Chapter 22
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Claudine met his gaze, steady now.
She had her pride. She didn’t want him to think the divorce was a bluff or that she was clinging to him and Darlene.
So she braced herself and said something she never thought she would.
“You think I want to take care of Darlene?
“She’s not even my child. What makes you think you can expect that from me?
“You’re her father. Where were you when she needed you?”
Outside the door, Darlene heard everything.
She stood there barefoot, frozen.
And she believed it.
“Miss Barrette, why are you out here without shoes?”
A servant noticed Darlene, walked up, and carried her back to the room.
Darlene glanced back at the closed door. Her small hands rubbed at her face to stop the tears from falling.
She decided she didn’t like Claudine anymore.
In the master bedroom, Damian stared coldly at Claudine.
He couldn’t believe she’d just said that.
She’d always been emotional and jealous. But with Darlene, she’d been kind and patient.
“Claudine. I didn’t know you were this petty. Don’t forget I married you because-”
She cut him off. “Because Darla needed a mother. You’ve said it too many times.
“And now you’ve got someone new. Why not let her take over?
“What’s stopping you? Or are you just now figuring out that raising a kid isn’t that easy?
“You spent the night with another woman and left your daughter with me, the scheming woman you despise. What kind of father does that?”
With that, Claudine shoved past him, opened the door, and walked out.
Damian stood alone.
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Chapter 22
She slammed the door, which only made him angrier.
Now he was certain she knew about Audrey and had followed him.
Taking care of Darlene was her responsibility, but she blamed him.
He couldn’t help wondering if it was his fault for letting her get away with too much.
Claudine was ridiculous!
***
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Claudine thought Darlene was still asleep.
She paused at the door, took a breath, and pushed it open.
She didn’t want to bring her anger into the room.
But Darlene was already awake, sitting up in bed.
Claudine walked over quickly. “You’re up? Is your skin still itchy? I’ll put on some more ointment.”
“Just leave me alone!”
Darlene suddenly jumped up and shoved her.
“I don’t want you here. You’re so fake! Just go!”
Then she pushed Claudine out of the room.
Still in her pajamas, Claudine knocked on the door.
“Darla, let me in. I need to change.”
Behind the door, Darlene wiped her tears, replaying every word she’d heard.
“I hate you. I don’t want to see you again. Just go away.”
Claudine’s hand froze in the air and stopped knocking.
She was beginning to feel pathetic.
One phone call had brought her running. She’d stayed up all night caring for Darlene. Once she was better, she pushed Claudine away.
To the Barrette family, Claudine was just someone they could call when needed and toss aside just as easily.
She couldn’t take it anymore.
She went downstairs, grabbed her keys, and left.
Darlene heard the sound and ran barefoot to the window. She watched Claudine walk away without looking back.
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Chapter 22
Damian heard crying and hurried to Darlene’s room.
She was sitting on the carpet, sobbing hard.
He knelt down and gently pulled her into his arms, whispering, “What’s wrong?”
She clung to him, gasping for breath.
But she wasn’t about to admit she was upset because Claudine had left.
She just kept crying, refusing to speak.
Damian guessed she might be feeling sick again and asked a servant to fetch the family doctor.
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The servant came in and said, “Is Miss Barrette still itchy? Mrs. Barrette put the ointment on last night. She should be fine by now. Wait, where is Mrs. Barrette?”
Darlene sniffled. “She left.”
“She left?” The servant blinked. “But she didn’t sleep at all last night. Why would she leave so early?”
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