When He Stopped Loving Me Chapter 3

Claire signed her name on the paper and called her lawyer.

"Draft divorce papers." Her voice was terrifyingly calm.

The lawyer nodded. "Understood, Mrs. Pierce. After filing, there's a mandatory thirty-day cooling-off period. If neither party objects after that, the court will finalize the divorce."

"I understand. As soon as possible."

After the lawyer left, Claire sat alone in the hospital room.

She closed her eyes. No tears came.

Her heart was empty. Even grief felt too exhausting.

Just then, the door opened softly.

Expecting the lawyer's return, Claire opened her eyes—only to see the last face she wanted to see: Rachel.

She hadn't expected Rachel to seek her out.

"What do you want?" Claire's voice was hoarse.

"Mrs. Pierce," Rachel maintained her gentle, timid demeanor, carrying a thermos. "I heard what Ethan did to you. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to stop him..."

Claire looked at her coldly, unwilling to hear these hypocritical words.

But Rachel continued unprompted, voice choking: "Still, you should understand him... when we lost our baby, Ethan was devastated. He held me and cried like a child, saying it was the crystallization of our love... He didn't eat or drink for days, just stayed by my hospital bed..."

Each word was a poisoned blade, methodically torturing Claire's already shredded heart.

"If you came just to say this," Claire interrupted, voice rough and icy, "you can leave. You're not welcome here."

Rachel seemed frightened, shrinking back before holding up the thermos. "I... I won't say more. Mrs. Pierce, I made you soup. It's restorative. After a miscarriage, your body needs nutrients to recover..."

"I'm not drinking it. Take it away." Claire turned her face away in disgust.

Rachel's timid expression vanished instantly, replaced by stubborn coldness. "Well... that's not really up to you."

She lunged forward, gripping Claire's jaw with surprising strength while forcing the thermos toward her mouth!

"Let go! Rachel! What are you doing?!" Claire struggled weakly, no match for her strength.

When Rachel finally released her, Claire collapsed over the bedside, coughing violently, stomach churning.

Rachel wiped her hands methodically, her face showing a tearful smile. "How was it? Delicious?"

Claire's head snapped up, terrible dread rising in her chest. "This isn't restorative soup... What the hell is in this?!"

Rachel's eyes reddened, tears falling on cue, but her gaze was cold as a viper's as she articulated clearly: "Can't you tell? Inside... are the blood and tissue... of your unformed child..."

BOOM—!!!

Claire's mind exploded like thunder, going completely blank!

Overwhelming nausea and horror crashed over her like a tsunami! She bent over the bed, frantically clawing at her throat with her fingers, retching violently, desperate to expel her very organs!

"Ugh... hnngh..."

Rachel stood there crying, savoring her anguish. "Does it hurt? When I miscarried, I hurt just as much... maybe more! If you hadn't forced me to leave, how would I have had that accident? How would I have lost my baby? Ethan doesn't love you anymore—what right do you have to act like the wronged wife and drive me away?"

She leaned closer, eyes venomous. "So you see, everyone gets what they deserve! Your child is your karmic punishment! Punishment for killing mine!"

"AHHH—!!!"

Claire couldn't take anymore. All the suppressed rage, humiliation, and grief exploded in that moment!

She used every ounce of strength to slap Rachel across the face!

Just then, the door burst open!