Chapter 13 The Gift , I Received It Clara's lashes trembled lightly , but she said nothing . Mrs. Lane picked up a pair of ruby earrings from the side . " And these ' Flames of Passion ' earrings - you remember ? You stayed up nights coding that critical AI demo , worked yourself sick , and Mr. Carter stayed at your bedside for days . Then he bought these earrings . " " He said they symbolized the fire you burned for him , and his love for you that would never go out . " Clara's fingertips curled slightly . Mrs. Lane went on , one piece after another , each jewel carrying a memory of once - intense love . Moments that had once moved her , intoxicated her , made her believe in forever . Now every word was like honeyed blades , stabbing straight into her heart . Her eyes burned with unshed tears . She couldn't understand . The man who once ached when she had cramps , who clumsily brewed ginger tea for her , who ran out at midnight to buy heating pads- How could he , in the years that followed , become so cruel ? How could he watch her lie again and again on those icy operating tables , enduring pain that tore her apart , and feel nothing ? Clara closed her eyes . When she opened them again , the dampness was gone , replaced by a cold clarity . She drew in a deep breath and cut Mrs. Lane off . " Enough . It's all in the past . " Mrs. Lane gazed at her , heart aching , unable to accept that a couple once so in love could be ending like this . " Miss , could this be some kind of misunderstanding ? Shouldn't you ask him first , get the truth ? " Clara's lips curved in a bitter smile . If she hadn't lived this second life , perhaps she too would have believed it was just a terrible mistake . Perhaps she would have cried , begged Julian not to leave , convinced herself she simply wasn't enough . But now she knew better than anyone . This wasn't a misunderstanding . It was seven years of careful manipulation . A lie built on her youth , her health , her pain . Even if there had been some hidden " reason , " what of it ? The damage was done . The trust was shattered . 11:57 O My Husband Loft Moto Rue21 16 Chapter 13 The Gift , I Received It The moment those pills had slipped silently into her body , everything between them had ended . No explanation could ever erase the disgust . Her voice rasped but carried unshakable resolve . " Clear it all out . Every piece . Not one left . " Mrs. Lane looked at her determined face , opened her mouth , then swallowed her words . 17 ... Yes , Miss . " With a sigh , she began packing the jewels . Clara turned away , never sparing the treasures another glance , and stepped onto the terrace . The early summer breeze brushed her cheeks , cooling the turmoil in her chest . She leaned against the railing , staring at the neon city lights , feeling as though she had forgotten something important . Until her phone vibrated in her hand . When she saw the word " Husband " on the screen , her heart clenched . Damn it . The surprise gift she had planned for Julian's wedding day - she had forgotten to cancel it . Sure enough , as she answered , his deep voice came through the line . " The gift - I received it . " Clara's fingers tightened around the phone . It was the AI home assistant chip she had spent half a year designing , hidden inside a figurine of his favorite anime character , able to interact intelligently in simple ways . It was everything she had - her devotion , her love - wrapped into one one - of - a - kind gift for their wedding . In her past life , he had been overjoyed when he received it , twirling her in his arms again and again . But now ... ( 0 ) 1187