Chapter 1016

“Felix…” she had called out tentatively, her voice so soft she feared she might startle him.

The man slowly raised his head. Those once commanding eyes were now terrifyingly vacant, swimming with shattered light and an inescapable, pitch-black

sorrow.

He looked at her, but it felt like he was staring right through her at something else. His gaze was unfocused, utterly desolate.

His complexion was deathly pale.

When Claire reached out to touch him, she realized he was burning up with a massive fever.

She urged him to see a doctor.

But he completely ignored her, standing stubbornly in the cold courtyard.

Seeing him in such a miserable state, Claire had assumed this was his silent rebellion against their marriage.

She had quietly poured him a glass of water, gently offering it to him as she said, “If you want a divorce, we can talk about it.”

Felix slowly looked up at her, his expression unreadable.

But in the end, he didn’t say a single word, just remained frozen in place.

Back then, ignorant of the truth, she thought he despised her so much that he couldn’t even stomach speaking to her.

She had no idea that in that very moment, a torrential, catastrophic storm was raging inside the man’s heart.

And while that storm had nothing to do with her, she was the catalyst.

Old Mrs. Quigley squeezed Claire’s hand, offering comfort. “Sweetheart, none of this was your fault. You must never blame yourself. Everything that happened was because of that stubborn old man’s mistakes. That’s why I have to set things right before I leave.”

She stroked Claire’s hair affectionately. “Just pretend this marriage never happened. Pretend you never met him. Go live the life you’ve always wanted, and be happy. I’m leaving you my estate so you never have to rely on anyone’s charity or walk on eggshells again. You won’t be at anyone’s mercy. Do whatever you want, and be truly free.”

She could have easily taken this secret to the grave.

But she… she had her own selfish motives.

Felix was her grandson, after all. She loved him dearly, and seeing him suffer broke her heart.

She wanted to tear down the walls between them and give her grandson one last chance.

To see if there was any hope for them to start over.

Get a divorce, reintroduce themselves, and begin again with a clean slate.

If it wasn’t meant to be, then so be it.

When the doctor pronounced the time of death, Claire finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Felix stood right beside her.

He didn’t say a word. He simply pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she wept.

When her parents died, she was too young to fully comprehend the permanence of death.

This was the first time she had truly experienced the soul-crushing agony of losing a loved one.

She had been trying to prepare

herself

hentally ever since the

doctor warned them that Old Mrs.

Quigley’s days were numbered.

But when the moment actually arrived, the grief wasn’t lessened in the slightest.

There were so few people in this world who genuinely loved her, and today, she had lost one of them.

The funeral was simple, honoring

Old Mrs. Quigley’s final wishes. Only

a few close family members

gathered at the cemetery to read the eulogy and leave floral tributes.

It snowed heavily again in Northcrest that day.

The swirling snow blanketed the earth, burying the beloved matriarch forever.

After the service, Claire and Felix left the cemetery in the same car.

“Keep then

+

Breaking the silence, Felix spoke. properties and the jewelry Grandma left you. Don’t feel guilty about it.”

Claire gave a noncommittal hum, her eyes lowered, lost in thought.

“About the divorce…” Felix started, hesitating before finally bringing it up.

Claire cut him off. “I’ll see you at city hall in twenty days.”