Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Kneel down

Elena clearly didn't expect Claire to fight back like that. Her face froze for a beat, and then she burst into even louder sobs.

"Do you really want to drive your sister to death? If it weren't for our Thompson family, do you think you'd have even made it this far? Now you're perfectly fine, but when Serena has another episode, you won't even take one step back for her! How can you be so cruel!"

Claire just looked at Elena with disappointment in her eyes.

She had once, just a little, held onto a shred of hope. After all, she had called this woman "Mom" for so many years-she thought maybe, maybe Elena felt something for her. Even just a little.

But clearly, she'd been the foolish one.

Her throat moved slightly, silent, before she couldn't help but ask, "Then what if something had happened to me today? What if I had actually been hurt?"

Elena flinched for a second, then snapped, "But nothing did happen, did it? You're totally fine! Why can't you just let it go? You're the older sister-can't you cut Serena a bit of slack? It's not like she meant to hurt you! You're so petty, always holding onto everything like it's the end of the world!"

Claire's heart finally turned cold. "All I asked for was an apology."

"Fine! FINE!"

Elena shouted the words, her voice sharp, glaring at Claire with obvious disgust.

"We raised you, gave you everything-our time, our money, our lives-and for what? So you'd grow up to stab us in the back? You want an apology? Fine. As the woman who raised you, I'm sorry, okay? Sorry I didn't do better. Sorry you got hurt. But Claire, let's be honest-if it weren't for you, do you really think Serena would've turned out the way she did?"

Tears streamed down Elena's face as she clutched Serena tightly, acting as if she were the real victim here.

"You took my daughter's place in this family. She spent years suffering because of you-and now what? No guilt, no apology, not even a damn thank-you. Nothing. I must've been out of my mind to ever bring you in. Get out. And don't you ever come back here. As far as I'm concerned, you're not part of this family. You never were"

Claire stood there, lips pressed tight, not saying a word.

Everyone around them was watching like it was their afternoon entertainment. Claire had just been kicked out of the Thompson family in front of everyone. She didn't have any skills or backing... what would she even do now?

But after speaking up so boldly just now, she definitely couldn't go back and beg Elena in front of all these people.

Everyone was waiting to see what kind of reaction Claire would give.

Just as she was about to say something, Nelson suddenly stepped in and stood in front of her.

"Aunt Elena," he said, his tone calm, "I understand you're worried about Serena, but Claire was clearly wronged too. It's okay to have preferences, but this is going too far. And don't forget-the Coopers and Thompsons are in-laws. Claire is my wife. Cutting ties with her is not just unfair-it's inappropriate for both families."

"Nelson."

Claire's voice came from behind him, quiet but clear. "If I'm not mistaken, we signed the divorce papers last night. So technically, I'm no longer your wife."

Everyone in the room was still recovering from the shock of Nelson stepping in to defend Claire, and then her words hit them like another bombshell.

They were already divorced?

Even Serena, lying on the floor, stopped crying out loud and stared at Nelson with a mix of disbelief and hope.

But Nelson didn't look at her. Instead, he turned around, his dark eyes locking directly on Claire.

Claire ignored all of it. She picked up her handbag and said, "We're divorced, and I've got nothing to do with the Cooper family anymore. As for what Aunt Elena said today-I'll remember every word. From now on, I'll keep my distance from the Thompson family, too."

She paused, then bent one knee down and gave Elena a bow, her voice calm and sincere.

"Thank you, Aunt Elena, I really appreciate everything you did for me."

Even if she had been hurt time and time again, they did bring her up. That much was real.

Gratitude and resentment-she remembered them all.

Her bow left everyone stunned. The hatred people held toward her seemed to soften after witnessing that.

Claire didn't care what they thought. After bowing, she turned to leave-only to hear Elena shout behind her.

"Wait!"