Chapter 15
Claire grew up in the north, but her love for the south pulled her to Finley’s city for college.
They met at university–he was student council president, she was his vice. The first time she saw him, he was in a crisp white shirt, standing in the rain, recruiting new members. Just one look, and her heart was gone.
To be closer to him, she worked harder, pushed herself further. She knew other girls hovered around him, but she stayed in the background, loving him quietly.
From the start, it was always him. Seven years chasing his light.
He only started seeing her after Renee was out of the picture.
When they got married, Claire had smiled up at him, hopeful. “Finley, I want to see the ocean. I’ve never seen it before. Let’s go to the Maldives for our honeymoon, okay? I heard
the water’s so blue there.”
But he hadn’t loved her. Not then.
He married her to fill the void Renee left behind. Nothing more.
On their anniversary, she tried again. “Finley, I really want to see the ocean. When will you
take me?”
She could’ve gone on her own. But she didn’t want to. She wanted to go with him, wanted
to believe he cared enough to make it happen.
He never did. Brushed her off. Acted like it didn’t matter.
Now, staring at the news, he whispered, “The Maldives. She really went to the Maldives.
Alone.”
She was done waiting. That’s why she went without him.
Finley had no time to waste. The second he had Claire’s location, he threw clothes into a
1/3
+15 Bonus
bag and headed for the airport.
Just as he stepped out, Megan appeared, eyes red and swollen.
“Mr. Lloyd!!” Her voice was trembling with despair. “I thought you actually cared about Remee. I never expected you to treat her like this!‘”
The mention of Renee made his head throb. “What now?”
Renee was a closed chapter–his mind was consumed with Claire. Whatever drama Renee
brought, he wasn’t interested.
“Renee took pills! She tried to kill herselfil”
“What?” Finley was momentarily stunned, then quickly snapped back. “What stunt is she pulling now? I’m busy. If it’s real, take her to the hospital. I’m not getting dragged into
this.”
As he turned, Megan grabbed his arm, eyes wide with disbelief.
“How can you just walk away? She refused to have her stomach pumped!! And when she woke up and didn’t see you, she threatened to jump off the roof!TM”
Finley didn’t even blink. “That’s on her. Not my problem.”
Megan’s voice cracked. “How can you be so heartless? You gave her false hope! She hasn’t eaten, hasn’t slept, won’t go to set–if this keeps up, she’ll destroy her career! You were her boyfriend once. Do you really not care?TM
He exhaled sharply. Fine. It was a human life.
At the hospital, Renee lay in bed, pale as a ghost. The moment she saw him, her lashes fluttered, lips trembling.
“You’re here?”
“Why?” Finley asked. “Why would you do this over me? You were never this pathetic before.”
