Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 1014

Claire took a deep breath, as if summoning every ounce of her strength to force the next words out. "But we... we're different."

Because they had loved.

Because they had cared.

And that was exactly why they could never just settle.

If she had never loved Felix, she wouldn't have cared whether he had other women on the side.

She wouldn't have given a damn about the blatant favoritism he showed Madeline Lynwood.

She could have happily lived the glamorous life of a billionaire's wife, spending his money while he stayed away from home.

But all of that hinged on one impossible condition: that she didn't love him.

So how could they ever be like those other couples?

The night wind picked up, whipping a few loose strands of hair across her face.

Claire raised a hand to tuck the hair behind her ear, her gaze returning to that cool, unwavering detachment.

"Only by leaving you can I finally be free."

Without another word, Claire turned and walked away, never once looking back.

Felix remained rooted to the spot, staring silently at the empty space she left behind.

Every memory, every moment of warmth and joy he had ever experienced with Claire, crashed over him all at once...

He instinctively reached out his hand, his fingers grasping empty air as if trying to pull her back, but all he caught was the biting wind.

Eventually, his arm dropped to his side in defeat. He bowed his head, pressing his hand against his agonizingly tight chest, his eyes burning red.

The proud, unbending posture he had carried his whole life finally shattered.

He finally understood that some things, once broken, could never be put back together.

Snow began to fall silently from the dark sky.

When the housekeeper stepped out to close the door, she spotted Felix standing like a statue in the courtyard, snow gathering on his broad shoulders. She panicked and hurried out with an umbrella.

"Why are you standing out in the snow? You'll catch your death!"

Once it was just the two of them, she squeezed Claire's hand with whatever strength she had left.

"Sweetheart, don't be sad when I'm gone. Promise me you'll find happiness every single day."

"I will..." Claire wept uncontrollably.

"And don't hate that stubborn boy. He can be awful, but... he's also pitiable."

Old Mrs. Quigley sighed, staring up at the blurry ceiling. "Before he married you, there was a girl he loved very much."

"And no, it wasn't Madeline Lynwood. That girl isn't worthy!"

She made sure to emphasize that point.

Claire's eyes were red and swollen. She wanted to tell her grandmother to rest, to save her strength.

She didn't want to hear any of this.

But Old Mrs. Quigley was determined to clear the air.

"According to my late husband, they met in college. She was his first love. His old flame."