Chapter 5

All the words he once spoke, and all the things he did for her in the seven years of their marriage, had now become a joke.

Clara returned to her bedroom, closed the door, and sat in the darkness without turning on the light.

Her heart was empty and broken. She was utterly disillusioned.

Jerald's father's birthday dinner was set on a private cruise ship.

Clara sat at her vanity, watching the makeup artist shaping her brows. The woman in the mirror had gentle features, yet there was no joy in her eyes.

The door swung open. Cecilia walked in, holding her waist as she was pregnant, followed by Jerald.

She was wearing a dusty pink dress, but she fixed her gaze on the custom-made burgundy velvet gown hanging in the walk-in closet. It was hand-made by skilled tailors in a foreign country. Clara had specially prepared it for the dinner.

"That dress is beautiful," Cecilia said softly, caressing her belly, "Jerald, I want to wear that one."

Jerald frowned and said to Cecilia, "That belongs to Clara... "

"I don't care. I want to wear it." Cecilia leaned into Jerald's arms with her eyes reddening. "I'm carrying your child. And I can't even wear a dress I like? Do you really think I'm less important than someone's dress?"

Jerald, unable to resist her, turned to Clara and casually demanded, "Clara, it's just a dress. Let Cecilia have it. We should consider a pregnant woman's feelings."

Clara glanced at him through the mirror, stood up, and entered the walk-in closet to retrieve the dress. She held it out to Cecilia. "Are you sure you want to wear it?"

Cecilia didn't catch the undertone in her words and snatched the dress with a triumphant smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Lucas."

She held Jerald's arm and strode out the room, as if the dress had always been hers.

Jerald cast a guilty glance back at Clara before leaving. "Clara, don't be late for the dinner."

Clara didn't respond. After they left, she pulled out another black flared fishtail gown from the bottom of a wardrobe.

Its simple design accentuated her graceful figure even more.

When she arrived at the cruise ship, the dinner was about to begin.

Clara walked onto the deck holding Jerald's arm. Upon her arrival, the surrounding chatter paused for a moment.

Guests looked her with admiration and praise.

The black dress outlined her slender waist, her neckline was elegant. Her red lips contrasted with the black gown were making her look both dazzling and distant.

"Mrs. Lucas looks stunning today," a female guest whispered in awe. "Her elegance is truly unparalleled."

"Indeed. They say Mrs. Rernald was renowned for her beauty, and Mrs. Lucas resembles her."

"True, they share the same surname. Perhaps there's an ancestral connection between them."

"If the daughter of the Rernald family hadn't passed away, she would surely be the most beautiful woman in Hallen now."

Jerald paused, subconsciously tightening his grip on her hand. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

He knew Clara's beauty better than anyone else. If it weren't for the accident, he would never have let another woman into their family. Unfortunately, he needed a child.

To Cecilia, the admiration for Clara sounded unpleasant.

The burgundy velvet dress, with its lustrous fabric, accentuated her pregnant, bulky figure. Plus, her complexion was sallow. When she was standing next to Clara, it was clear to tell who was the true beauty.

Cecilia clenched her fists. Her gaze towards Clara was filled with malice.

Midway through the dinner, Clara excused herself for some fresh air and walked alone to the end of the deck.

The gentle sea breeze fondled her flowing hair. The lights in the distant city glittered.

She touched the necklace around her neck.

It was a silver collarbone chain with a small star pendant, gifted by Jerald on the day he confessed his love. She had been wearing it for many years.

"Clara!" Cecilia stormed over, hands on her hips. Her movement looked particularly awkward because of her pregnant figure.

"Did you do this on purpose?" Cecilia glared at her. "Dressing like that, who are you trying to impress? Do you want everyone to mock me?"

Clara ignored her and was about to leave.

"Stop!" Cecilia stepped forward to block her. Suddenly her gaze fell on the necklace around Clara's neck. Her eyes were lit up, "That necklace is beautiful. Give it to me."

"It was a gift from Jerald." Clara pressed her hand against the necklace, her tone turning cold. "I won't give it to you.

You have enjoyed stealing other's man and now you want to take everything willfully? Why don't you just asked Jerald for one? Oh right. It was made by her mother. And she told him to give it to the one in his love."

"I'll have what you have now!" Cecilia's gaze on the necklace grew more frenzied. She reached to grab the necklace. "Jerald is mine. The title of Mrs. Lucas is mine. And your necklace, too!"

"Let go!" Clara sidestepped her.

Seeing Clara evade her, Cecilia's madness intensified. She lunged forward, grabbed Clara's wrist with one hand and clutched the necklace chain with the other. She was irritated that she even scratched Clara's skin with her nails. "I won't let go! It belongs to me! You, a woman who can't bear children, have no right to hold the position of Mrs. Lucas or wear a necklace from him!"

The chain tightened painfully around Clara's neck. Clara forcefully shook Cecelia off. As they struggled, Cecilia slipped and fell to the ground. Jerald, who had just rounded the corner of the deck, happened to see it.

"Jerald!" Cecilia screamed.

Jerald had come looking for Clara. Seeing this, he felt his heart tightened and rushed to hold Cecilia and shield her behind him.

When he realized it was that Clara and Cecilia quarreling and fighting, and noticed Cecilia's face was pale and she was protecting her belly with her hand, his gaze towards Clara turned icy. He reprimanded her sharply, "Clara! Why are you doing to her? She's pregnant!"

Clara's wrist still bore the red marks caused by Cecilia's grip. She stared at Jerald, watching him protecting Cecilia and seeing his complete bias towards another woman.

She noticed a few guests nearby, peering and whispering with their eyes filled with curiosity and yearn for gossip.

All her grievances and despair coalesced into a fierce resolve.

As Jerald was about to speak, Clara raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The slap echoed clearly in the sea breeze.

Jerald was stunned, clutching his face and staring at Clara in shock.

Cecilia was also taken aback, forgetting to pretend to be weak.

The distant murmurs ceased abruptly.

Clara's hand tingled slightly.

She looked at Jerald calmly and said resolutely, "Jerald, we're getting a divorce."