Chapter 3
Not long after, Lisa came back, clutching the signed divorce papers, her eyes red from crying.
Lisa said, "Claire, I'm really sorry... I wanted to make that woman leave, but Henry treats her like she's his whole world. I never expected this..."
"He signed those papers without even glancing at them. In thirty days, you'll get your divorce certificate."
Claire gently nodded, her gaze drifting to the window as her thoughts wandered far away.
Over the next few days, social media blew up with romantic scandals involving Henry.
One day, drones showered the sky with rose petals; the next, he was down on one knee with a diamond ring. The whole show had everyone green with envy.
People in their circle branded Claire the "cast-off wife", but she just shrugged it off and headed out to the bar with her besties, ready to let loose and forget about it all.
As soon as she walked into the booth, her raspy voice had her besties fuming.
"That little bitch is acting all sweet and innocent just to snatch your man. Come on, let's get even for you!"
Just as they were about to march out to get even, the booth door swung open and a girl with a high ponytail stepped in, carrying a crate of drinks.
"Hey, here's the drinks you ordered," she said.
As soon as they saw her face, someone in the booth burst out, "Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Penny Davis, the ice queen herself?"
"We were just about to come find you, and here you are, walking right into our trap."
Claire eyed Penny's waitress outfit, completely thrown off by what she was seeing.
Wasn't Henry supposed to be crazy in love with her? So why would he let her work in a hole like this?
Penny caught sight of Claire, her expression icy as she straightened her back, posture stiff and guarded.
"Claire, like I said before, you should focus on dealing with your own husband instead of bothering me," Penny replied coldly.
"And about all that drama online? I don't care at all. Honestly, love earned that way is worthless to me—cheap and meaningless."
"I'm only working at this bar so I can avoid him. So seriously, just keep this to yourself and don't tell him you saw me here."
Claire stood there, stunned, but before she could say a word, Penny flipped her ponytail and strode out of the room.
Claire's friends slammed the door shut, pointing at Penny and snapping, "Oh, the homewrecker is acting high and mighty. Who do you think you are?"
"You homewrecker! Not only did you not show some respect when you saw Claire, but you actually dared to yell at her?"
Penny snapped, her brows furrowing in annoyance, "How is it my fault she can't control her own husband? It's not like I jumped into his bed to steal him away. I'm the one who's getting screwed over here. If anyone owes an apology, it's her—ah!"
"Apologize? For what?"
One of Claire's friends smacked Penny hard across the face, yanked her by the hair, and dragged her to the table. "You enjoy being the homewrecker, right? Tonight, you'll really get to live it."
"Girls, strip her. Let everyone watch her get exposed."
Penny screamed in fear, "Let go of me."
Claire finally shook herself out of her daze and grabbed her friend's arm. "Let it go, girls. She's not worth it."
Just as her friends were about to speak, Penny spat at them from the floor, her eyes burning with anger.
"Quit acting all innocent, Claire. You're here just to rub it in, aren't you?" Penny snapped.
"Can't handle your own man, so you gotta make me your punching bag, huh?"
"Did you hear yourself?" Claire's eyes narrowed and, without hesitation, she slapped Penny hard across the face.
"Let me show you what a punching bag is like," she snapped.
Before Claire could say another word, the booth door slammed open, and a furious voice thundered through the room.
"Claire, you have a death wish?" Henry roared.
His eyes blazing with rage, Henry grabbed her wrist and, without hesitation, slapped her hard across the face.
Henry hit her so hard that she crashed to the floor, her head ringing, her cheek burning like fire.
She balled her fists, her eyes so red they looked ready to bleed, shooting him a glare full of pure rage.
Henry's chest tightened with guilt, and he instinctively moved to help her, but Penny's voice broke through the tension before he could.
"Claire, first you tried to strip me and shame me in front of everyone. Now you've slapped me. Got it all out of your system yet, or can I just leave?" Penny spat, still seething.
Penny stood her ground, eyes burning red, fists clenched so tight her knuckles were bone white, her chin jutting out in stubborn defiance as she refused to back down.
"Penny, what did you just say?"
Henry looked at her, absolutely stunned.
Penny, her eyes rimmed red, yanked her hand away from him, her voice thick with tears.
"Mr. Nolan, what will it take for you to finally leave me alone? Is this what you wanted—your wife trying to strip me and shame me in front of everyone? Are you really happy now?"
Claire's friends were left speechless, about to snap back, when suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the room.
Henry grabbed a bottle and smashed it hard against the floor, sending shards of glass flying everywhere.
Henry spun around, fixing Claire with a glare colder than ice. "Claire Ashton, didn't I tell you to stay the hell away from Penny? Why do you never listen? Are you just itching to piss me off?"
Claire pushed herself up from the floor, eyes burning with fury as she stared straight at him.
"Henry, I didn't even know she'd be here," she shot back, her voice trembling with rage.
Penny gave a shaky, self-mocking laugh, her eyes red and tired. "Yeah, I just happened to start working at this bar, and look at that, I just happened to end up in this booth. Can we just chalk this up to a misunderstanding, Mr. Nolan? Will you let me leave now?"
"Can you drop that sarcastic attitude?" one of Claire's friends snapped, her words dripping with anger.
Her friends, bristling with fury, shoved Penny right back.
"Aaaah!" Penny shrieked.
Her arm crashed down hard onto the shattered glass littering the floor. Blood burst out in an instant, pooling beneath her in a crimson mess.