking them apart. “Mr.
Lloyd, please! Renee’s still a kid. You’ve always been so close–don’t turn on her now!”
Finley let out a bitter laugh, his voice dripping with self–loathing. “That’s the problem. I
have treated her like a kid, spoiled her so much she thinks this is okay. And now Claire’s
done with me. She wants a divorce.”
“Wait–really?” Renee’s eyes sparkled, completely ignoring the pain etched across his face. “Did you agree? When are you signing the papers?”
“Renee!” Megan tugged her arm, trying to stop her, but Renee brushed her off.
“Finley, you don’t even like her, do you? You’ve always loved me, right? I love
you too.
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Chapter 12
Divorce Claire, and we can get married right away!”
+15 Bonus
It hit Finley then–Renee had it all wrong. She actually thought he still loved her, that he’d
leave Claire for her.
“No wonder,” he muttered, laughing bitterly. “No wonder Claire thought there was
something between us. I made it so easy to believe.”
He sucked in a breath. It was time to set things straight. “Renee, I haven’t loved you in
years. I love Claire. To me, you’re like… a sister. Nothing more.”
Renee stared at him in disbelief. “What are you talking about? You don’t love me?
“That’s impossible! When I came back, you picked me up with my favorite yellow roses.
“You stayed with me on set until midnight. When I got hurt, you dropped everything and rushed me to the hospital.
“And that night at the restaurant fire–Claire and I were both there, but you carried me out. You didn’t even think about her or the baby! And now you’re saying you love her? Are you
serious?”
Her words slammed into him, cold and brutal. For the first time, Finley realized the weight
of what he’d done to Claire.
He’d been so wrong. Monumentally wrong.
That night at the restaurant… Claire had been calm. He’d thought she was being patient, understanding. But no–she’d just stopped hoping. Stopped expecting anything from him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”
The guilt ripped through him, sharp and relentless. He had to see Claire. He missed her so
much it hurt.
“I don’t want your apology.” Renee clung to his hand, her voice desperate. “I want you.”
He pulled away without hesitation. “Renee, we’re done. The woman I love is my wife,
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Claire. I’m leaving. Don’t call me, don’t look for me. It’s over.”
And just like that, he walked out, not once glancing back.
Renee moved to follow, but Megan grabbed her arm. “Don’t. If you still want a shot with him, let him go–for now.”
“But he and Claire are divorcing! Isn’t this the perfect time?“”
To Renee, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.
“Trust me. Have I ever let you down?”
“Fine.” Renee nodded.
She’d wait. Let him cool off. Eventually, he’d see the truth–he belonged with her.
D
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