Tempting Him to Lose Control

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Your Dad, a Pure Scumbag

Claire Kendall stared blankly at the character for "star."

The words Stella Locke had spoken at the old family home echoed in her ears. She’d mentioned winning third place in that international design competition.

Stella Locke was his sun.

Claire Kendall pressed her tongue against her teeth, a sour feeling overwhelming her.

’Heh, to think that old man Miles Warren was such an artsy type when he was younger.’

’He should change his name to Magnus Warren. A name fit for a sun-chaser.’

She had long known she was a substitute, that he had someone else in his heart.

But when the evidence of Miles Warren’s love for another was laid out so nakedly before her, Claire Kendall couldn’t remain calm and accept it.

What’s more, the one he never got over had already returned.

Claire Kendall clenched the piece of paper, wanting to tear it to shreds. The paper strained taut, emitting a faint tearing sound.

After a long, stiff moment, she stopped and slowly smoothed the love letter back out.

’Forget it... This is Miles Warren’s property. It has nothing to do with me, and I have no right to do anything with it.’

She stood up, walked into the study, and placed the love letter on his desk.

Claire Kendall lowered her gaze to the large blue stone on her ring finger, her eyes beginning to sting.

’Even the ring belonged to someone else. Miles Warren really couldn’t be bothered to put in any effort.’

Claire Kendall pulled off the ring and placed it on top of the letter.

A faint indentation remained on the soft pad of her finger. She rubbed it hard a few times, but the mark wouldn’t fade.

Clementine jumped onto the chair and rubbed its head against Claire Kendall’s leg.

Claire Kendall scooped it up, poked its head, and said seriously, "You’re not allowed in this room anymore, got it?"

"Meow~"

The little kitten stretched out its paws, a little disgruntled.

"Clementine, you don’t have a father anymore. We need to pack our things and be ready to bolt at a moment’s notice."

"Meow?"

Claire Kendall snorted. "Your father is a total scumbag. Rotten to the core."

She rubbed the little guy’s belly. "How about I find you a new dad? A young, handsome, gentle one."

’The kind who spanks you when he’s angry is a definite no.’

"MEOW!!"

Clementine struggled out of her arms and ran off.

"You ungrateful little thing. You’ve forgotten who rescued you, haven’t you?"

Claire Kendall left the study and took out her phone, sending a message to a lawyer in her contacts.

[Attorney Blake, could you please draft a divorce agreement for me? There are no property disputes, so a simple one will do.]

Her finger hovered over the send button for a long time before she finally pressed it.

Claire Kendall turned off her phone, tilted her head back to look at the ceiling, and let out a long breath.

’Stop agonizing over it. This is it.’

’I just never thought I’d earn the "divorced" title after only one month of marriage.’

’But it’s for the best.’

Cutting her losses was one of Claire Kendall’s life principles. She’d been just as decisive with Jacob Sinclair. It was just that her eyes were stinging for some reason.

Lindsay Joyce’s surgery was scheduled for nine in the morning. Claire Kendall rushed to Aethel General Hospital.

As she headed to the inpatient department, all the young nurses’ eyes fell on her, and they couldn’t help but start gossiping.

Although Claire Kendall had walked some distance away, she could still faintly hear them.

’Whatever. We’re getting a divorce anyway.’

"What’s going on? It looks like the blue diamond ring on Ms. Kendall’s hand is gone!"

"I saw it too! It’s bare, there’s nothing there."

"Don’t tell me she really split up with Professor Warren?"

"Sigh, probably. Look how pale Ms. Kendall is today. She must have cried late into the night. I feel so bad for her..."

Miles Warren and Jonathan Keller walked past, side by side.

The young nurses were so engrossed in their discussion that they didn’t notice them at all.

Jonathan Keller deliberately cleared his throat. "Ahem... Why don’t you all go check on the OR? See if Professor Olek needs anything."

The young nurses, embarrassed, scattered in a flash.

Jonathan Keller’s first instinct was to look at Miles Warren’s right hand.

His wedding ring was still sitting securely on his finger.

Ever since he got married, Jonathan Keller had never seen Miles Warren take the thing off, except for surgery.

He lowered his voice. "Miles, what’s going on? The last time we went to the Isle of Stillness, you two seemed to be getting along great."

Miles Warren’s fingers unconsciously stroked his wedding ring and the string of blessed prayer beads on his wrist. His eyes darkened.

’Were they getting along great?’

’He was just trying to paint a picture of domestic bliss, while she was merely maintaining a semblance of decency in front of others.’

"It’s nothing," Miles Warren said, his face impassive. "Let her throw her tantrum."

Jonathan Keller sighed. Anyone who didn’t know the real story would think Miles Warren was the one who wanted to break up with Claire Kendall, unaware that Miles was the one doing all the groveling.

He muttered, "I really don’t get you. What kind of spell did she put on you? You could have any wife you want."

Miles Warren shot him a cold glance, and Jonathan Keller made a ’zip-it’ motion with his hand.

Inside the hospital room, Lindsay Joyce’s surgical prep was complete, her head shaved clean.

"Lindsay, don’t be nervous. It’s just like taking a nap," Claire Kendall soothed her in a low voice.

Lindsay Joyce stared at her, a helpless smile on her lips. "Claire, your hands are drenched in sweat. You’re telling me not to be nervous? You should stop being nervous first."

Claire Kendall pressed her lips together. It was a craniotomy estimated to take five hours. Even with a renowned specialist like Professor Olek performing the surgery, she was still worried.

The door to the hospital room opened.

Jonathan Keller’s playful voice rang out, "Well now, Ms. Joyce, that’s a pretty cool look!"

Lindsay Joyce rolled her eyes at him.

Claire Kendall turned her head and her eyes met Miles Warren’s.

His voice was calm. "Lindsay Joyce, it’s time to go to the operating room."

As he spoke, he handed the medical file to Claire Kendall.

Her fair fingers closed around the manila envelope.

Miles Warren’s gaze dropped, fixing on her bare fingers, and he didn’t let go of the envelope.

Claire Kendall saw that his wedding ring was still properly on his hand.

She felt a strange pang of guilt, curled her fingers slightly, and forcefully pulled the file from his grasp.

Miles Warren slowly averted his gaze and said to Lindsay Joyce, "Follow me."

The operating room was on the sixth floor. Lindsay Joyce was wheeled into the anesthesia room, while Professor Olek and his team entered the OR to perform their pre-operative checks.

Claire Kendall sat down in the waiting area, her heart pounding with anxiety.

The elevator doors opened, and Ian Rhodes walked out. He held something out to Claire Kendall.

"Claire, have a cup of warm milk." He sat down beside her as he spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

"The last of the orders at OCHH are pretty much handled." Ian Rhodes offered a smile. "It’s Lindsay’s surgery, and she doesn’t have any family around. I couldn’t just let you wait here all alone."

"I know you’re having a hard time. I’ll stay with you. It’s better with two people."

Claire Kendall took the warm milk. "Thank you." She couldn’t manage any more words, her eyes fixed on the clock on the wall outside the operating room. Every minute was an agony.

Ian Rhodes saw it.

The ring on her hand was gone.

He wanted to ask about it, but this wasn’t the right time or place. He held back, but a hint of secret delight appeared in his eyes.

He took off his jacket, moving to drape it over Claire Kendall’s shoulders.

"Claire, the AC is a bit low. You should put this on so you don’t catch a cold. OCHH is counting on you."

Not far away, around the corner of the hallway, Miles Warren was leaning against the wall, his gaze dark. His craving for a cigarette was kicking in.

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