Chapter 22 

Claire’s tome cooled, but barely. “is something wrong?“” 

“Mr. Lloyd’s not in a good state. Can you come back?“” 

“His condition has nothing to do with me. We’re getting divorced. Don’t call me about him 

again” 

“Please, Mrs. Lloyd. I’m begging you. He really regrets everything” Kevin’s words tumbled cur. “The company’s in deep trouble–bankruptcy is on the table. He tried to negotiate a deal, but they forced him to drink two bottles of whiskey. Then they smashed a bottle over 

his head. He’s bleating badly, refusing the hospital. He just keeps calling your name. For the sake of the years you were married—please.” 

Claire didn’t even blink 

mto 

Tratever was happening to Finley? That was his own doing. It had nothing to do with her. 

Compared to the loss of her child, his problems were a joke. 

“I’ll say this once. I don’t care. Don’t call me again—” 

Before site could finish, another voice burst through the line. 

“Claire? Claire, is that you? I miss you. Please come back, okay? Come pick me up! You always came when I was drunk. I miss you—I miss our baby! Please, I swear I’ll do better 

Claire ended the call, bile rising in her throat. 

She couldn’t stomach another second of his voice. 

Wintour hesitation, she blocked Kevin’s number too. 

+15 Bonus 

This couldn’t go on. If she really wanted Finley out of her life, she had to change her number. Without hesitation, Claire yanked out the SIM card and tossed it in the trash. 

But she still needed a working phone. 

She hurried outside and found a staff member. “Excuse me, is there anywhere nearby to get 

a new SIM card?” 

“Sorry, ma’am, there’s nowhere close by.” 

“What?” 

Great. She should’ve handled this before coming to the Maldives. 

Frustrated, she turned to leave–only to collide with a warm, solid chest. 

Startled, she looked up into a face so striking it almost didn’t seem real. 

“I’m so sorry!” 

The man noticed her accent and raised an eyebrow. “From Khelmark, huh?” 

Claire blinked. “Yeah. Small world.” 

Her mood lifted a little. It was nice running into someone from home. 

“I heard you need a SIM card?” He pulled a spare roaming card from his pocket and held it 

out. “You can use this. It’s brand new–just a backup.” 

“Seriously? Thank you so much.” Claire took it gratefully. “How much? I’ll pay you.” 

“No need. Consider it a gift from a fellow countryman.” He smiled and turned to leave. 

“Wait,” Claire called. “Thanks again, but what’s your name?” 

“Jace, I’ll be around for a while. If you need anything, just find me.” 

“Got it.” Claire nodded, about to walk away. 

22/3 

“Hey, you didn’t tell me your name,” he called back. 

“Claire.” 

Jace smirked. “Got it. I’ll remember that.” 

As she watched him disappear into the crowd, Claire arched an eyebrow. 

What were the odds of meeting someone this helpful? 

Either way, she had a working number now–and Finley had no way to reach her. 

*** 

+15 Bomus 

Back at Finley’s place, he stared at the darkened phone screen, his earlier drunken rage completely drained. 

The dried blood on his forehead only made him look worse–messy, wrecked, pathetic. 

“Mr. Lloyd, are you all right?” Kevin asked, worried. 

Finley blinked slowly. “Claire’s never going to forgive me, is she?” 

Kevin hesitated. He wanted to say something, anything, to soften the blow. But really— how could any woman forgive a man who’d cost her a child? 

And worse, Finley had done it all for Renee. 

Even Kevin couldn’t imagine forgiving him.