Don’t Fall for the Billionaire Lover

Meanwhile, over at St. Mary's Hospital, Claire was losing her mind.

"Let me out! Let me out!" she yelled, pounding on the iron door with anything she could get her hands on. Silence was her only answer. She had no clue how long she'd been stuck in this room. No phone, no contact with the outside world. Meals were slid through a small window three times a day, and the rest of the time, the quiet was unnervingly loud. It felt like she was in jail. She marked each sunrise and sunset, trying to keep track of the days.

Today was Connor's wedding day. In a fit of frustration, she'd shredded every book in the room. Connor, once I'm free, I'll destroy you, she vowed silently.

Suddenly, a tapping came from the window. But breakfast had just been delivered, so who could it be? Claire glanced over and saw Pax. She was momentarily stunned, then hurried over to the window.

"Pax, open the door for me!" she pleaded.

Pax only cracked open the glass window, the iron bars still firmly in place. "Mom, I brought you some things,” he said, passing a small bag through the gap. Inside were snacks like dried fruit and chocolates-her old favorites. There were even a few small toys to pass the time.

Seeing them, Claire couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. She stomped on the snacks, crushing them underfoot. "Do you think I'm actually in prison? Why are you bringing me these?" she demanded.

"Mom, I just thought you might get bored. But if you don't want them, I can stay and keep you company," Pax offered.

Claire wasn't having any of it. "Pax, open the door and let me out now."

"I'm sorry, Mom, I can't do that."

"Are you really my son, Pax?" she asked incredulously.

Pax looked exhausted. "If I let you out, you'll just crash Uncle's wedding. Mom, please, just hang in there for a few more days. Unele said after the wedding, he'd help you retire in Switzerland."noveldrama

Claire let out a cold laugh. "You're my son, and you're siding with Connor? I gave

birth to you! How could you and Connor lock me up like this?"

Pax's face remained calm, though his eyes showed deep fatigue. "Because I'm your son, I can't let you ruin yourself. Mom, you've done enough damage; why can't you stop?" en

He looked at Claire with

helplessness. I don't understand why you hate Uncle so much, why you keep trying to hurt him. He's our family. He's never wronged you, so why the cruelty? We should

Bel

loving each other, not tearing each other apart."

Pax had his own misgivings about Connor putting Claire in a mental institution. But remembering all she'd done made him shiver.

"Family?" Claire laughed bitterly. "He's my enemy! I've wished him dead for years. Only his suffering eases my heart."

Pax's eyes filled with disappointment and sadness. He shook his head, "You really are mad."

Claire snapped back, "Pax, if you still see me as your mother, open the door and let me out."