Eveline leaned her face close to Clara's. "What if Moana really comes into Sean's extended family with that baby? Are you sure you'll be able to handle seeing her every day? That child will be eternal proof that Sean once chose someone else over you."
Clara froze. Those words struck her right in the most vulnerable part of her heart. She imagined Moana standing in her in-laws' living room, smiling smugly and holding a baby bearing her husband's surname. A baby she should have given birth to. Not someone else.
"I won't let that happen." Clara clenched her hands, her nails almost piercing her skin.
"I am his legal wife. I will defend my marriage. I will take back my husband." She looked frustrated.
Her voice was calm, but full of burning anger.
Eveline sighed deeply. "I understand you want to fight. But you have to be careful. Don't let the process destroy you."
Clara looked at her friend with teary eyes again. "I'm already destroyed, Eve. I have been for a long time. Sean just doesn't know."
Silence spread between them.
Eveline looked at her friend who was falling into an internal war. She wanted to force Clara out of that abyss, but she knew Clara was not the type of woman to let go of something she loved so much.
Finally, with a small smile, Eveline gently patted Clara's hand. "Then... you have to be strong. Don't let them trample on your pride any more than this. Sean agreed to the marriage because he was thinking of the benefits he would get from his parents! You have to think of the benefits for yourself too!"
Clara nodded slowly. For the first time since last night, her breathing felt a little more regular. She wiped her tears with a tissue.
"Thank you, Eve... I understand what you mean. I know you care about me so much," Clara whispered softly.
★
★★★
★
The drive home from Eveline's clinic felt so long for Clara. Eveline's words still swirled around in her head, stabbing relentlessly like fine needles piercing every layer of her consciousness.
"What if Moana comes with the baby?"
"What if you can't take it anymore?"
"What if you end up losing?"
Clara closed her eyes for a moment as she stopped the car in front of the house. Her breathing was heavy. Her heart kept pounding hard against her chest, as if reminding her that the pain was still there, still real.
"I'm your wife, Sean... I'm still your wife," she whispered, trying to convince herself.
Clara stepped inside. The house felt too big, too empty for a soul that was breaking. She stared at the front door, hoping that every second Sean would appear and hug her as if last night's storm had never happened.
But...
As night fell again, the rain fell again, Sean still hadn't come home. The message she sent was only read, not responded to. Her phone rang without an answer.
Clara sat back on the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her eyes were heavy, but she refused to sleep.
"Come home… come home, Sean…"
she whispered, as if it were a forced prayer.
But the answer was always the same: silence.
★
★★★
★
The next morning.
Clara woke up to the sound of the front door opening. She rushed downstairs with her heart pounding, a mixture of anger, longing, and fear all rolled into one.
There... Sean was standing there, looking terrible.
The shirt he was still wearing was badly wrinkled, his hair was messy, his face was pale as if he hadn't slept for days. His breathing was heavy, and his steps were unsteady as he tried to enter.
Clara immediately approached him. "Sean... what's wrong? You look—"
"I'm tired."
His voice was flat, like the sound of a hammer killing any conversation before it began.
Clara swallowed. "Are you okay? Are you... are you sick?"
Sean rubbed his temples. "Stop asking questions. I just want to rest."
Clara saw that the man's hands were shaking slightly, his skin hot to the touch. He clearly had a fever. Clara panicked but tried to control her voice.
"Then I'll call Dr. Morgan, okay? So he can—"
"DON'T."
Sean stared at her with red, dark eyes full of dislike.
"It's my business whether I'm sick or not. It's none of yours."
Clara was speechless. Her heart felt like it was being sliced open.
But she swallowed all that pain in silence, to preserve what little dignity remained in their relationship.
★
★★★
★
A few hours later, the doorbell rang.
One of the maids opened the door. Standing there was Mrs. Weasley—her meticulous, elegant, and very strict mother-in-law. She came with Sean's father, Mr. Smith.
"I got a message from my trusted source that Sean isn't feeling well and he just got home."
There was a hint of concern in her voice.
"Where is my son?"
Clara bowed politely. "In his room, Mom. He's—"
Mrs. Weasley didn't wait for an explanation. She immediately stepped inside and quickly climbed the stairs.
Clara followed behind, nervous.
When she arrived at the room, the woman opened the door loudly.
Sean was lying on the bed, his face pale with fever. But when he saw his mother, he tried to sit up a little and forced himself to smile.
"Mom..."
It was a soft, loving voice, a side of Sean that Clara had never seen before.
Mrs. Weasley immediately touched her son's forehead, her face turning grim.
"Sean, you have a fever. What happened? Why didn't you call doctor?"
Sean glanced at Clara for a moment. There was a feeling of dislike there. But he smiled back at his mother, sweetly.
"Everything's fine, Mom. I'm just tired from work. Clara has taken care of me."
Clara was stunned.
She hadn't done anything—Sean hadn't given her a chance at all.
But in front of his mother, he was willing to lie for the sake of appearances.
Mrs. Weasley looked at Clara and smiled slightly.
"Thank you for taking care of Sean."
Clara just nodded with a bitter feeling in her chest.
That afternoon, Mrs. Weasley's arrival was apparently followed by a visit from Clara's mommy, Mrs. Diana. She came with a basket of fruit and warm smiles like a happy family.
"Honey, are you okay?" asked Mrs. Diana, hugging Clara.
Clara just nodded, even though her throat was tight.
When they gathered in the living room, Sean came out of his room. His steps were still weak, but he tried to appear normal. He put his arm around Clara's waist, bringing her closer. The warm touch... felt fake.
"Everything is fine," he said with a smile he reserved only for his family. "Clara always takes good care of me."
Clara looked at Sean with misty eyes.
"Why are you only nice when they're around?"
her heart screamed.
Mr. Smith patted Sean on the shoulder. "Thank goodness for that."
Mrs. Diana held Clara's hand proudly.
"We knew you two would be able to live harmoniously even though you were separated."
If only they knew...
If only they saw Moana's messages...
If only they knew Sean called Clara not his future...
Clara looked down. Her throat felt hot as she held back tears.
Sean still smiled kindly to deceive everyone. They looked like the perfect couple in front of the world.
But... Clara's world had long been destroyed.
**
However, the facade didn't last long.
As the conversation calmed down and small laughs could be heard, Mrs. Weasley finally asked suspiciously:
"Sean... where did you go for two days and two nights? Mama was very worried."
The air suddenly tensed.
Clara looked at Sean. She also wanted an answer. She also needed an answer.
She wanted to know what her husband had been doing last night—and the night before.
Sean was silent.
The smile on his face faded. His eyes heated up. All eyes were on him.
The fake smile he had put on... began to crack.
Clara straightened her back. Her heart was beating fast. She was ready to hear the truth that might kill what little trust she had left.
Sean swallowed slowly.
"I... stayed... at a friend's place," he finally replied. His voice sounded steady—but something was wrong. "A work friend. We're working on a project. I... was busy."
"You didn't say anything," Mrs. Weasley said firmly. "As a husband, you have to keep your family informed. Clara must have been worried."
Clara looked down. She tried to control the trembling in her eyes.
Sean closed his eyes for a moment—his face turned cold and dark.
"I don't want a lot of people meddling in my affairs," he said. "Including my own family."
Instantly, the atmosphere turned cold.
Mrs. Weasley was stunned. Mr. Smith frowned. Clara felt a tense aura envelop the room.
Sean looked back at Clara—his gaze seemed warm.
"Besides, I already asked Clara for permission to stay at my friend's apartment, and Clara allowed it. Right, honey?"