11. Claire

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Claire

I've slept through the night for the last two weeks. I'm sure it has something to do with the pain medication and the massages Drew has been giving me.

Drew called his mother the day after we got home and told her we would not be coming to her house for dinner that evening. Like I told him she would, she was not happy. He was in the kitchen making breakfast with his phone on speaker, forgetting he had the home intercom on so he could hear me if I needed him—which meant I could hear him too.

"Oh, for God's sake, Andrew, she didn't die. Surely you can give her pain medication and let her sleep while you come for dinner and see your mother. Rebecca said there was something you both needed to announce. How will she do it alone if you aren't there?"

I held my breath, desperate to hear what Drew would say. Typically, this is when he caves and agrees to go for a short while, then ends up being gone for the rest of the night.

"I won't be coming, Mom. I'm staying home with my wife, who just had a really bad accident and can barely get around on her own. I don't see why that doesn't make sense to you. I also have nothing to announce with Becca, so I'm sure this is something her mouth is capable of saying on her own."

WHOA.

Okay, I was not expecting Drew to say that. He has never spoken to his mother like this—but I'll say it: it's doing something for me. I think I'm getting turned on? What the fuck? Am I broken? That has to be it, because I haven't been turned on by anything for the last few months.

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Anytime Drew has tried to touch me, it's just made me feel sick. The few times we did have sex, I literally made random noises to get through it—a lot of:

"Oh yea, right there. Ooooooh yea. Oh my gosh, you're so big. Oh wow, I'm coming."

The end.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that, Andrew St. Claire. That freeloader is not your wife, and if I have my way, she never will be. Enjoy this little stint while you can, because mark my words—she will not be your happily ever after."

I sucked in a breath.

Did she just threaten me?

"Did you just threaten her, Mother? Because it sounded like you did—and hear me when I say this: I will walk away from you and everything else before I leave Claire. Do you understand me? Threaten her again, and it's over. I will no longer be your son."

"Oh please, Andrew. I own shares in the company. I'm on the board. You will see me, and I will be in your life till the day I die. If I have to call board meetings every day of the week just to see your face, then I will. I was here before that Claire girl, and I will be here long after."

I think I've heard enough.

Right as I'm about to hang up, I hear Andrew speak. His voice is firm, dark, and lethal:

"I own majority shares, Mother. I can have you bought out before the week is out. Try me. I will leave you destitute and homeless within the month. Is that what you want, Mother? I am sick and tired of hearing you run your mouth about my wife, Claire—because like it or not, Mother, she will be my wife. Be it now or a year from now, she is and will be mine. Now, you can either get on board, or be left behind. Which will it be?"

Holy shit.

Did that just happen?

Wait... a year from now?

If he thinks I'll be around after he marries Becca, then he has another thing coming, because fuck that and fuck him.

Drew hangs up on his mother, and I can hear him coming up to our room.

"Oh, you're awake. I made you breakfast—figured you'd be hungry."

He leans in to kiss me, but I turn my face away.

"Drew, I will not wait a year for you—for you and Becca to be together. I won't do it. Tell me right now—is that your plan? Because I'll pack up and leave right now."

I begin to shuffle out of bed. My pain is still bad, but I'll be damned if I let this family treat me like this any longer.

Drew quickly places the food on top of the dresser and rushes to me. He kneels in front of me and grabs my hands, taking care not to pull on my broken arm.

"Marry me, Claire. Marry me today or tomorrow. I don't want to wait to be your husband another minute."