Chapter 21
At the gala, Kate was the belle of the ball, introducing Gabrielle to the high-profile guests. In the world of business, connections mean everything. When it came time to exchange gifts, Kate presented Gabrielle with a charm bracelet, leaving Gabrielle grinning from ear to ear.
Holding Kate’s hand, Gabrielle advised, “You’ll have to remind Claude to cut back on the cigars, dear p>
That remark made it clear to everyone that Kate would become Claude’s official partner. As for Claire, her days in the spotlight were soon over.
“Mrs. Hart, I’ve got it under control,” Kate said, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Besides showering Gabrielle with gifts, some guests gave Kate presents as well.
It dawned on me what it felt like to be forgotten once out of sight. It appeared Gabrielle’s favor was not eternal after all. Or had anyone ever truly favored me?
My spirit wandered off to a corner, where I bumped into Dr. Hilton. He was swirling a glass of champagne, glancing at Gabrielle but never approaching to offer his gift. Given his status, it was understandable he’d keep his distance from the Hart family.
I had thought him unremarkable at first. But at the moment, I saw him as just another soul caught in life’s cruel game.
His phone rang, and he set down his champagne flute before stepping away with those long, graceful strides.
I wanted to follow and eavesdrop but got caught in a conversation between Kate and Claude. “Claude, I’m sorry, I went to the hospital today without telling you.” Trying to keep cool, Claude asked, “What did you find out p>
“It’s about Claire. I know you’re stressed out, so I took your marriage papers and her picture to the doc, telling him Claire might be in trouble. That’s how I got her medical records, and they even agreed to do a paternity test with samples they had, suspecting the baby might be yours p>
Kate’s confession sent my spirit into turmoil. So, she went to the hospital to prove my child was Claude’s. But what was the point? My child was gone.
“Kate, are you saying there’s a result?” Claude’s voice wasn’t loud but carried a weight that froze me.
So, Claude wasn’t there for me or the baby. He wanted proof that the baby wasn’t his.
My heart sank. Even in death, their true colors showed, bereft of any past kindness.
Kate said, “The report just came in. The baby’s DNA doesn’t match yours. Claire must have betrayed you p>
Despair shook me. “Claude, I didn’t betray you p>
“Kate is lying p>
I screamed, but it was all in vain.
Reading the report on his phone, Claude smashed it to the ground in anger.
“Claire, you’ve outdone yourself! Disappearing, carrying someone else’s child! Good for you p>
Claude was livid, more a lion than a lawyer, believing Kate without question.
“Claude, don’t be mad. Maybe Claire hid because she feared you’d find out, which means she’s not in danger,” Kate tried to calm him down. Claude scoffed and called Richard. “So, Claire’s pregnant with your child, and you’re hiding her p>
het
Richard exploded. “What nonsense are you talking about? Claire’s pregnant? Damn it, Claude, what have you done to her! How could she be pregnant with my child? was in jail a month ago. It’s impossible p>
I cried out, “It’s not Richard’s. It’s yours, Claude p>
But he couldn’t hear me, not in life, and certainly not now.
How tragic!
Richard’s response left Claude speechless. Indeed, the timeline didn’t add up. But Claude couldn’t think of anyone else.
I laughed bitterly. Claude could
suspect the whole world but never himself. Indeed, he always made me take precautions. Except once, Claude was very drunk. Entering a dark hotel room, he pulled me into his embrace, his scent of alcohol unmistakable.
If someone is being that rowdy and drunk, it’s gotta be Claude.
I left the hotel before he woke, not wanting to face his scorn, believing it better to slip away unnoticed. I was supposed to take a
morning-after pill the next day but forgot amidst the chaos with Kate. That was the night I conceived.