Claudia looked at York with hostility.
Her face was pale, her voice weak and faint. "York, you're despicable!"
York's expression was placid. "Your mother is in the hospital. I'll take you there."
Hearing that her mother was sick, Claudia's already pale face turned even paler.
She pushed York away and ran to the side of the road to hail a cab.
York turned and watched as Claudia frantically flagged down a taxi and left. He didn't stop her, nor did he follow.
By the time Claudia reached the hospital room, the relatives who had come to visit were just leaving.
"Mom."
Claudia knelt by the bed, feeling both wronged and worried.
Jessica sat on the bed, holding Claudia's cold hand, her own eyes filling with tears of heartache.
Jessica kept murmuring, "It's good that you're out, it's good."
Claudia comforted her parents, "Dad, Mom, don't worry. I'm innocent. I'll find a lawyer and fight this to the end."
Felix and Jessica exchanged a look.
Jessica advised worriedly, "Claudia, we know you feel wronged. We can't help you, but you don't need to worry about us. Just think everything through before you decide. Don't act impulsively."
Claudia's eyes held a desperate resolve. "Dad, Mom, don't worry about me. I know what to do."
If the price of divorcing York was prison, she would accept it.
As parents, Felix and Jessica understood their daughter's determination. But as parents, they couldn't bear to see their daughter actually sent to prison.
They were tormented, yet powerless.
But she had no other choice.
Jolie continued, "Claudia, you have parents, a brother, friends, a career, and a bright future. It's not worth throwing away the best years of your life in prison for one man."
After parting with Jolie, Claudia wandered the streets alone for a long time.
Everything Jolie said was reasonable, but she just couldn't do it.
The invisible wounds, the constant mental torment day and night, were worse than death to her.
As long as she could escape the prison of her marriage and leave York, she would rather lose ten years of her freedom.
In an attempt to end the case quickly, Claudia took the initiative to contact Attorney Chase.
On the phone, Attorney Chase not only refused to take her case but also refused to even meet with her.
Just before hanging up, he slipped in some well-meaning advice, hinting that it might be wiser for Claudia to step back.

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