Clara was stunned.
It was Horace?
Horace and Sean were brothers, why would Horace do this? For money? But it would hurt Kirkland Group's reputation which was nothing good to him.
"I see, thank you. Well, I gotta go. Catch up with you later." Hearing Andre's words, Clara knew the whole thing in general and hung up the phone.
A couple of days ago, Clara threatened Sean to tell Horace that she was not actually raped at that time. Now it seemed that Horace knew the truth and that she was pregnant with his baby.
Then was it revenge he took for her and the baby?
Thinking about this, the grudge Clara held against Horace was getting less. He wasn't that bad, after all, she truly loved him before.
Now that Sean had been arrested and what he had done had gone public, Clara felt the relief of revenge. But she felt sorry for Darren after this.
Darren was nothing like Sean. Darren was nice to Clara and he even told her about the scheme of Sean and Laura in case Horace misunderstood her.
And now that he had become a prisoner's son from a well-raised rich kid, which must be a lot to take in.
Clara grabbed her phone and called Darren out of guilt and asked him out.
"Let's meet at the college, I want to visit there with you." Hearing Darren's upset voice, Clara said "yes" after thinking for a moment.
Clara saw Darren waiting at the gate when she arrived at the college, which brought her back to college time.
As before, she would see him waiting at the gate every time she returned to school. And he would come to her and take her luggage in her hand when he saw her.
But today he didn't see her coming with his head lowered, looking preoccupied and unusually tired. It must be about Sean.
Clara slowly walked toward Darren in sympathy like her youth had just gone by.
"When did you come? How long have you been waiting?" Clara asked gently.
Hearing Clara's voice, Darren raised his head and found that she had arrived.
"You came." Darren stood up straight and tried to force a smile, "I just got here, not long."
"Well." Clara nodded a little and didn't know what to say.
"How about having a walk? It's been so long." Darren said.
"Sure."
Walking on this familiar road, Clara had mixed feelings.
"C, about my father... did you tell Horace to do that?" Darren eventually asked after hesitation.
Darren paused at this. After all, Sean was the one who gave him life, how could he handle all that?
"I know, he must have done something terrible to you. I apologize for him. I know you might not forgive him but I need to say sorry for him." Darren said with guilt sincerely.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, for those terrible things, I'm so sorry."
Clara's eyes were moist and she said in a choked voice, "Darren, I don't want to lie to you. I can't forgive him for what he has done and I won't forgive him for the rest of my life. So, sorry, I can't accept your apology."
Sean must have done things incredibly terrible to her. Darren felt sorry for her, for this girl who he liked at heart.
He wished he could sacrifice everything in exchange for her safe and sound life. But what had his father done which Darren wasn't aware of to make her hate that much?
He knew her well that she was the kindest and most tolerant girl he had ever seen. So what happened to her that she wouldn't forgive Sean for the rest of her life?
Darren felt so painful and he held Clara in his arms like there was no one else.
"Sorry. I'm so sorry, for me, not him. Sorry that I didn't protect you well enough and sorry I let you hurt by my father."
"It was not your fault, silly." Clara hugged him gently and didn't push him away. She knew it was the only comfort she could give him.
After regaining his composure while holding Clara, Darren stood up and said softly, "C, I'm here today to say goodbye."
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