Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Birthday

Claire stayed quiet for a moment.

After a pause, she said lightly, "Well, guess I got lucky, didn't I? At least I found you all in the end. They did raise me after all, so let's leave it at that."

That was her way of settling the debt for all those years.

"Claire."

He sounded like there was more he wanted to say, but someone knocked on the door just then.

Claire ignored it. "Adrian, I know what you're about to say. But I really don't want to make things more complicated. I just hope I never have to deal with them again."

The whole kidnapping thing hadn't gone anywhere, and even if there was a lead, they'd probably deny it and twist it around. Without solid proof, it wasn't worth the risk.

And let's be real-knowing what the Thompsons were like, once they found out her birth parents were from the Fields family, they'd use those twenty years of so-called 'raising her' as an excuse to milk them dry.

So right now, all she wanted was to get the divorce done, cut all ties with the Thompsons, and avoid dragging her brothers into anything if her real identity ever got exposed.

The knocking grew louder, quicker.

Claire didn't say more. "Alright, Adrian. Gotta go, we'll talk later."

She hung up.

No rush to the door. When the knocking turned almost impatient, she brushed her messy bangs back and slowly walked over.

The moment she pulled the door open, the man outside still had his hand halfway raised, an obvious look of annoyance on his face.

Claire looked up at him, voice soft: "Something else you need?"

Just those few words, but the distance in her tone was crystal clear.

Nelson's brows twitched a little. He dropped his hand, his voice as flat as ever: "Tomorrow's Serena's birthday. There's a dinner at the Thompsons'. Make time, I'll pick you up in the afternoon."

Claire blinked.

Serena.

So sweet.

She smiled. "Sure. Anything else?"

Her expression was calm, her pretty face mostly hidden beneath her dark hair, giving away nothing.

Nelson stared at her for a beat, feeling an odd tightness in his chest. Turning away, he said, "No. Get some rest."

"Wait."

Claire stopped him.

She ducked back into the room for a second, then returned holding the divorce agreement he'd given her earlier.

"I signed it-just get the paperwork done when you have time. As for my ID, mail it to me. Address is on the last page."

He hadn't even shown up when they registered the marriage. No surprise-ending it should be even easier for him.

Nelson looked at the papers she handed over, gaze slowly shifting to her unnervingly calm face. Not a single sign of sadness.

His Adam's apple bobbed. Voice low and a little rough: "Didn't you say you wanted to wait a few days?"

"Waiting or not... doesn't change where this ends up, does it?"Claire's arm was getting sore, so she just shoved the papers into Nelson's arms. "Besides, it's Serena's birthday tomorrow. She'll probably love this news."

Caught off guard, Nelson blinked and slowly took the folder.

He kept his gaze low. "And you?"

"What?"

His voice was so quiet Claire barely caught it.

"Nothing."

Nelson tucked the documents away and looked back up at her. "Get some rest."

Claire took a step back. "You too."

With that, the door slammed shut right in his face.

Nelson stared at the closed door, his expression darkening. That faint, quiet smile of hers kept flashing in his mind. He looked down at the papers in hand, then finally turned to leave.

The next day, Claire got a call from Elena Thompson.

Elena started out beating around the bush, clearly fishing for info about her and Nelson's marriage.

Claire didn't bother hiding anything. "Auntie, Nelson gave me the divorce papers last night. I've already signed."

Ever since Serena came back, her so-called parents made her stop calling them Mom and Dad. If it weren't for the marriage linking the two families, Claire would've been kicked out long ago.

Even staying back then didn't mean she had a good life.

Hearing that they had officially separated, Elena's overly polite tone instantly flipped. Her words carried nothing but arrogance, as if she were tossing scraps to a beggar. "Serena's birthday's today. Come over tonight and show some respect."

Claire lowered her gaze, hiding the cold look in her eyes. "Alright."

Normally that'd be the end of the call-Elena gave an order, then hung up.

But this time, she paused, then added with a mocking edge, "Old Mr. Cooper made a mistake pairing you two up. Luckily, things are back where they belong now. Claire, don't get any stupid ideas. You were never good enough for Nelson. If it weren't for the Thompsons taking you in, you'd probably still be rotting in some orphanage-or dead in a ditch. And don't forget, if not for you, Serena wouldn't have ended up out there sick and alone for all those years. You owe her. She's doing better now, but she's still fragile. As her older sister, you should step aside when needed."

Everything Elena said was like stomping Claire into the dirt. First threatening her, then throwing in the "we raised you" card, like that made it all okay. But Claire had been a baby-switched by mistake during the earthquake. She was supposed to grow up as the princess of a top-tier family, not as a castoff in someone else's home.

"I get it."

Claire replied flatly, already zipping up her suitcase.

The villa had nothing else that belonged to her. Came in with a suitcase, left the same way.

Elena let out a sharp snort and hung up.

A car horn blared outside the house.

Nelson didn't get out. He just called her, that familiar cold voice saying only two words: "Come down."