Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Passenger seat, girlfriend only

Claire intentionally took her time.

It wasn't until Nelson called her the second time that she finally walked out of the villa.

Seeing her jogging toward the car, Nelson's frown eased a little. He shifted slightly to straighten a gift box on the passenger seat.

"Sorry," Claire said as she got into the backseat and sat up properly, "I took a nap this afternoon. Didn't mean to keep you waiting."

Nelson glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "You're wearing that to the dinner?"

"Huh?" Claire looked down at her outfit. "Is it not okay? I mean. it's just a family dinner, right?"

Without another word, Nelson tossed the box to her. "Go change."

She immediately recognized the Sprince label on the white gift box; the careful packaging gave away that it was from the brand's latest spring collection.

Claire hesitated, then gently placed the box back. "Isn't this intended for Serena? It wouldn't be right for me to wear it."

Nelson stopped tapping on the steering wheel, his voice sharp. "We haven't told anyone about the divorce yet. You show up like that, what do you think it looks like to the Coopers? That we're falling apart?"

"But."

"I have something else for Serena. This one's from the brand, I just forgot to take it out of the car."

His tone left no room for negotiation. "Change. Now."

"Fine."

Left with no choice, Claire grabbed the gift and headed back in to change.

The soft blue ombre gown brightened her skin tone, the shimmer flowing with her every step like a painting in motion. Too bad the waist was a bit loose-clearly not her size. Otherwise, she might've actually liked it.

She came back down quickly, but when she tried to open the back door, it was locked.

"Sit in the front," Nelson said from inside, clearly annoyed.

Claire frowned. "Isn't that a bit much?"

To her, the front passenger seat was for a girlfriend-or someone close. She didn't fit either role.

Nelson shot her a look. "But letting me play chauffeur is totally fine by you?"

".That's not what I meant."

Claire scratched her head, trying to explain herself to this textbook straight-laced man.

Nelson stared at her for a beat. "Serena wouldn't nitpick over something so trivial. Get in. Don't make me repeat myself."

Claire wasn't having it. "Then I'm not going. Pretty sure she doesn't want to see me anyway."

She turned, lifting her skirt as she walked off. The car horn blared behind her, followed by Nelson's pissed-off voice: "Get in."

Claire tugged at the back door again-this time it opened.

She raised an eyebrow but got in, lifting her dress carefully. Because it didn't fit and there were layers to arrange, it took her a moment to get settled.

Nelson started the car. "The dress doesn't fit?"

"Yeah, a little loose. I'll pin it when we get there. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you."

Before she could finish, the car jolted with a sudden brake. Claire, not wearing a seatbelt, slammed right into the front seat. Her head was ringing.

Seriously, what the hell? He didn't have to kill her over a joke. If something happened to her, it'd cost him too.

Claire quietly pulled the seatbelt on and looked out the window at the receding view.

The danger she encountered abroad had stemmed from holding the title of Mrs. Cooper-and from the fact that everyone knew she liked Nelson. Getting rid of her to make space for Serena had simply been more convenient.

But now that she had obediently signed the divorce papers. surely he wouldn't go as far as to make her disappear. Right?Still, she hoped to get the divorce over with as soon as possible-less time for drama to unfold.

"So. are the divorce papers finalized or what?"