Chapter 300: Leave
“What?” Claire was standing in the shade, enjoying the gentle breeze, when she suddenly turned her head at Antony’s words.
“Don’t you like it here?” Antony asked again.
“I do. It’s really nice here.” Claire smiled, reaching out to touch the glossy green leaves in front of her. To be honest, she indeed loved this place. If she were still the pampered princess of the Prescott family, perhaps she’d be desperate to return home and wouldn’t be able to adjust to life here. But after four years in prison, all she wanted was to live. She just wanted to live like an ordinary person.
And now, during these days of recovery at the foot of the cliff, she’d finally achieved her deepest wish. In fact, she felt a freedom, ease, and comfort she’d never experienced before. She woke up each morning to birdsong, breathing in the fresh air and basking in nature’s gifts. Despite the lack of shopping malls, she found everything quite pleasant. Besides, material things like that had long since become meaningless to her. Most importantly, she found unprecedented peace here. No more facing Frederick’s pressure, Harrison’s torment, or Caroline’s scheming every day. These peaceful, carefree days were truly wonderful!
“So let’s stay here, stay here forever. Please don’t go back?” Antony spoke up eagerly, as if seeing great hope.
Claire gave a bitter smile. “Don’t you think I want to stay here too?”
Antony continued persuading her. “Then stay. Claire, I promise, I’m not asking you to stay to be with me. Yes, I have feelings for you, but I would never force you into anything. If you want to be with me, that would be wonderful, but if not, I can just stay by your side quietly like this. Just let me accompany you this way. Claire, these days have truly been the happiest, most fulfilling days of my life. You know what? I fell for you the moment I first saw you.”
“Before meeting you, I never believed in love at first sight or eternal love. But after meeting you, I realized both were real.”
“I never dared to dream of anything more. But later, seeing you suffer so much by Frederick’s side broke my heart. Claire, please stay! I can’t bear to watch you go back to that torment!” Antony was genuinely heartbroken, his eyes red with emotion.
“Antony, I don’t want to go back to that torment either. But we both know deep down that while we can stay here for a while, we can’t spend our whole lives here. You know what kind of man Frederick is. As a General and commander of the entire Kingstown headquarters, he’ll find us here sooner or later. What will happen to us then? Antony, you spent so many years studying hard to get where you are at the Hiokeeh Group. I really don’t want you to give up everything you’ve achieved because of me. Even if you’re willing to sacrifice everything, I can’t let your family suffer because of me. What do you think Frederick will do if he can’t find us? He can’t touch the Prescott family, so he’ll go after yours. If not for yourself, think about your family…” Claire spoke earnestly for a long time.
Antony stood there silently, taking in every word. At that moment, he felt such intense hatred! Hatred at his weakness! Hatred at his powerlessness! If only he could match Frederick’s influence and power!
After that day, both of their moods grew heavier, and they spoke less and less. Leon noticed something was off between them and called Claire outside. “What’s wrong? Everything seemed fine a few days ago. Did you two have a fight?”
“No, we just…” Claire furrowed her brow and was about to speak when she looked up and saw the drone overhead. Frederick had found them!
She gave a sad smile. “It’s nothing, Sir. My wounds have mostly healed. I won’t stay any longer. I’ll leave tomorrow.”