Vanessa’s face hardened.She slammed her wineglass down,snatched up a vase from near the entryway,and hurled it at Clara.The vase shattered at her feet,shards and cold water splashing up her legs.
“What are you acting out for?”Vanessa stood,hands on hips,jabbing a finger at Clara’s face with a shrill voice.“Who told you to come back?You annoy me just by existing.”
Then she spun back into Adrian’s arms,clutching his arm like a spoiled child.Her voice turned plaintive.
“Adrian,why did you let her come back?Didn’t you say this was going to be our home from now on?I don’t like her.I don’t want to live under the same roof.”
Her tone rose,louder,as if to make a point:
“I’m with you because I love you.I don’t care that you had a wife,but I won’t be some hidden mistress.I want you completely.With her here,what does that make me?If people find out,won’t they say I’m just your kept woman?I’m an independent person.I’m not anyone’s accessory!”
This absurd speech—spoken by the woman who had broken another’s marriage yet cast herself as the victim—fell on Adrian’s ears like some grand declaration.His eyes gleamed with deeper pleasure and approval,clearly delighted by Vanessa’s“independence”and“boldness.”
He nodded again and again,coaxing her:
“Alright,alright,Vanessa’s right.This is my fault.I shouldn’t have let her offend your eyes.”
Without so much as glancing at Clara,he picked up the phone.
“Security,come in.Please‘escort’Mrs.Cole out.”
Clara stared at him in disbelief,as though seeing the man for the first time.For this new lover,he not only allowed her to torment the pet Clara loved like family—he now meant to drive out his lawful wife.
Two security guards entered quickly,expressionless,moving toward Clara.
“Wait—”Clara struggled,her eyes locked on Snowball,still crying out in terror above.“My cat.Give Snowball back to me!”
“Cat?”Vanessa’s eyes glinted with malice.She cut in first,smiling slyly.
“That cat was bought by Adrian.All its food and care came from his money.So of course it’s his.Why should we give it to you?”
Vanessa’s gaze swept over Clara,lingering on her dress and the bag in her hand.Her smile grew smug.
“Oh,that dress—you’re wearing Chanel’s latest season,aren’t you?Bought with Adrian’s money,right?And that bag—Hermès?His money too.Take them off!Do you not understand what‘walk away with nothing’means?None of this belongs to you!”
Clara’s body went cold.