Chapter 4
A few days later, I got the news. My old family estate had been torn down.
That place had belonged to the Bennett family for more than ten generations.
It was passed down from my great-great-grandpa. There was an old oak tree in the courtyard.
When I was little, I sat beneath its branches, reciting my lessons and cooling off in the shade.
Those moments were the most cherished memories of my childhood.
Before my grandpa passed away, he held my hand and kept repeating the same words. "Claire, this is the root and legacy of the Bennett family.
"I once carelessly lost the Bennett Family Chronicle, and I've failed our ancestors. You must protect this old estate and keep the Bennett family's roots alive."
I promised him I would.
But Edward, to please Vanessa and make up for her so-called grievances, tore down my old family estate without hesitation.
Right on the Bennett family's land, he built Vanessa her private library, so she'd have a cozy little spot to read and unwind.
He claimed Vanessa loved books, so this library was his gift to her.
In that moment, all my hopes, all my love, and everything I'd clung to fell apart.
I stared at the torn-down remains and the spot where the old oak tree had been cut down. The scene stung me hard.
I knew that the relationship between Edward and me was truly over.
I found him, placed the engagement ring in front of him, and said calmly, "Edward, let's call off the engagement."
He didn't care at all. He thought that I was throwing a tantrum, that I couldn't live without him, and that sooner or later, I'd come crawling back to him.
He said, "Claire, stop making a scene. When you finally come to your senses, you can come back anytime. I'll treat you like before."
But I didn't look back.
*****
That afternoon, I packed my bags and left the country. I was away for three years.
For those three years, I never contacted Edward or checked up on him or Vanessa.
I studied like crazy and worked my butt off.
I wanted to erase all those memories and get strong, so that nobody could walk all over me or hurt me like that again.
I thought three years would be enough for everything to change.
It would be enough for Edward to see Vanessa's true colors and realize how wrong he'd been all those years ago.
But today, at the auction, I realized he was still the same as ever.
He was still indulging Vanessa and always taking her side, no matter what.
And he still acted like my pain and suffering didn't matter at all.
He even destroyed the Bennett family's heirloom for Vanessa, racking up a debt of 100 million dollars without blinking.
"Professor Sinclair and Ms. Reed." The voice of the auction house manager snapped me out of my memories. "We'll give you one more day to think it over.
"If you still can't settle the compensation by tomorrow, we'll have to call the police and handle things by the book."
Vanessa was about to argue again, but Edward stopped her.
Edward's face looked more strained than before.
His fingers were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned bloodless.
It was clear that 100 million dollars wasn't pocket change for the Sinclair family, especially when it was all because of something this absurd.
People all around were whispering, their eyes glued to the drama, waiting for the next act.
Some said the Sinclair family was about to fall hard this time.
Others said Vanessa was way too spoiled and sooner or later, she'd ruin Edward.
And some said I was so pitiful, getting pushed around by my ex-fiancé and his student like this.
Edward could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on him.
Those looks were enough to strip him of any dignity.
He started walking toward me.
All eyes in the room were locked on us. Everyone was curious about what he'd do next.
Vanessa was stunned, too. "Mr. Sinclair, what are you doing?"
Edward didn't reply to her. He walked straight up to me, his tone dripping with entitled arrogance. "Claire, I know you came back for me."
I looked at him, feeling nothing but cold amusement inside.
For him? I came back for the Bennett Family Chronicle, my family's roots, to fulfill my grandpa's last wish. He had nothing to do with it.
"I know you're still angry. You're blaming me for not standing by you three years ago," Edward said.
"I admit, I was wrong back then. I shouldn't have indulged Vanessa so much, and I shouldn't have ignored your feelings," Edward continued with a hint of fake tenderness.
He paused, his eyes full of that patronizing look. "How about this? You pay off the 100 million dollars compensation for me.
"Think of it as the wedding gift for your return, and my way of apologizing. Once this is settled, we'll get back together.
"We'll get married. That money will be our shared property. So it's basically your own money anyway. You won't be losing out."
He finished, giving me that smug, self-assured look.
He acted like I'd say yes for sure.
He was convinced I'd go to any lengths for him, no matter what it cost me.
He was certain I'd come back to crawl at his feet, begging him to take me back.
Everyone's eyes were glued to me, waiting to see if I'd actually say yes to Edward's insane demand, like he was so sure I would.
Vanessa's face darkened instantly. "Mr. Sinclair, how could you let her pay for us? And how could you think about getting back together with her?
"No way. I refuse to have someone so out of touch as Mrs. Sinclair."
Edward shoved Vanessa's hand off, clearly annoyed. "Cut it out."
Vanessa shot a look at Edward and then at me.
Her eyes were full of jealousy and hatred, but she didn't dare to say another word.
She could only bite her lip and stare at me.
I looked at Edward, keeping my cool.
His face was phony and arrogant. The way he looked at me was like he was doing me some favor.
Three years had passed, but he hadn't changed.
He believed that if he offered me the slightest care, I'd come back to him crazily, ready to give up everything for him all over again.
What a joke.
Slowly, I raised my left hand.
On my ring finger, the diamond ring shone icily under the light.
"Sorry, Professor Sinclair," I said. My voice was soft, but clear enough for everyone to hear. "I'm married."
I watched his expression change from smugness to shock, to blank confusion, and to outright offended fury.
"Whatever happens between you and your student has nothing to do with me," I declared.