Chapter 3

I shook my head frantically. "No, I'm not going in."

Edward looked amused. "Claire, didn't you always say you were sorry and wanted to make me happy?

"So what, you're not trying anymore? Can't handle something this simple? Get in the pool!"

The water looked like a monster's mouth. I was freaking out inside, but my voice wouldn't work—I just kept shaking my head.

"No! No!"

Edward kept advancing. "Get in there and find it!"

I stumbled backward, trapped.

He raised his hand like he might hit me. My heart went numb with fear. My foot slipped, and I fell straight into the deep, dark pool.

Memories of loss and drowning flooded my mind, just like the water swallowing me whole.

Mom, Mom... please save me. Why did you leave me all alone? I was so tired.

My head was pounding, and I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't fight anymore—just sank down, dazed, into the cold darkness below.

When I came to, I wasn't with my mom—I was back in the room, alive.

Edward put down his papers.

"You're awake? Got anything to say?"

I didn't know what he wanted. I spoke numbly.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't find Sophie's ring underwater. Everything went black as soon as I went in."

Edward gave me a mocking look.

"Alright, you're fine. I have to go. You're such a good person—don't go running to my mom, okay?"

As he was leaving, he gave me a strange look. "Claire, you really are a fool. This is all you'll ever be."

If I could just prove to Nancy that I could live normally, maybe my life wouldn't have to be like this.

It was kind of sad, honestly. I used to think Charles might've been good for me.

On Edward's birthday—as head of the Grant Group, his birthday was always a massive social event—I had to show up and play the dutiful wife, no matter what was happening between us.

I spotted Charles, who I hadn't seen in ages. He just raised an eyebrow, watching us fake it with that amused expression.

I ducked my head, embarrassed. After the media interviews, Edward clinked glasses with me over weak champagne, then shoved me aside.

But something was seriously wrong. My head was spinning, my skin tingling and burning.

Strange feelings I'd never experienced were taking over my body.

If I stayed any longer, I was going to make a complete fool of myself.

I stumbled upstairs toward the suite. As soon as I got out of the elevator, I nearly crashed into Charles.

"Why are you here? Stop trying to make friends with me. I told you, I'm not playing your games..."

But before he could finish, Charles saw how red my face was and froze.

"You... what's wrong?"

I couldn't take it anymore. I brushed past him and rushed to my suite.

After locking the door, I turned around—only to find a strange man in a bathrobe sitting on the bed, looking at me with a sleazy grin.

My whole body was going weak. "Who are you? This is my room!"

The man stood up with a sleazy grin, slowly walking toward me.

"Claire, I'm a friend of Edward's. Thought I'd come by and get to know you better."

Alarm bells rang in my head. I grabbed the doorknob, ready to run.

But he didn't look worried. "Claire, the paparazzi are downstairs. The second you step out, they'll get their shots, and Edward can divorce you without any hassle."

He yanked my shoulder strap so roughly that it hurt. I shoved his hand away.

"No! I'm still Mrs. Grant!"

He snorted. "Didn't Edward show you his way of making friends?

"I'm just trying to make friends with you, same as him."

Tears streamed down my face. "No, this isn't how you make friends! Don't touch me!"

He grabbed my hair and slammed me against the door. "Isn't this how it works? If you don't believe me, call Edward."

He grabbed my phone and dialed. My voice cracked as I cried out.

"Edward, help me!"

Edward's voice came through, cold and flat. "Claire, my friend just wants to get to know you. Don't overreact."

He said to the man, "Zayn, she's just a fool. Enjoy yourself."

He hung up. Zayn flashed a sleazy grin, yanking at my clothes. "See? Edward told me to come 'make friends' with you."

I was pinned against the door. No matter how hard I fought, I couldn't get away.

I cried myself out in despair. His hand was already inside my clothes when suddenly, someone kicked the door.

Like a lifeline—I grabbed the chance and twisted the doorknob.

Charles kicked the door open and saw Zayn with me pressed against the wall.

Furious, Charles yanked Zayn off me and slapped him hard. "Get the hell out!"

Zayn opened his mouth to yell back, but when he saw it was Charles, he stammered, "Mr. Bennett... I'm leaving. Now."

Now it was just me and Charles left in the room.

"Please, get me out of here," I pleaded.

Charles nodded and helped me out, but once we got in the elevator, I couldn't hold back anymore—I threw myself at him, desperate and out of control.

"Will you be my friend?"

I kept rubbing my face against his jaw, unable to stop myself.

Charles' jaw tightened as he pushed me away. "Claire, I told you—this isn't right."

I burst into tears. "You don't want to be my friend either? I'm not stupid. I'm not dumb!

"If you won't, then I'll find someone else."

I hit a random floor button, desperate to escape.

But Charles' expression turned stormy as he grabbed me. "Don't you dare!

"Claire, I don't want to be the homewrecker here, but you brought this on yourself."

He loomed over me, pinning me to the elevator wall. My whole body went weak.

The floor I'd pressed lit up, and the elevator doors slid open.

Edward showed up right then, just in time to see us in the elevator.

His eyes blazed. "Claire, what are you doing?"

I peeked out from Charles' arms, tilting my head. "I'm just making friends. The way you showed me."