chapter85
But now she understood that it was her constant indulgence that made the child believe Claudine’s care was some- thing she deserved.
It made her feel that, in Darlene’s heart, she was less important than a woman who gave her medicine and played with the dog.
Claudine’s heart had completely grown cold toward Darlene.
She spoke.
“You also said you hated me and didn’t want to see me!
Darla, no one will always be good to someone who doesn’t know how to be grateful, not even to a child.
“I can understand you don’t like me, and I can accept that you prefer your mother. Likewise, you now have to get used to my indifference toward you.
This is your home. If you need anything, you can go to Angie or the others.
“From now on, I won’t take care of you anymore.”
After speaking, Claudine ignored Darlene’s reddened eyes and turned to leave the dining room.
“Waa…”
Watching Claudine walk away, Darlene couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into tears.
No matter how the servants tried to comfort her, it was useless; they stood by, anxious and at a loss.
Claudine paid no attention. She walked up the stairs, returned to her bedroom, and shut the door tightly.
Damian received the call just after finishing a drinking session.
His voice was a little hoarse, especially intoxicating in the deep of night.
Audrey lay on the bed, speaking into the receiver.
“Dami, I’ve sent Darla back, but I’m worried no one is taking care of her over there. I’m afraid she won’t sleep well without me tonight.”
Damian had already returned to his hotel room by then. He rubbed his brow and leaned back on the sofa.
“You don’t need to worry. Claudine will take good care of Darla. She’s always been very attentive and caring toward
her.”
Audrey’s tone sounded casual, but carried a hint of unconscious coquettishness.
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“But I’m still worried. When I left today, Darla was crying so sadly. Claudine… oh, no, your wife, she was probably busy and didn’t come out to comfort Darla. When I left, Darla was still crying in the yard.”
“Dami, I know your wife is very good to Darla, and I shouldn’t worry, it makes me seem like I don’t trust her enough,
but…”
As she spoke, Audrey began to sob quietly.
“I’m just a little uneasy. After all, your wife has always had issues with me, and I’m afraid that because of me, she might treat Darla…”
Audrey didn’t finish her sentence.
But the choked sobs over the phone fully conveyed her unspoken grievance and vulnerability.
Damian could understand Audrey’s maternal concern.
He comforted her in a low voice, “I’ll call back and check in a bit. It’s late, get some rest. The interview is coming up soon, good luck.”
Audrey replied, “Okay, thank you, Dami.”
After hanging up, Damian picked up the cigarette box on the coffee table, shook out a cigarette, and held it between his lips.
The flame lit up the dim room for a moment, his face obscured in the faint light.
When the flame died, only a spot of crimson remained.
By the time he finished the cigarette, much of Damian’s drunkenness had faded.
These days, he had deliberately avoided thinking about Claudine. That child had always been a thorn stuck in his heart.
He didn’t believe Claudine would do something so outrageous.
Suspecting the child was someone else’s had been a moment of impulsiveness, when he lost his reason.
Besides, he remembered that once, after drinking, he lost control and didn’t take any precautions.
Counting the time, it was probably that occasion.
Perhaps Claudine knew he didn’t want children, so she got rid of the child behind his back.
Or maybe she knew Roberto was returning to the country, so she didn’t want to keep his child…
The knot of frustration in Damian’s chest pressed down again.
He took out another cigarette and went to stand by the window.
The neon lights outside were no different from Bronzevale. He lit the cigarette, exhaled a stream of blue smoke, and
dialed a number.
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The phone rang for a long time with no answer; Damian assumed Claudine had already gone to bed.
He didn’t call again.
As for what Audrey said, he wasn’t worried.
Claudine had always been devoted to Darlene; that was beyond doubt.
The rest could wait until he finished his work here and returned to Bronzevale.
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Claudine kept her word and truly stopped caring about Darlene.
Darlene also got stubborn; since that night, she ignored Claudine as well.
The two treated each other as if they were invisible.
But while Claudine genuinely didn’t care, Darlene kept doing things to try to get Claudine’s attention.
The day of the interview was fast approaching.
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