Harbor of Heartbreak

Chapter 7

Alexander hurriedly took a step toward me, his hand reaching out as if to touch the face he had longed for every day and night.

But before his fingers could brush my skin, I pushed him away.

My voice was cold, flat:

"Mr. Crawford, when the Sullivan family hit hard times, only the Crawfords offered a hand.

For the nine years we were married, I did my best to repay that debt of gratitude.

But now, with Natalie pregnant and the Crawford family finally having an heir, I can honestly say, I wish you three a lifetime of happiness."

By now, even someone as sharp as Alexander couldn't miss the message: I was done.

Panic flashed in his eyes, and he stepped forward, his voice desperate.

"Darling, why are you saying things like this?

You honestly think I'd believe these nine years were just about paying off a debt?"

No. He wouldn't believe it.

If I didn't love him, why had I begged for a kiss every morning before he left for work?

Why had I cried, refusing to leave his side when he was sick, even when everyone else tried to convince me to go?

I loved him more than I could ever put into words. So much that anyone with eyes could see it.

But what had he done?

The more I loved him, the more he trampled my dignity without a second thought.

He forgot that hearts are fragile.

When they hurt too much, when they go numb, eventually they stop debasing themselves. They stop wasting affection.

I forced a smile, one that was uglier than any tear I could shed.

Alexander stood there, his bloodshot eyes pleading with me.

"Claire, I never knew Natalie's existence would hurt you this much.

It was just a one-night thing, a drunken mistake. I only brought her home because of my sense of moral responsibility.

Once she has the baby, I'll make sure she leaves and never bothers you again. I promise."

I shook my head firmly, no hesitation in my words.

"Alexander Crawford, I don't care about your relationship with Natalie.

What you need to understand is that I have a new life here, and I'm not coming back with you. Please leave."

"A new life?" He was outraged. "What new life are you talking about? You, "

But his words faltered as exhaustion and blood loss finally caught up with him.

Before he could finish, the world spun, and everything went black.

When Alexander woke up, it was already 11 PM.

A glass of water sat on the bedside table, left by the servants. For a moment, he thought maybe things weren't as bad as they seemed, so he staggered out of the room with a small spark of hope, ignoring his physical discomfort, desperate to find me.

But when he reached the spiral staircase leading to the rooftop, the scene he found shattered his fragile resolve.

There I was, locked in a passionate embrace with Ethan.

His heart clenched, sharp and painful.

Without thinking, Alexander lunged forward and grabbed Ethan by the collar, fury in his eyes.

"What are you doing to Claire?" he demanded through gritted teeth.

At that moment, Alexander could no longer pretend Ethan was just my "adopted brother."

"Who gave you permission to touch my wife?!"

Ethan laughed, low and dark.

"Your wife?" he mocked. "Alexander Crawford, did you ever truly cherish Claire as your wife?"

"Y-You, " Alexander sputtered, his anger bubbling over.

Before he could finish, Ethan's fist swung through the air and landed squarely on his face with a satisfying thud.