Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 40

While I was distracted, Anna suddenly lunged at me, trying to snatch the bracelets.

"Let go!"

Ignoring my weakened state, I fought back with all my strength, unwilling to give up Grandma's last gift.

"Anna! Stop it! That's Clara's grandmother's heirloom!"

For the first time, Marcus yelled at Anna.

Anna froze, turning to look at him in disbelief.

Tears streamed down her face.

"Marcus, you've fallen for her, haven't you?"

"You kept saying you wanted to make it up to me, but what about now? You wouldn't let me stay at your house, you refused to give me a microphone, and now I can't even have a bracelet?"

"Did you forget? I got hurt saving you! I suffered for five years because of you!"

Her voice turned hysterical as she grabbed my hair and yanked.

I slapped her across the face.

Hard.

My hand stung from the impact.

"What's your problem? Take it out on Marcus, not me!"

Anna's eyes turned red with rage.

"You bitch! How dare you hit me?!"

"Damn right I did."

I glared at her.

She always played the fragile beauty, but her expression now was sharp and venomous.

Anna was taller than me by half a head.

With ease, she yanked my hair again, dragging me backward toward the staircase.

Then, she shoved me.

My foot slipped.

I lost my balance.

My body tipped backward, tumbling down the stairs.

A dull thud echoed as I crashed against the floor.

I heard the crisp sound of jade shattering.

Dazed, I saw blood pooling around me.

It must be mine.

But strangely, I felt no pain.

Was I dying?

I hadn't even had the chance to find my birth parents yet.

I hadn't even lived a day as the heiress of the richest family.

That's right—

I had just learned from Grandma's letter that I was the true daughter of the wealthiest family.

Losing consciousness, my last thought was:

What a damn waste.

I was hospitalized again.

This time, Marcus never left my side.

But I didn't want to see him.

The doctors told me the baby was gone.

That was fine.

A child who was never wanted should never have been born.

Marcus, as if afraid I'd do something drastic, never left my sight.

Even when I went to the restroom, he followed.

I never realized how clingy he could be.

But he didn't know—

I pulled away, his scent making me nauseous.

Looking up, I met his reddened eyes.

The dim light caught the strands of hair falling over his forehead, casting soft shadows over his pale lips.

"Let's get a divorce, Marcus."

He acted like he hadn't heard me.

Instead, he walked to the table, picked up a box, and held it out to me.

"Clara, look—I searched every antique store and found these bracelets. They're just like your grandmother's."

"And this ring—I had it remade just for you…"

The once untouchable CEO of Grayson Corporation—

Now groveling before a woman.

I couldn't help but laugh.

My nose stung.

"Marcus, there's no need for this. Let's get a divorce."

"Grandma is gone. The child is gone. You don't have to spend another cent on me."

"You taught me that a substitute should know her place, didn't you?"

His pupils trembled.

He stood frozen in place.

"Clara, I'll find out the truth behind the accident. Just give me some time."

He had more to say, but I didn't want to hear another word.

"The divorce papers and my lawyer's contact are on the table. From now on, deal with him directly."

I turned to leave.

Behind me, I heard the sound of him collapsing to the ground.

His voice, calling my name, sounded so much like a lost, abandoned dog.