The Hijacked Marriage Chapter 10
Ryan also grabbed my hand with fake concern.
“Nathan, think this through. It’s not worth throwing away your future just because you’re angry.”
But I knew exactly why Ryan was trying so hard to keep me.
He simply could not bear to lose a useful tool like me.
I pulled my hand away without a change in expression and was just about to fire back when my phone rang.
When I answered, I accidentally turned on the speaker.
The next second, my parents’ voices came through.
“Son, when are you getting home? Your mom made your favorite pot roast, and she’s waiting for you!”
“That’s right. I’ve already found you a date. She’s my best friend’s daughter, absolutely reliable!”
Claire’s beautiful eyes widened. For a moment, she stood there stunned. “Nathan, you’re going back to Maple Creek?”
Only when she came back to herself did she notice the suitcase behind me, and her heart seemed to miss a beat.
“Why did you even pack a suitcase? You’re serious?
“And what blind date? You already have me. Why would you go back for a blind date?”
I sneered inwardly.
The suitcase was so large, yet Claire had only just noticed it now.
Ever since Ryan appeared, she had grown used to overlooking everything about me.
She overlooked my sacrifices, my preferences, Ryan’s provocations, and the harm he caused me. She also overlooked every chance I had given her, again and again.
In the past, being ignored by Claire like this would have hurt.
But now, my heart was still as dead water.
“Claire, I’ve been serious this whole time.
“I’ve already resigned, so of course I’m going back to Maple Creek to start over. As for the blind date, we’ve broken up. What’s wrong with me going on one?”
Maybe it was my imagination, but panic flashed suddenly through Claire’s eyes.
She hurried over and grabbed my hand.
“Nathan, I won’t allow you to leave. And I don’t agree to breaking up!
“When we got together, it was something we both agreed to. So why do you get to end it just because you say so?”
I found it almost funny.
Before, when I tried to stop her from going on dates with Ryan or acting too intimate with him, she called me jealous and possessive.
Now I was giving them my blessing. Shouldn’t she be happy?
Why was she suddenly doing everything she could to stop me?
I shook off Claire’s hand and said each word clearly.
“Whether you agree or not, we’ve already broken up.
“Move. Don’t make me miss my bus.”
Ryan seized the chance to spread another lie.
“Nathan, why are you in such a rush to leave? Don’t tell me you already have someone picked out from those bind dates.
“You already have Claire. How could you be thinking about another woman? That’s emotional cheating.”
In the past, Claire would definitely have been provoked by him and joined in scolding me.
But this time, she shouted sharply, “Ryan, don’t talk nonsense! I believe Nate. He isn’t that kind of person!”
For a moment, both Ryan and I were surprised.
Neither of us had expected Claire to speak up for me.
Before I could make sense of it, Claire had already stepped in front of me. She held my hand again, her face full of emotion.
“Nate, I’m sorry. I know I was wrong.
“I shouldn’t have acted without boundaries around Ryan. I shouldn’t have gotten married with him despite your objections. I shouldn’t have brought him and Noah home. And I shouldn’t have cared about them so much. I didn’t keep the proper distance.
“I know you must be furious with me right now, but I truly know I was wrong. I promise I’ll change. Can you forgive me? Give me one more chance. Let’s get back together, okay?”
