NovelGoldChapter 346 A gentle breeze swept by, teasing strands of Claire's hair.
She stood at the edge of the bridge, gazing down at the river flowing beneath her feet—a scene so familiar, yet her heart was nothing like the last tshe'd been here.
Back then, she'd been completely lost, teetering so close to the edge that only a miracle had stopped her from jumping.
"Father Foster, do you remember this place?" Claire's eyes shimmered with emotion. "If I hadn't run into you that night, I don't think I'd be standing here now." She turned, meeting Sean's gaze, her expression earnest. "Really, thank you. You saved my life. I'll never forget it." Sean's face softened. "Do you remember what I told you that night?" Claire thought for a moment. "You said life's a bit like a play-sometimes, just having one more person in the audience can change everything. You toldyou wanted to see what would happen if I chose to keep going, to see how the story would unfold." She paused, then added, "Back then, I didn't believe you. I thought my story was already a tragedy, not worth watching anymore." A smile flickered across Sean's usually stern face, glowing warmly in the evening light. "You never know. The best scenes often cat the end. You made it through the darkest times—now it's tto enjoy the life you deserve." Claire nodded. "Yes. And I owe it all to you, Father Foster." Gratitude lit up her features, but a dull ache twisted inside her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIf only her body weren't failing her. If only she had more time.
She lowered her head, hiding the sorrow in her eyes.
Sean, ever perceptive, noticed the subtle shift in her mood. He parted his lips to offer comfort, but before he could speak, a voice cut through the night, sharp and out of place.
"Claire?" She jerked her head up and found herself staring into Vincent's astonished eyes.
Gone was the disheveled vagrant she'd last seen scavenging for scraps. Now, Vincent sat tall in a sleek black suit, wheelchair-bound, a wool blanket draped over his legs, a file folder resting on top. His hair was slicked back, and a new energy radiated from him.
Sean narrowed his eyes, surprised. Who would have thought that after losing his job and his ability to walk, Vincent might have a second act left in him? Vincent's gaze fastened onto Claire, burning with possessiveness.
"Claire, you have no idea how desperately I've searched for you these past days." Whatever peace Claire had felt vanished instantly.
Just her luck-to run into the one person she'd hoped never to see again, and right when she'd finally gotten out for sfresh air with Father Foster.
She ignored Vincent, slipped her hand into Sean's, and turned to leave.
But Vincent wheeled himself forward and blocked her path with alarming speed. "Claire, aren't you happy to see me?" She gave a cold, sharp laugh. "Vincent, you let Vanessa frme and leftto rot in prison for five years. I can barely stand the sight of you." His smile faltered, but he quickly composed himself.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"That's all in the past, Claire. Back then, I didn't know the truth. We grew up together-you know how I feel about you."
"Exactly. We grew up together, and I was too blind to see who you really were." Bitterness twisted Claire's smile. "If I'd known, I never would have wasted a single cent on you." Her words, harsh and unrelenting, made Vincent's face contort.
He might have looked respectable now, but after everything he'd been through, the damage ran deep.
Vincent's narrowed eyes flicked to Sean, who stood tall and handsat Claire's side. His voice turned cold and bitter. "So that's it? You won't takeback because of him?"
"Claire, when did you becso fickle? Last time, sguy took you to the hospital for a pregnancy m test and how, what, you've already moved on? Did you get rid of the bastard in your belly, dump the last man, and find yourself a new one to latch onto?"
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