Chapter 3
That night was pure torture. My parents went on and on about Sophia's "achievements", and not a single person spoke to me.
Sophia sat next to Jack, constantly brushing against his arm. From that day on, she began haunting our lives like a vengeful spirit.
When she wanted to enter the entertainment industry, she signed with Harrison Media the next day. When she strutted in and out of the Harrison Group building, the receptionist would respectfully tell her she could go wait in the CEO's office.
As for when I went to deliver documents, the receptionist would refuse me entry without an appointment.
In an interview, Sophia coyly said, "Jack and I grew up together. He's always looked out for me."
The next day, tabloid headlines screamed, "Harrison Group's CEO's Suspected Romance Exposed!"
Worse yet, my opportunities started getting snatched away.
"Chanel pulled their endorsement." Maria was fuming. "The Dior campaign's gone too. As for that supporting role in that film, the director changed his mind at the last minute."
A week later, Sophia's face was on the Chanel billboard.
With Jack turning a blind eye to all of it, our relationship deteriorated fast. He started going on constant business trips again, and then came the yacht party. The charity event was held on the Ashbourne River. Sophia wore a red dress, looking like a rose.
As she floated through the crowd with champagne in hand, Jack's gaze followed her wherever she went.
Someone remarked, "Your wife is beautiful."
They were referring to Sophia, yet Jack didn't correct them.
I stood alone on the deck, letting the wind brush my face. Just then, Matthew Anderson walked over. "Are you here alone?"
He took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. A second later, we heard a scream. Somehow, Sophia had tumbled over the railing. Instinct took over, and I plunged in after her.
The ice-cold water chilled me to my bones. Panicked, Sophia clung to me desperately, causing both of us to sink.
Jack jumped in right then. Without hesitation, he pushed me away and pulled Sophia into his arms.
"Sophia! Hold on!"
I had never seen him so frantic. He swam back to the yacht with her in his arms. People rushed over with towels and called for doctors.
After lifting her onto the deck, he wrapped her tightly in his arms, kissing her on the forehead. "You're okay now. You're okay."
And I was still in the water, struggling to breathe.
Through my blurred, teary vision, I saw Jack carrying Sophia to a waiting car. Never once did he look back at me.
Suddenly, a wave crashed over my head. I thrashed in the water, the sea flooding my nose and throat.
Everyone on deck was focused on the direction Jack and Sophia had gone. Not a single person noticed I was still in the water.
"Where's Claire?" Someone finally remembered me. "Oh my God! She's still in the water!"
"Quick! Somebody help her!"
By the time I was rushed to the hospital, I was barely conscious.
When I woke up, the only one by my bed was Maria. Her makeup was ruined; she had clearly been crying.
"Thank God, you're finally awake!" She gripped my hand. "The doctor said so much seawater went into your lungs that you almost developed a serious lung infection."
I tried moving my body. Aside from a burning throat, I felt mostly fine.
"I'm okay, Maria." My voice came out raspy, like sandpaper on skin.
"Okay? Do you even realize how close it was last night?" She stomped her foot out of anger. "That bastard Jack grabbed Sophia and ran off! Everyone forgot you were still in the water! If Matthew hadn't realized as quickly as he did—"
"That's enough," I cut her off, closing my eyes.
I thought I'd feel rage, that I'd break down. But I was strangely calm on the inside. So, this was what it felt like to completely give up on someone—there was nothing left but numbness.
That afternoon, while handling my discharge paperwork, I saw them in the hospital lobby. Jack was pushing a wheelchair. In it was Sophia, wrapped in a blanket and looking frail.
My parents were behind them. At the moment, Mom was gently tucking the corners of the blanket around Sophia.
"Slow down. Don't catch a cold." I had never heard Mom's voice that gentle.
Dad's hands were full of bags. "Sophia, what would you like to eat? I'll go get it for you."
They were chatting happily like a real family, whereas I stood 30 feet away, like an outsider. Not one of them noticed me.
Pulling out my phone, I called my lawyer. "I want a divorce. The sooner it happens, the better."
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