Regretting Divorce

49 

Anyways, she pulled his laptop closer to look at the projects he left for her to study. 

Claire was deeply engrossed when her phone lit up with someone’s call. She didn’t let her eyes avert as she accepted the call and drew the phone closer to her ear. 

“Hello?” 

She was captivated by the project flashing on the laptop which is why she didn’t register that a minute had passed and still the one on the other end of the phone call had not uttered a word. 

It was the whispering coming from the other side that tottered her focus. She tore her gaze away from the laptop screen to take a glance at her phone. 

“Hello?” She spoke again as it was an unknown number. 

“Hello, who’s this?” 

When no answer came, she decided to disconnect the call and focus back on the project. 

‘Claire‘ 

Just as she pulled the phone away from her ear, she heard a fading out voice calling her name. 

She put the phone back to her ear and this time she was able to listen to the voice clearly and recognise it too. 

“You don’t recognize my number? It’s strange. 

Her heart twisted in her chest. Her stomach trembled while her fingers began to twitch as an overwhelming feeling consumed her. 

Claire blinked her eyes rapidly, hoping that this was a dream. It wasn’t when she heard him again. 

“I contemplated my number as one of those you would know by heart.” 

She was compelled to check her phone. Her breaths became heavy because it was his number indeed… Which she knew by heart. After her father’s, his number was the first that she by hearted in case she needed to dial it in an emergency. 

Claire gulped a deep breath. She instructed herself to focus. She told herself not to be staggered by his voice as she tried to muster her teetering strength to speak. 

“Where did you get my number from?” She asked as there were not many who had her new number. 

Besides her family and Penelope, Tyler had it. 

“You do know your ex–husband is a master of creating resources and opportunities? 

Claire’s focus began to shake again at the sound of his smug voice. This voice was once the best sound in the world. 

“Enjoy your resources and opportunities. Don’t call me back again.” 

She was about to hang up on him when she heard, “What are you doing in Raven Moore with Tyler?” 

“What I do with who and where is none of your concer.” 

ווד 

O 

“It is my concern, Claire MacIntyre, because you are….” He seared and faded out making her eyes widen. 

“Because you are my ex–wife 

Claire held the edge of the desk as she responded in a hostile tone. “Indeed I’m your ex–wife which means I’m no longer a MacIntyre. You better not associate with me that surname. I hate it and the person that I got it from.” 

“You do realize you are talking to that person, right?” 

“I do and I know that you are a cruel jerk. I hate you. Don’t call me again, Hunter.” 

“I’m afraid you called that upon yourself when you flew to Raven Moore to my enemy 

“What are you saying?” Claire hissed. 

She heard him sigh, “You can avenge me in other ways, Claire. Come back to Bloomcrest first. You are not safe there.” 

“Look, he’s not a good company for you. You are my ex–wife and as my enemy Tyler has many reasons to hurt you. So please don’t be a fool and come back to Bloomcrest. Raven Moore is his country. If he does something to you then I will be able to save you in time.” 

not 

“He can look like the best way to get back at me but he is not. You don’t know about him, Claire. There is more to his good- looking face which is hard to recognize. So come back 

Even though she was amazed because he said the exact same words Tyler said about himsel, what boiled her blood was his commanding tone. 

“You are crazy, Hunter MacIntyre.” Claire chuckled furiously. “And if you think I’m still that old Claire who could be ordered around then you are wrong. Shove your orders up your asshole. That’s where they belong.” 

“Claire,” He sternly called her name to warn her. 

But as she said, she was not the old Claire. So she was not afraid of him. 

“Keep that warning tone to yourself, Mr. Macintyre. Your employees will be terrified of it, not me. And who told you I came to RavenMoore to avenge you? You are not that important to me. You died for me the moment you married that whore.” 

Claire’s words were simmering lava as she added, “You are not worthy of being called my ex–husband either.” 

Hunter was silent for a second which quickened her heart beats 

But when he spoke, she felt like stabbing him in the heart. 

“One of my trusted men is in RavenMoore. I will ask him to bring you back to Bloomcrest. 

She banged her hand on the desk and screamed, “Who do you think you are ordering around? Didn’t you hear me earlier, Hunter Macintyre? I will not fucking take orders from you. Go to your slut if you are so desperate to make things work according to your will.” 

“Don’t drag Zara into this.” He seethed, which did not surprise her. It rather pinched her heart. 

“And listen to me carefully, Claire! If you don’t leave RavenMoore by tonight with my man then I myself will come to do the deed. 

“You’ll How dare you 

You can hurt me differently. You don’t need yourself in the way of danger to avenge me.” 

to 

Tears stung her eyes. Claire growled on the phone, wanting Hunter to know that if he were here in front of her, he would 

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have been a melted mess–in the heat of her temper. 

“Don’t think so highly of yourself, Hunter MacIntyre. I won’t waste my time finding ways to punish you. The almighty god will do it for me. I have left my case at rest in front of him. If anyone will make you pay for my pain, it’s Christ.” 

“The last time we met you threatened me. If you’re not meeting my rival to hurt me then what are you doing?” 

