Not My Husband Anymore novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

288 Vouchers

Damian frowned. “She didn’t sleep?”

“No, sir. Every time Miss Barrette has an allergic reaction, she stays by her side. Last night, Miss Barrette was crying and wouldn’t take her medicine. We couldn’t calm her down, so we called Mrs. Barrette.

“She got her to take it, then held her for hours until she finally fell asleep.

“She even stayed up to make sure she didn’t scratch the rash and leave scars.

“Around dawn, Miss Barrette threw up all over her.

“If I may… she really cares about Miss Barrette. Maybe it’s time to let it go and ask her to come back.”

Damian’s frown deepened.

“Darla threw up on her? That’s why she dressed like that?”

The servant nodded.

“Yes. Miss Barrette only wants her when she’s sick. She clings to her and won’t let go. And she woke up a lot last night. Mrs. Barrette held her almost all night.

“I thought Mrs. Barrette would rest once you got home!”

Only then did Damian realize how badly he’d misread everything. And he said those hurtful things. No wonder Clau- dine lost it.

Then he waved the servant off.

Darlene had stopped crying.

She knew Claudine had done a lot for her, but her words from earlier still hurt.

Darlene didn’t understand that sometimes grown–ups said things they didn’t mean.

She clenched her hands, not sure what to do.

Damian looked down at her. “Is your rash still itchy?”

Darlene shook her head.

She stayed curled up in his arms, thinking about how she’d pushed Claudine away.

She hadn’t even let her come in to get changed.

“Daddy, I did something bad.”

0.0 %

03:52

Chapter 23

“You wanna tell me?” Damian said softly.

She fidgeted with her fingers, voice barely a whisper. “I made Claudine leave.”

Thinking about how she’d treated Claudine just now, she felt like a bad kid.

She didn’t want to be one or to lose Claudine.

The truth was that she had missed Claudine over the past few days.

Damian kissed her gently on the cheek.

“Hey, this wasn’t all on you, you know? I said some dumb stuff, too.

“When she comes back, we’ll both apologize, okay?”

Darlene sniffled and nodded. Not long after, she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Claudine drove back to Willow Creek Villas.

Thankfully, no one else was in the parking garage. If anyone saw her like this, it’d be mortifying.

She hurried toward the elevator, hoping it was empty.

But when the doors opened, Audrey was already inside.

“Ms. Hogan? You’re barely dressed. Come on, get in.”

Audrey took off her jacket and draped it over Claudine’s shoulders.

“Thanks,” Claudine murmured.

She glanced at Audrey’s outfit. “Out for a jog, Ms. Lavigne?”

Audrey smiled. “Yeah.”

She gave Claudine one more look but didn’t say anything else.

Claudine knew she looked miserable.

If Audrey asked, she wouldn’t even know where to start.

She couldn’t tell her how Damian and his daughter had treated her.

Thankfully, Audrey stayed quiet until the elevator reached the first floor.

Claudine started to hand back the jacket, but Audrey stopped her.

“Keep it. You look cold. Get some rest when you get home, okay?

288 Vouchers

“And if you’re free tonight, swing by my place. I’ve got a few pieces I’d love to show you. My husband’s been collect- ing them for years. You’ve got such a good eye for sculpture. I think you’ll like them.

29.7 %

03:52

Chapter 23

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep Axel in the cage so he doesn’t freak you out.”

She was so kind that Claudine couldn’t say no.

Besides, someone else might step into the elevator any second, and the jacket felt necessary.

“Thank you, Ms. Lavigne.”

“You’re welcome,” Audrey said, stepping out.

As the doors closed again, Claudine caught her reflection in the mirror and felt drained.

Back home, she took her medicine, went to the bathroom, took off her dress, and tossed it in the trash.

Damian left for work early.

Lindsay was reviewing his schedule in the office.

Ever since she’d seen Claudine at the auction, she’d stopped fantasizing about Damian.

Claudine was remarkable, but even she couldn’t win his heart. Lindsay knew she didn’t stand a chance.

So she focused on doing her job well.

“Mr. Barrette, Mr. Sandoval can’t make tonight’s dinner. He’ll pick another day.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify