Chapter 6

Clara POV

My preparations for studying abroad went smoothly. I used the trust fund my parents left me as a deposit for my overseas education.

I thought I had done everything perfectly.

Liam pushed open my room door without warning, a document in his hand, his face somber as he stood in the doorway.

"You touched the money your parents left you?"

He slammed the document onto my desk. It was a screenshot of an email from a lawyer.

My heart sank.

I had forgotten that Liam was the trustee for the fund.

"A deposit for studying abroad?"

Liam stared at me, his eyes sharp.

I said nothing.

Seeing my silence, Liam suddenly snorted, his tone full of arrogance and mockery.

"What, I'm getting married, and you're so upset you're running off to 'clear your head' abroad?"

Liam never once considered that I might be leaving permanently.

In his world, I couldn't live without him.

Seeing that I still wouldn't speak, the mockery slowly faded from Liam's face, replaced by a softer expression.

He walked over, pulled out the chair next to me, and sat down, playing the role of the benevolent guardian.

"Clara, stop being difficult."

His tone softened, even carrying a hint of imperceptible coaxing.

"Ever since Stella arrived, you've been so cold to me. But she's the woman I love, the wife I'm going to marry."

Liam paused, reaching out to touch my head, but I subtly avoided his hand.

His hand froze in mid-air, then he awkwardly withdrew it.

"If you truly love me,"

He looked at me, saying something that made me feel utterly disgusted.

"You should love my wife too."

My stomach churned.

Liam's gaze fell on my desk, where a few small gifts he had given me were displayed.

He walked over, as if surveying his spoils of war.

He picked up a doll, the first gift he had given me when I first arrived at the Liam household.

"See? You've kept all these things so well."

He held up the doll, shaking it at me as if showing off.

"And you still say you don't love me?"

I looked at the object in his hand, saying nothing.

His tone suddenly shifted, the warmth on his face instantly vanishing, becoming cold and stern.

"You should put all these things away."

He tossed the doll back onto the desk, his voice impatient.

"Stella is pregnant now, her emotions are sensitive. Seeing these things might make her overthink, might upset her."

He looked at me, word by word.

"I wouldn't want anything to happen to my wife and son."

I finally looked up at him.

"Mm."

I acknowledged him.

Then, right in front of him, I picked up the gifts he had given me that were still on the desk, the doll, the remains of the music box, and other odds and ends, one by one, and, without a trace of hesitation, threw them into a storage box in the corner.

My movements were decisive. Not a hint of reluctance.