Chapter Four: Clara's Pov

I was stunned as I watched Thorne's departing figure.

Suddenly, I remembered what Freya had said to me this afternoon—perhaps Thorne's feelings toward me were also different.

At this thought, my eyes flickered, and I turned to look at Caroline. "Mother, when the Thorne family was selecting a marriage partner for Thorne, was it he... who chose me?"

Caroline's gaze instantly became sharp.

"I advise you not to overthink it. You should know that under those circumstances, whoever it was made no difference to Thorne. Thorne was so angry just now only because his possessiveness was at play—it has nothing to do with you. Otherwise, he wouldn't have run off to New York to find Elena shortly after your wedding."

Elena...

In the three years I've been married to Thorne, I've heard that name countless times.

Elena and Thorne had known each other since childhood. She was Thorne's first love. The two of them had a quarrel over some trivial matter back then, and Elena went to New York in a fit of anger. That period happened to coincide with internal struggles within the Thorne family, and Thorne had to get married quickly, which gave other people their chance.

Caroline was right. Since the marriage partner wasn't Elena, then whoever it was would be the same in Thorne's heart.

If he had even the slightest bit of special feeling for me, he wouldn't have run off to New York two months after our wedding, making me a laughingstock.

If I still had any expectations of Thorne.

It was probably because he was once the only light in my dark years, but this light ended up dragging me into an even deeper abyss.

As for what Freya said, perhaps Thorne just pointed randomly and this marriage fell into my lap.

I laughed bitterly, not knowing whether I was lucky or unlucky.

Seeing me distracted, Caroline angrily slammed her coffee cup heavily on the coffee table. The coffee immediately spilled out, quickly spreading in mottled stains across the lace tablecloth.

"Clara, you're a smart person. Don't foolishly covet things that don't belong to you. I hope you can honor the agreement and divorce Thorne as soon as possible."

I looked at the coffee stains on the coffee table and weakly pulled at the corner of my mouth.

"Mother, you should know that in this marriage between Thorne and me, the initiative has never been in my hands."

My gaze shifted toward the door. Caroline frowned. "But..."

"But Mother, I will try my best. I will take the initiative to talk to Thorne about divorce."

Hearing me say this, Caroline seemed to suddenly breathe a sigh of relief, and her tone became gentler. "Clara, separating from Thorne is the most correct decision you've ever made. But rest assured, in addition to what's stated in the contract, I will give you an extra million dollars and a house anywhere except Manhattan."

I smiled. "Thank you, Mother. You've always been generous."

Caroline heard the sarcasm in my words, and her expression, which had just softened, instantly darkened again. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing much. When you arranged for me to marry Thorne back then, didn't Mother also offer my father good terms, which made him happily send me to the Thorne family?"

"Then you should know that if I hadn't agreed to let you marry Thorne back then, do you think you could have had so many years of peaceful life?"

The corners of my lips pressed into a straight line.

Back then, my father's company had experienced internal strife. My father was anxious about it every day. Finally, he decided to marry me off to an Italian arms dealer.

This way, he could not only gain a considerable fortune but also take a dominant position in the company's internal struggle.

But as far as I knew, that arms dealer had already lost four wives in three years.

I had argued with my father at the time, but in the end, he threatened me with my mother's safety, and I could only nod and agree to his plan.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Caroline proposed that I marry Thorne. The benefits it would bring to my father far exceeded what the Italian arms dealer could offer him, so he couldn't wait to send me to Thorne's bed overnight.

"I understand, Mother. I was rude."

Caroline raised her hand and rubbed her forehead. "Forget it. The Thorne family banquet is coming up soon. I've been having headaches lately. I'll leave the task of drafting the banquet guest list to you."

"The banquet guest list?"

"Mother, I think this matter is somewhat difficult for me. After all..."

"Clara, you should know that although your contract period with Thorne has expired, you haven't divorced yet. In outsiders' eyes, you're still Thorne's wife. I hope you can do what's expected of you."

"But Mother, I've never done anything like this before. I'm afraid I'll mess it up."

"It's precisely because you haven't done it that I'm having you do it. Everything has a first time."

"But..."

"Enough, stop talking. That's settled then. I'm a bit tired and will go upstairs to sleep for a while. You should go back early too."

My fingers gradually curled, digging hard into my palm.

Just as I was about to leave, a servant came down from upstairs, her eyes carrying a trace of disdain.

"Young Madam, the Madam asked me to remind you not to forget to talk to Young Master Thorne about the divorce as soon as possible. Also, the Thorne family banquet is a major event—she wants you to be extremely careful."

When I left the old mansion, my steps felt heavy.

The Thorne family's century-old foundation was extremely complex internally. The entanglement of interests and interpersonal conflicts had long been beyond what could be seen on the surface.

Caroline's intention in deliberately assigning this tricky task to me couldn't be more obvious.

Except for Caroline, no one knew that Thorne and I had a contract marriage. The Thorne family had always valued appearances. Announcing my divorce from Thorne without reason would only invite more gossip.

So she deliberately gave me this task to make me make mistakes. This way, she would have a good reason to reproach me for not being worthy of being Thorne's wife.

Then my separation from Thorne would seem even more natural.

No one would suspect that our marriage relationship had only been a cold contract. The Thorne family wouldn't lose face because of it. Everyone would think I didn't know the rules and was reckless and useless.

I had just left the old mansion when it started raining outside. Thinking of the servant's cold stare just now, I decisively gave up on the idea of going back to the old mansion to get an umbrella.

If I walked for about twenty minutes, I should be able to hail a cab.

But I had only walked a few steps when I noticed a black Maybach parked not far ahead.

It was Thorne.

But hadn't Thorne already left just now? Why was his car still parked at the entrance of the old mansion?

Was he waiting for me?