Chapter 162: The Truth
The room fell silent as Chris stepped forward, his gaze locked on Claire's closed bedroom door.
Everyone—Alex, Emma, Margaret, Ivy, and Jake—moved aside, giving him space. Chris took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
He could feel the weight of everyone's hopes pressing down on him. They all wanted Claire to come out, but more than anything, he needed her to come out. Not because he was curious about what truly happened but because he wanted to understand her.
Clearing his throat, he spoke with a voice filled with quiet determination and his undying love. "Baby, I'm here for you. Don't you want to see the man that makes you smile? You need to know I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on."
There was no response from behind the door. Claire was trying as much as she could not to break into a sob at Chris's words.
Chris took a step closer. "I told you last night—I'm not going to leave you to handle this on your own. I'm your man, Claire. I belong right here beside you, and that's where I'm going to stay. Even if you don't come out, I'm going to remain here with everyone else."
Inside the room, Claire sat on the floor, her back resting on her bed frame and her body trembling with the wait of her emotions.
Tears streamed down her face as Chris's words echoed in her mind. Her heart ached. She felt broken—too broken to be loved. But hearing him say those things made something deep inside her stir.
Why won't he just leave? He deserves better than me. I can't give him back his love.
"Why can't you just listen to your aunt and leave me alone? Let me be, please! Go home, Chris," Claire called from inside, taking a shaky breath as different thoughts began spiraling round her head once again.
But those thoughts were interrupted when Chris's voice broke through again, firmer this time. "I know what my aunt has said. But I don't care about her words—not until I hear the truth from you."