Chapter 8 Three Promises

Claire remained silent as her gaze fell on the maid. She knew it was intentional. Claire did not say anything. She merely steadied herself and walked away. “Does she think she’s the queen of the household after marrying into the Yeich family? If the Second Young Master does not like her, her status is even lower than a servant’s!” “Exactly, look at her now. I heard that she was banished to sleep at the doorway last night by the Second Young Master. If I were her, I wouldn't waste any time packing my bags and going home to avoid further embarrassment here.” “Would women of her kind know what shame is? They only have one thing on their eyes, money!” If she walked far enough, she would not hear them talking about her anymore. Claire’s face was deathly pale as she placed one hand on her chest and knelt slowly. Why? Why should she have to bear all this? Was it because she was divorced? Claire buried her face into her knees, the mocking words from the servants rushing past her ears, the scene where her parents forced her into marriage after her divorce, and that night… Her stomach lurched, and Claire immediately raised her head. No, no! She had to go for a checkup at the hospital the next day. She could not be pregnant, no! Just as Claire raised her head, the door to the room opened, and Simon appeared pushing Mason in his wheelchair. Claire glanced instinctively towards the source of the sound. Mason simply took a glance at her, and Claire’s tear-filled eyes had made their way into his ink-colored ones. Like a pebble casually thrown into a lake, it caused endless ripples. Claire was not ugly. On the contrary, she had beautiful features. A pair of long, curly eyelashes and eyes as clear as a fresh spring, as if all the spirits in the world were gathered in her eyes. However, the spring seemed to be an ice-cold spring. Because the dainty charms that were usually in women’s eyes were never present in hers. Instead, her eyes gave people a chilly feeling. Now with teardrops clinging onto her eyelashes and red-rimmed eyes, she looked as delicate as a newborn baby. Her skinny self could only squat there like a small ball that made one want to pity her. The two looked at each other wordlessly. In the end, it was Claire who spoke first. “Are… are you heading out?” Her voice was hoarse with a heavy nasal overtone. Surprisingly, Mason pursed his lips together as he nodded. “Yes.” “Oh.” Claire did not say anything else. She withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes to stare at the tips of her toes. Mason’s gaze darkened as he looked at her. “Didn’t I tell you to not embarrass yourself here?” When she heard him, Claire raised her head and looked at him nervously as she said, “We… we had a promise. And you agreed to it, didn’t you?” “Hah.” Mason laughed coldly. “I agreed? When?” Claire was at a loss for words. In hindsight, it seemed that he had not agreed to anything that night. He had merely left and did not return. So, had she misunderstood things? As the thought occurred to her, Claire lowered her eyelids and bit her lower lip. Suddenly. “Before I find her, I can let you stay here. However, we’ll have to make three promises.” Claire looked up sharply. “What are you asking?” The depths of Mason’s eyes were dark and frightening. “You’d better not ask any questions you shouldn’t ask.” Claire lowered her eyes again. True, what did it matter to her who he was looking for? And why should she ask these questions? After all, they were merely a couple in name only. As long as she could stay. “Alright, anything you say,” Claire said softly. “The bed’s mine. As for where you sleep, you’ll have to come up with your own solution.” “Your things can only be kept in your suitcase. You’re not allowed to store them on my shelves.” “No touching me.” Well, instead of sleeping in a bed, she could camp out on the floor. If she could not store her things on his shelves, then she would buy a new shelf. No touching him? Claire raised her eyes abruptly to give him a weird look. Who would want to touch him? Although Mason was a handsome man, she, Claire Schmidt, was not that kind of woman. Thinking of this, Claire agreed readily. “Alright, I agree with all your requests.” “Simon.” “I’m here.” “Let’s go.” Simon pushed Mason’s wheelchair as the pair left. As she watched their figures gradually grow smaller, Claire let out a sigh of relief before a smile slowly revealed itself. If she could build an agreement with Mason, that meant she could stay here. Claire got up and hauled her suitcase into the room. After waking up the next day, Claire dressed in plain clothing and put on a hat before leaving the house. When she approached the main doors, she met Liam, who was on his way to the office. “Yvonne? Are you going to the office to see Mason? Shall I give you a ride?” Claire had not expected to run into him. When she thought of where she was going, she shook her head. “Thank you, Brother-in-law, but I’m not going to the office.” “Oh? Then where are you going? Let me take you there.” “It’s alright, Brother-in-law. The place where I’m headed is in the opposite direction of the office, it's not on the way.” “Alright then. Take care.” Claire walked for a long while before she reached the side of the road. After boarding the bus, she immediately put on a mask. She was legitimately guilty. The results of yesterday’s test had caused her to be restless for a long time. She could not sleep in peace last night. Hopefully, the test results were inaccurate. When she reached the hospital, everyone around her gave her weird looks. Claire coughed lightly as she reached into her bag for a pair of sunglasses, which she promptly put on. She received even weirder looks. Think about it, a woman in the obstetrics and gynecology department, who has a hat, a mask, and sunglasses on, acting like she does not want to be seen by anyone. Claire had wanted to keep a low profile but had achieved the opposite effect. After all, she was in a public area. Acting this way would only draw more attention from others. When it was finally her turn, the doctor furrowed his brows together when he saw his patient only had her eyes revealed. “What are you here for? An examination?” Claire coughed lightly as she pulled her mask down. “Doctor, I’m here for an examination.” “Why are you so mysterious… are you not allowed to be seen by the public?” the doctor asked candidly before he narrowed his eyes and asked, “Are you in that profession?” Claire started when she heard him, and could not comprehend. “Huh?” “I’m asking you if you’re in that profession. Can’t you even understand that?” After thinking about it, it finally clicked in Claire’s mind. “Doctor, I…” “Accidental pregnancy? Then you’ll have to have an abortion.” The doctor sighed. “You girls, why do you not love your body more? I had another patient yesterday, she’s in the same profession as you, who’s already been pregnant either five or six times. I wonder how many abortions she’s going to have in a lifetime? Isn’t she worried that her body will give up on her?” “I’m not…” Claire was just about to explain that she was not in that profession, but the minute she opened her mouth, several men dressed in black burst in through the doors, startling everyone inside. Seeing someone come in, Claire’s guilty conscience got the better of her. She hurriedly pulled up her mask and got up, intending to slip out quietly through the back door. “Stop!” Who would have thought that the gang of men were after her and chased her the minute they saw her try to get away.