Divorce.
That was what Mrs. Diana wanted. She wouldn't let her daughter live in hell.
"A lifetime is too long! I won't let my child suffer until she dies. Sean never loved Clara, and that's a fact. He already has a lover who is now carrying your grandchild!" Mrs. Diana glared at Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Smith.
Rage burned in her chest. Every mother in the world would surely feel the same way upon finding her child lying helpless and near death at the hands of the man she married.
"Mrs. Diana, we can discuss this calmly once Clara is out of the hospital. Calm down." Mrs. Weasley tried to approach her daughter-in-law and gently patted the woman's shoulder.
However, Mrs. Diana quickly brushed away Mrs. Weasley's hand and touch.
"There's no need to try to placate me like this. My decision is final. I'm sure Clara would agree with this too!"
Mrs. Weasley looked disappointed, as did Mr. Smith. Their efforts to calm their daughter-in-law had been in vain.
"We'll go home first. Perhaps we should both calm down to think clearly." Mr. Smith spoke softly, looking down in embarrassment.
Mrs. Diana paid no attention. She simply turned away and looked out the window without looking at Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Smith.
*
*******
*
Night fell slowly.
The corridor lights glowed dimly, casting long shadows on the white walls. The atmosphere, which had been chaotic with reporters... began to subside after the hospital tightened security.
However, that calm was only a thin veneer. Beneath it, the conflict continued to simmer, waiting for the right moment to erupt.
Inside the hospital room, Clara was still awake. Her eyes fixed on the large window offering a distant view of the city. The lights of the buildings shimmered like fake stars. Her hand lay stiffly on the white blanket, still aching every time she took a deep breath.
Mrs. Diana sat in a chair near the bed. Her face looked tired, but her eyes remained alert. She hadn't slept a wink since her daughter was admitted to the hospital.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Diana asked softly.
Clara didn't answer right away. She took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
"Mom… the baby… is gone, isn't it?" she finally asked. "The doctor just explained it to me in detail."
Mrs. Diana tensed. Her hands clenched in her lap.
"Yes, dear," she answered honestly. "The doctor was waiting until you were well enough to explain everything."
Clara closed her eyes. There were no tears. No screams. It was just that her chest felt empty, as if a void had suddenly opened up and nothing could fill it.
"I didn't even know I was pregnant, Mom," she said softly. "Funny, isn't it?"
Mrs. Diana stood up. She sat on the edge of the bed, then carefully hugged her daughter.
"It's not your fault," she said firmly. "Whatever happens, it's not your fault."
Clara gave a faint smile, a smile that felt bitter.
"Then… whose fault is it, Mom?"
The question hung in the air. Mrs. Diana didn't answer right away. She knew that no answer would be enough.
*
*******
*
At home, Sean sat lost in thought in the living room. His mind wandered everywhere. His hands trembled as he stared at his phone screen. There were dozens of missed calls. Messages kept coming in—from the board of directors, business partners, and the company's lawyers. Everyone was demanding an explanation. Everyone was demanding certainty.
The news had already spread.
Sean Smith's name was trending, accompanied by terms like domestic violence, a battered wife, and a suspected miscarriage. Some media outlets had even dared to mention Moana's name, though it was still vague.
"Damn it!" Sean slammed his phone down hard.
For the first time, he felt completely at a loss as to what to do.
Mr. Smith stood not far from his son. He spoke briefly with the family lawyer. The old man's face looked stern, but lines of exhaustion were clearly visible.
"We have to act fast," the lawyer said softly. "If Clara files a report, this will become a criminal case. There's nothing we can cover up."
Mr. Smith nodded slowly.
"She won't report it," Sean interjected suddenly, his voice hoarse but confident.
All eyes turned to him.
"You're too confident," Mr. Smith replied coldly. "You're forgetting—Clara has a mother, too."
Sean fell silent.
Mrs. Weasley stepped closer, her voice softening—perhaps too softly for a situation this dire.
"We need to talk to Clara. We need to persuade her. Calm everyone down," she said. "Divorce isn't the solution. This can be resolved."
Mr. Smith turned sharply.
"How?" he asked coldly. "With money? With subtle threats?"
Mrs. Weasley fell silent.
"I've let you defend Sean for far too long," Mr. Smith continued, his voice low but full of pressure. "And look at the result."
Sean stood up suddenly.
"Dad! What do you want me to do?" he snapped, his voice strained. "I've already apologized to Clara!"
"You apologized after ruining someone else's life!" Mr. Smith retorted. "That's not remorse, Sean. That's fear."
Those words hit Sean harder than any slap.
*
*****
*
The next morning, Clara was finally moved to a quieter hospital room. Mrs. Diana stood by the bed as a nurse came in carrying some papers.
"Mrs. Clara, there are a few documents that need to be signed," the nurse said politely.
Clara nodded slowly, then picked up a pen with a trembling hand. As she skimmed the contents of the documents—about her medical condition, the miscarriage, and recommendations for trauma counseling—her eyes paused on one section.
"Physical abuse by a partner."
She fell silent for a long moment.
Mrs. Diana noticed the change in her daughter's expression.
"You don't have to sign them right now," her mother said gently. "We can wait."
Clara shook her head slowly.
"No, Mom. I'll sign it now," she said softly. "I'm tired of waiting."
She quickly signed the document. A simple gesture. But its meaning was profound.
*
******
*
That afternoon, a female attorney came to see Mrs. Diana.
"In the name of victim protection, we can file for divorce and seek legal protection at the same time," she explained calmly. "Including a restraining order."
Mrs. Diana turned to Clara. "Are you ready, Sweetheart?"
Clara nodded slowly. "I won't live with a monster."
The lawyer gave a faint smile. "Alright. The divorce proceedings will begin."
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Sean was eavesdropping on the conversation from outside Clara's door.
He clenched his fists tightly. His heart felt hot. He was furious.
"Damn it! So Clara's already set on getting a divorce. No! I'll never agree to divorce her!" His eyes narrowed.