Chapter 18 

“What are you doing? Get out!” Claire’s anger flared as Finley hauled himself inside. 

“I’m not leaving unless you forgive me!” 

He stepped closer, arms reaching, but she slapped him—hard. 

“I said get out! You just broke into my room. I could call the cops, you know that?” 

“Call them! As long as you forgive me, I won’t care!” 

Claire exhaled sharply. She was so damn tired. “What do you even want, Finley? Haven’t you done enough? I literally left the country to escape you, and here you are. I let you have Renee. Why can’t you just let me go?” 

“There’s nothing between me and Renee! The only person I love is you!” 

Claire laughed–loud, bitter, ugly. “Ha! Ha ha!” 

Her smile vanished, eyes burning. “You love me? That’s funny. 

“Is that why you forgot how far along I was? Why, on our third anniversary, you proposed to another woman? 

“Why, when I was pregnant, you pushed me down the stairs and ignored me while I begged for help—until our child was gone? 

“And now, suddenly, you love me? Do you even hear yourself?” 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I swear, I didn’t—” Finley dropped to his knees, panic all over his face. “I thought you were being dramatic, that you were trying to deceive me, so—” 

“Oh, of course!” Claire cut in, voice sharp. “I’m just some jealous, scheming wife to you, huh? The 

crazy woman who’d throw hot tea at Renee out of spite. The monster who’d curse her own child just to get your attention. 

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“Finley, we’ve known each other for years, but you’ve never actually understood me.” 

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what? I 

She swallowed hard, trying to steady herself. “You say you love me? Well, guess don’t love you anymore. Just go. Stop looking for me. Do you even realize how happy I was before you showed up? And now, thanks to you, that’s gone.” 

She stared coldly him. “I’m begging you–don’t ever come near me again.” 

Dragging her suitcase behind her, Claire moved toward the door. 

Finley stood, about to speak when his phone rang. 

Kevin. 

“Mr. Lloyd, you need to come back now. The company’s in trouble–several deals collapsed, and there’s a situation with the workers at some developments. It’s bad. You 

have to return immediately.” 

“Got it.” 

Finley hung up, eyes locked on Claire’s retreating figure. Then, desperate, he stepped in 

front of her again. 

“Claire, I’m sorry,” he murmured, head bowed. “I know it won’t be easy to forgive me, but give me time. I’ll prove I’ve changed. I swear. 

“But right now, the company’s a mess. I have to go back. I know how much you love the ocean. Just… stay. Please. I’ll be gone soon. 

One last look. Then, reluctantly, he turned and boarded the boat. 

The second Finley was gone, Claire’s whole body sagged. Her suitcase hit the floor with a heavy thud. 

She stood there, watching his boat fade into the distance, her chest tight. 

She didn’t love him. She was done. Completely over it. 

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So why did seeing him still hurt so damn much? 

Staying here wasn’t an option anymore. Finley had found her—he’d find her again. 

Without hesitation, she booked a flight to another island. She needed to disappear. 

Claire pulled out her phone, fingers gripping the SIM card. She wanted to toss it into the ocean, cut off every way he could track her. But then she thought of her parents. She 

couldn’t do that to them. 

Finley, though? He was done. 

Some disappointments cut so deep, they leave nothing behind—not even hope. 

And no matter what he said, she’d never believe him again. 

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