“Mr. Barrette, please get ready, we’re about to start.”
“Alright!”
By now, Claudine had already come up to Damian.
Damian glanced at her bare ring finger, his brows furrowing slightly.
The host had already invited them on stage; Damian took her right hand and led her up.
This interview, though said to be about the couple, was actually focused on introducing the Barrette Group in its first
half.
Claudine, sitting beside him, was more like a decoration and a supporting role.
She sat quietly, occasionally cooperating with Damian, exchanging smiles, or clapping at the right moments when his business achievements were mentioned.
At this moment, the host suddenly asked, “Mrs. Barrette, why don’t you tell us how you and Mr. Barrette met?”
Claudine was silent for a moment.
She had seen this question in the script, along with the answer prepared by the production team.
But at that moment, she suddenly realized that if she didn’t say certain things now, she might never get another chance in her life.
It wasn’t to make Damian understand her feelings, but to give herself closure–to give the self who had loved him for eleven years an explanation.
“The first time I saw him was in my senior year of high school, when the school invited him to give a speech to the graduates.
***
Claudine’s voice was very soft.
Taking this opportunity, she spoke aloud the secret crush she had hidden in her heart for eleven years.
From that fateful glance in the crowd that changed her life, to the joy of learning she could marry the one she loved after graduation.
Claudine finally had the chance to share her feelings with this man.
Only, she no longer loved him now.
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No matter how passionate the feelings, they couldn’t withstand five years of coldness and wear.
Of course, Claudine only told half her story.
Like all fairy tales, she left the ending at the happiest day of a woman’s life.
It was the first time Damian had heard all this.
He couldn’t help but glance at the woman beside him; she didn’t look like she was lying.
He really had given a speech at a high school in Reedport.
Usually so clear–headed, he now felt a bit confused.
Had Claudine ever truly loved him…?
Was what she just said really true…?
Applause filled the studio, and the host picked up a tissue to wipe away tears.
“I never expected Mrs. Barrette’s feelings for Mr. Barrette to be so deep. Your love story is truly enviable.
“So, Mrs. Barrette, has Mr. Barrette ever done anything that especially moved you?”
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“Yes, he would pick roses from the garden for me when I hadn’t woken up yet, and on my birthday, he would person- ally prepare surprises for me. He remembers my preferences and takes care of me when I’m sick.”
Claudine casually made up a few answers.
Damian frowned tightly beside her.
He had never done any of those things for her.
Were these things what she longed for?
The interview was soon broadcast online.
“Wishing Mrs. Barrette good luck, marrying her beloved!”
“Who says there’s no love in wealthy families!”
“True romance only comes from the rich!”
These headlines quickly trended.
Naturally, Roberto saw them too.
It was as if he was torturing himself, listening to Claudine’s words on the show over and over again.
He remembered that speech she mentioned as well.
That day, he too had gone on stage as the outstanding student representative to give a speech.
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But did she only remember Damian?
What did all her care for him during those three years of high school mean?
When he was surrounded by those people in the alley, when they splashed soup on his face in the cafeteria, when they dumped leftovers into his bowl and humiliated him like a dog.
It was Claudine who stood by his side, held his hand, and handed him a clean handkerchief.
It was Claudine, time and again, who reached out to pull him up when he was about to give up.
At that time, everyone thought they were a couple, even he believed so.
But was all of that just sympathy?
No! It couldn’t be!
If Claudine didn’t like him, why would she stand by his side when everyone else hated him!
But thinking carefully, it seemed she was this kind to everyone…
Roberto clutched his head in pain, letting out a beast–like roar of anguish.
He refused to believe it!
What Claudine said in the video couldn’t possibly be true!
Claudine couldn’t possibly love Damian!
He would never believe it!
***
After the interview ended, Claudine returned to the dressing room to remove her makeup.
Damian greeted a few of the station’s executives, then came to the dressing room to wait for Claudine.
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