Betrayed by My Trash Husband, Surrender Myself to the Devil-Chapter 26: This Uncomfortable Feeling (I)

Ray POV

It was very unlike me to wake up late today. In fact, I usually woke up at least half an hour before my alarm to start my day at five in the gym on the first floor of this building.

But I couldn’t focus on my work last night and kept thinking about what Claudia said about me, so I finished my work at two in the morning instead of my scheduled eleven.

This made me groggy in the morning, and I had always hated the feeling of not being able to control myself and my surroundings.

I shook my head a few times as I walked to the bathroom and washed my face. Though, my eyes were a little red due to lack of sleep, other than that, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Today was another busy day, especially since I had to attend a meeting with a billionaire client, and then I had to go to the hospital to take care of Aurora’s ward, so that crazy bitch wouldn’t be able to touch her.

As I was busy spraying warm, spicy perfume on my neck and wrists, there was a knock on the door.

"G-good morning, Ray. I’ve prepared your breakfast. Y-you should eat now before it gets cold."

I had to admit that Claudia’s voice was very pleasant in the morning. She had the kind of voice that could give comfort, yet I felt none because I knew her tongue was as venomous as a rattlesnake.

She wouldn’t hesitate to insult me whenever she had the chance, and I was prepared to hear it. After all, things hadn’t changed even after a decade, and our mutual hatred was very much the only connection we had.

I opened the door and saw Claudia standing next to the dining table, wearing a stained light pink apron that fit her quite well.

As I drew nearer, I noticed that she was fidgeting nervously. Her long blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun; she must have spent the whole morning preparing breakfast.

I also noticed that her clear blue eyes were red, probably from lack of sleep combined with nonstop crying, since her under-eyes were puffy.

Seeing her like this gave me the information I needed: Clarissa must have done what I told her to do.

Claudia cleared her throat and spoke in a rather timid manner, far different from her courageous self last night.

"I made pumpkin soup. It’s good for your immune system since it’s getting cold," Claudia muttered. "Don’t worry, I made everything from scratch, since you’re into organic stuff..."

"Hm."

I sat down and ate the pumpkin soup she made without much reaction. So Claudia fidgeted even more nervously and asked, "How is it? Do you like it?"

...

I didn’t want to tell the truth—at least not completely—knowing how conceited this woman could be if I gave her a proper compliment. So I simply nodded and said, "Not bad."

Claudia let out a relieved sigh and tried to smile at me. However, as I stared back at her, that smile turned stiff, making it obvious that she was faking it.

"Speak before I leave," I commanded.

Claudia fiddled with her fingers as she muttered weakly, "It’s... it’s about my daughter."

"Aurora?"

"Yes." Claudia took a deep breath. She was trying to calm herself, but it was obvious that she became upset whenever she thought about her daughter. "Clarissa sent me a photo last night, and it’s... it’s a picture of Aurora on her bed."

"S-she taunted me, saying that she was bored and wondering if she could do something to my daughter," Claudia said. Her voice gradually grew shakier as she held back her tears. "I-I really need your help, Ray. Please save my daughter from her clutches. I-I am willing to follow whatever is in your pet contract. Just don’t let her hurt Aurora!"

"... She will be fine. The girls are still under police protection," I replied calmly.

But that reply seemed to snap something in her mind, because she suddenly burst into tears.

"No, you don’t understand how crazy Clarissa can be, Ray! Aurora is the only family I have in this world. I can’t let her get hurt!" Claudia begged earnestly. She couldn’t hold back her tears and sobs, in the end, her legs gave up on her and she slumped while sobbing. "I will stay in this apartment without stepping out as long as you save her! I promise! Please... please... I’m begging..."

I stood up and turned away from her, fixing my tie as I said, "Stop crying as if your life depends on it."

"Because my life really depends on it! I refuse to live without Aurora!"

"Fine. I’ll make sure Clarissa won’t be able to touch her. Stop crying. It’s a nuisance to hear in the morning," I said.

Though the wails finally stopped, the sobs continued.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance and raised my voice. "Can’t you hear me? Stop crying!"

"S-sorry..." Claudia sniffled, and the sobs gradually weakened. "Please help her. You are my only hope right now, Ray."

...

I left the penthouse without saying anything—not because I had nothing to say, but because I realized that Claudia’s tears and sobs were actually... disturbing.

Claudia had never shown that side of herself to me. She always looked defiant in front of me before. Even when she was in a pinch, she wouldn’t tighten her expression, making sure I couldn’t see even an ounce of vulnerability.

Maybe she already knew that I was a heartless monster, so she didn’t want to be exploited by the devil—though it didn’t matter in the end because I already had her dancing under my thumb.

But I didn’t expect her cries for help to be so uncomfortable to see that I wanted to turn away immediately, just to make sure I couldn’t see her tears.

As I entered the backseat of my car, Troy—my driver and bodyguard—asked,

"Mr. Gatlin, do you want to grab breakfast before going to the Gatlin office?"

"No need. I’ve had breakfast at home," I said nonchalantly.

There was a long silence as Troy drove the car out of the basement parking lot. But before he made a turn to the left, an urge rose within me and I said,

"Turn right. I want to go to Oak-Sinar Medical Center."