Chapter 4

George reached into the flames without hesitation. He only grunted in a low voice, even when his hand got burned.

Unfortunately, all he managed to retrieve was a half-charred photograph. It was taken on our wedding day.

His eyes were red, and he was like a wild beast out of control. He roared to me, "Why did you burn them? These are our memories."

I took out the divorce papers with my signature and threw them in front of him. "These are useless things, so I burn them. It's time to cut ties between us. Let's get divorced."

"That's impossible." George didn't even glance at the papers before tearing them to shreds. "You are a member of the Wood family. We only part through death, not divorce."

He gripped my chin so tightly that it felt like he might crush my jawbone. "Clara, the Wood family has influence all over the whole city. You can't escape me."

"You jerk!" I shouted in anger.

Yet George merely scoffed and said to the bodyguards, "Prevent her from getting out."

I was effectively under house arrest in the villa by George.

My doors and windows were guarded by bodyguards, and my phone was monitored. I couldn't even step outside the front gate except for essential activities.

There was only a day left until my leaving with Andre, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't break free from George's surveillance.

Then, Savannah suddenly suggested to George that they take a luxury cruise for a vacation at sea, and George agreed.

Before departure, Savannah feigned concern and asked me, "Clara, do you want to join us on the cruise? You've never been on a cruise, right?"

"You're right. I haven't," I replied. I nodded immediately and said, "I'll join you. I want to go out and relax."

Savannah was stunned. Her smile froze for a brief moment, as she clearly hadn't expected me to join them.

George eyed me suspiciously and said, "What are you up to? Are you planning to escape?"

I sneered, "George, you're surrounded by a dozen bodyguards, and some of them even watch me when I read a book in my room. Don't you have any confidence? Besides, once we're at sea, there's nowhere to escape to. Am I going to jump and feed the sharks?"

"As if you'd dare do anything." George agreed to let me go with them.

I breathed a sigh of relief. As long as I got out of the villa, it would be much easier for me to leave.

I got into the back seat of the car, with George and Savannah seated in the front.

The bodyguards' cars surrounded us.

As soon as we got in the car, Savannah began chattering about the ocean's night scenery and the decor of the baby's room. I pretended to play a game with my phone while discreetly messaging Andre about my new location without being noticed by George.

Andre replied instantly, "Be careful. Stay in touch. We'll meet you at the port.

Upon entering the cruise cabin, I quickly checked every corner and found the miniature earpiece Andre had left behind the bathroom mirror.

As soon as I put it on, Andre's firm voice came through. "Clara, at ten o'clock this evening, someone will come to the emergency exit at the back of the cruise to pick you up. Keep an eye on your surroundings and stay safe."

"Understood," I whispered back, feeling a bit more assured.

As the time approached, I was organizing my belongings when there was a sudden knock on the door.

I opened it to see Savannah standing there. "I want to have a talk to you, Clara."

"I have nothing to talk to you," I said emotionlessly.

I was about to shut the door when Savannah persisted and blocked the doorway. She said with a smug tone, "Don't you get it? George doesn't love you anymore. Do you know what he and I were doing the day you lost your baby? We were camping on the hilltop, stargazing and moon-watching. He held me and told me that he would love me forever. On the day your mother passed away, he claimed to be on a business trip, but he was actually on a vacation with me. We were in the car..."

"Shut up!" I spun around sharply, and my eyes almost froze her with an icy stare. "Get out!"

Savannah smiled and stepped closer. "I just want you to face reality. George doesn't love you and never has. You'd better disappear. It is the end you can have."

Her shameless words made me tremble with anger. Just as I raised my hand to slap her, George appeared at the door.

Seeing my gesture, he quickly stepped in to shield Savannah. He looked at me with increasing disdain. "Clara, haven't I warned you not to bully Savannah again?"

At the same time, Andre's voice came through the earpiece once more. "Clara, in one minute, we'll create a mess on the cruise. Use the chance to shake off the bodyguards and head toward the deck."