NovelEnglishChapter 298 Atonement? She scoffed. She didn't need any of it.
All of this-apologies, promises, pleas-were nothing more than desperate attempts for comfort, a way for them to cling to sshred of hope after losing everything, after finally facing the consequences of their actions.
If Nathan had any better option left, he would never have ccrawling to her.
All the suffering she'd endured in the first half of her life had been a gift from the man standing before her. Why should she forgive the person who had hurt her the most? Not only did she refuse to forgive him, but she also believed Nathan's punishment was far from enough.
Her hatred ran deep-for Nathan, for Ethan, for Vanessa, for Adah, for Sophia, for Garnett Brown, and for Vincent and Brian.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEvery single one of them had chosen to hurt her, all for Vanessa's sake. They were her executioners, one and all. As for Jarrod and Karin, she couldn't quite say she hated them, but there was no affection in her heart, either. Their cruelty hadn't been for Vanessa-it had been for Irene, for vengeance.
Claire's gaze swept slowly, deliberately, across each face in the room.
None of them could meet her eyes. Shweighed down their heads, one by one.
Finally, Claire's gaze settled on Nathan, her voice calm, unwavering. "You may have betrayed me, but I won't stoop to your level. Go on-go back to where you cfrom." Nathan's eyes widened with terror.
What did she mean? Was she really going to send him back to that remote mountain village? No, he couldn't go back.
He remembered the day he'd left so clearly, leaving that wretched place with pride, convinced he'd never return. Now, he was nothing but a beaten-down stray. If he went back now, he'd becthe laughingstock of the entire region-all their gossip would drown him.
"No, no..." he whimpered, his voice cracking. "Claire, don't do this. I'm your father!" Claire's lips curled into a cold, silent smile.
Father? The day he abandoned her, she stopped having a father.
Her voice was soft, but her eyes were icy. "You and Vanessa are so close-I wouldn't dream of separating you. You can both go together. She can take care of her wonderful father." Vanessa trembled, her whole body shaking with fear.
She'd once flown over Nathan's hometown and seen the endless, rolling hills from above-a wilderness stretching as far as the eye could see.
If she was sent there, she'd never get out. Worse, she might fall prey to slonely, desperate local who'd force her into marriage.
"No, please, don't makego," Vanessa sobbed, tears starting to stream down her face. But Claire paid her pleas no mind.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmClaire's gaze landed on Adah. "Mrs. Linwood," she said coolly, "your husband cheated, your son's in prison, and the shock has left you unhinged. The best place for you is a mental hospital." Adah looked as if lightning had struck her. She stood rooted to the spot, stunned.
She might have been shaken, but she wasn't insane. She'd never imagined Claire would be this ruthless.
A mental institution? That was a place for the truly disturbed. Any sane person sent there would lose their mind in the end.
"Claire, I'm your mother!" Adah cried, desperation in her voice. "Are you really going to do this to me?"
Claire smiled politely. "Oh, Mrs.
Linwood, you're joking. I'm only giving back to you the heartlessness you showed me. I learned from the best-didn't I?"
"No, Claire, givea chance," Adah pleaded frantically. "Letmake it up to you-kswear, I'll spend the rest of my life making amends. If I don't-" Claire cut her off, her tone final. "I don't need anything from you." She turned, her gaze softening as it fell on the Foster family.
"I have my grandmother now. I have Grace, I have May, and... my fiancé, Mr. Foster."
As if on cue, Sean reached out and took Claire's hand, holding it up so everyone could see the sparkling ring e op her finger. His voice rang out, strong and certain, "Claire accepted my proposal long ago. From this day forward, I'll be by her side." Claire looked at Sean, and unshed tears shimmered in her eyes.
Sean turned to Liam and spoke with authority, "Liam, see to it that they're sent where they belong. Exactly as Claire wishes." "No!" Adah shrieked, her voice raw with agony. "Claire, I can't survive in a mental hospital-anywhere but there!" Claire just kept smiling. "I survived prison, didn't I? I'm sure Mrs. Linwood will find a way to get by."
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