Clara's fingertips tightened around the suitcase handle, the cold plastic digging into her knuckles until they turned white. She didn't turn around; her throat felt like it was stuffed with a wet cotton ball, a suffocating pain.
"I...want to move somewhere else." Her voice was hoarse, trembling slightly from crying, perfectly portraying a vulnerable and helpless woman after being hurt.
Liam tightened his arms around her, his chest pressed against her back, his heartbeat audible through the thin fabric. But that heartbeat no longer gave her the same sense of security she once felt.
"Are you still blaming me for signing the letter of understanding?" He sighed, his tone full of helplessness. "I was just worried about you making a fuss. Your eyesight isn't good, and going to court and finding a lawyer would be exhausting."
These words sound like considerate, but the next sentence reveals the sharp edge hidden beneath the gentleness.
"Besides, Noah's still a child, what does he know?" His fingertips gently caressed her waist, his tone light, yet every word pierced her heart. "Vanessa's been blaming herself so much these past few days that she can't eat, so don't keep bringing it up, okay?"