She registered jealousy and anger in his voice. Her face was alight with mischief. 

That’s true that she dropped her determination to seek revenge on him. But who said that she couldn’t make him burn in jealousy? 

“I’m fucking him. Do you hear me? I’m fucking your biggest rival to get over my divorce. Everyone does something to get over their ugly past. So did you, didn’t you? You jumped into bed with that vixen on the first opportunity you got. I will not be surprised if she’s sucking your dick now as well!” 

“Claire, you better not-” 

“Enjoy your life with your whore and don’t bother me again, Hunter Macintyre. I’m happy with Tyler. And rest assured it has nothing to do with you. You are not worthy of my attention any more. You keep your slut and I’ll keep my Tyler with me.” With that she hung up on him and switched her phone off. 

Five minutes later Claire was still shaking awfully. She filled herself a glass of water and gulped it desperately. 

The last few words caused her discomfort 

Til keep my Tyler with me. 

Trembles coursed through her. But when she said it, it couldn’t sound any better. She hoped it hit Hunter where it hurt the 

most 

Tears trailed out of her eyes. Hunter’s voice was still echoing in her ears. The satisfaction she received from lying to him- [ Which was akin to throwing chili powder in his eyes- made her insides calm down. 

Two hours later Tyler came to his cabin. He observed her red cheeks and swollen eyes. She tried to hide it behind a smile. 

“Enough work done today. Let’s take you back home. Grandma and my mom have planned a barbecue tonight” 

“Yes, sure.” 

They both left his cabin. Down in the lobby, Claire faced the same overwhelming situation. Eyes still followed her and Tyler. Though she tried her best not to waver, inside the car she closed her eyes and sighed loudly. 

“I know you told me to block them out. But the way they look at me it feels like they are accusing me of a crime.” Claire said while Tyler ignited the engine. 

When they were on the street with other vehicles he withdrew his phone from his coat pocket and handed it to her while saying. 

This article will answer your 

doubts.” 

“Which article?” Claire lifted a single eyebrow as she took his phone. 

Her eyes sprung wide as she lifted a hand to cover her mouth. She read the full article and closed her eyes with a conflicting 

heave. 

“Now I know why Hunter called me.” Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“Hunter called you!” Tyler stared at her with an amused gaze. 

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“After you left.” 

‘So that’s why she cried. I thought it’s my employees‘ stares. He used. 

“I hope he didn’t bully you.” Tyler sounded concerned. 

“He was asking me to come back to Bloomcrest.” She faced Tyler, “He said that you are not safe for me. That you might hurt me because of your rivalry with him.” 

She looked out of the window, “He’s such a bastard! Can you believe it? After hurting me in the worst way possible, he had the audacity to accuse you of being dangerous to me. He’s such a jerk. Hunter will never change. He only knows to blame others for the crime he commits daily and remorselessly 

Tyler’s face was a mask of darkness, his eyes cold and lips tense. It seemed he was holding back a storm of feelings behind. his dark stare and tight lips. Anyone catching a glimpse of him would instinctively give him space. But Claire was not looking his way, hence she was not aware of his facial reaction. 

“He calls everyone else a monster. Someone should tell him to look in the mirror first.” She rambled on till they returned back to Old Murphy Mansion. 

When Tyler pulled the car 

her brows tilted. 

“You’ve been quiet throughout the journey, Tyler. Did I say something that was annoying?” 

He shook his head as a smile forced itself on his lips. 

It’s your ex–husband who’s annoying” He unclasped the seatbelt to turn to her. “He hates me more than I hate him.” 

Tyler, I.” Claire regretted sharing the bits of her conversation with Hunter. 

Any 

yman in Tyler’s place, whose honest intention is to help her recover from mental damage, will feel bad if those words are said for him. 

She hung her arm outside the window to let the air fan her heated palm as she put the other one reluctantly on Tyler’s. His eyes shot up to her face before stopping on her hand covering his. 

When he looked up, his gaze suggested he didn’t need her comfort 

“No matter what Hunter or anyone else says about you, you will be my friend. I will never judge or doubt your intentions. I know you have no reason to.” His lips curved faintly as he flipped his hand that was covered by Claire’s. 

He closed his fingers around her, making her eyes enlarge. This was not intimate. To some extent though it was too soon her to welcome physical comfort from him. 

But she composed herself as she was the one who started it first 

“Let’s go back inside. W–we don’t want to miss the barbecue, do we? Claire pulled her hand back and made an excuse. 

for 

She came inside the mansion to find Tia Murphy’s, who was sitting on the couch with a slump, back straightening and lips pressing together at her appearance. It was as if she was waiting for an unwanted guest. 

“H–hello, Mrs. Murphy.” Claire’s shoulders tensed, feeling the other woman’s eyes become hard on her face. 

“Tll just go back to my room.” 

She contemplated it was better to escape to her room. She had enough stress for the day, and didn’t have to take someone else’s cause of frustration poured on her However, as she took a step ahead. Tia blocked her way. 

“Where are you going? I was waiting here for you.” 

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