Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 153: Leave Me Alone

Emma sat at her desk in her and Alex's room, completely absorbed in the delicate lines of her latest dress design.

The tip of her pencil moved gracefully over the sketchpad, shaping a flowing evening gown with intricate lace details. Designing had always been her escape and her own way of expressing herself without words.

She was just about to add the finishing touches when the door burst open. She jolted, her pencil slipping and leaving an unintended mark on the paper.

Alex rushed in, his face tense, his breathing uneven like he had run all the way there even though he had only been downstairs bringing water to Emma when Chris called him.

Emma frowned, lowering her pencil. "Alex? What's going on?" She took in his expression, concern immediately replacing the irritation of being interrupted. "Why do you look so tense?"

Alex ran a hand through his hair, pacing for a second before stopping in front of her. "Claire... she didn't have dinner with Chris's mother like she was supposed to," he said and Emma could feel the tension in his voice.

Emma's frown deepened. "What? Why?"

Alex let out a frustrated breath. "Because Chris's aunt—she knows about Claire's secret," he said making Emma brows draw together in confusion.

Emma sat up straighter. "Secret?" she asked with a confused frown and Alex nodded, his jaw tightening.

Emma searched his face. "What secret, Alex?"

Alex looked away for a moment, his hands clenched into fists. "It's the past I told you about concerning Claire. Her dark past and everything that happened twenty-nine years ago," he said with a sigh.

Emma felt a chill run down her spine. "What happened twenty-nine years ago? What is this her dark past about? And what does it have to do with her relationship with Chris or having dinner with his mom and aunt?" Emma asked not understanding anything.

"That's what I don't understand," Alex admitted, frustration lacing his tone. "I don't know everything, but it's serious. Claire wouldn't even defend herself. Chris said his aunt knows about it and started accusing Claire the moment they saw," Alex said, running his fingers through his hair.

Emma's heart clenched at that. She had come to know Claire as a strong woman, someone who carried herself with dignity no matter the situation or circumstance.

The idea of Claire standing there, silent against an accusation, made something tighten in her chest and she looked up at Alex, wondering how grievous the accusation or whatever happened could be.

"Alex..." she started, her voice softer now. "What could be so bad that she wouldn't even fight back or defend herself?" she asked and Alex looked at her, his eyes softening.

"It involves murder, Em. And Claire is the accused murderer...."

"What?" Emma asked in alarm before she could stop herself. That had to be a joke or a false accusation. "She didn't do that, right?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't know, Emma. Even I don't have the answer to that and that isn't the problem now. I need to see her, Em. She's vulnerable right now," Alex said softly abd Emma nodded, understanding what it felt like to be accused of something.

Emma stood up immediately. "She's not coming home? Didn't you say Chris is bringing her?" she asked with a frown.

Alex glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "He's not bringing her here. Claire asked him to drop her off at the house," he said and Emma breath caught.

If she'd thought she understood then perhaps she didn't.

Emma stood frozen as different thoughts passed through her mind. Claire's not coming here to the place they had all started considering home but she's going to her house.

She knew what that meant. Claire didn't want them in her space. She needed space but that was a bad idea considering how grievous the situation was. She thought, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach.

"Then let's go," she said firmly, grabbing her coat.

Alex nodded, already reaching for his car keys. Without wasting another second, they rushed out.

As they drove, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that whatever had happened all those years ago was more than just a secret and an accused murder case.

It was something heavy, something Claire had been carrying for nearly three decades. And now, it was finally catching up to her and she hoped that Claire would be able to come out of this triumphantly.

A few minutes later, the car screeched to a halt in front of Claire's house.

Alex barely waited for the engine to shut off before he threw open the door and hurried towards the entrance. Emma was right behind him, her heart pounding hard in her chest.

She hoped that Claire was fine and hadn't done something stupid.

Alex banged his fist against the front door. "Claire!" he called since the whole maids were outside.

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Claire had asked them to use the other small house that was different from the main mansion and because she was their boss, they had obeyed without question.

"Claire?" Alex called again but there was no answer.

He knocked again, harder this time. "Claire, open the door! We know you're in there."

But there was still silence. Emma's stomach twisted. She exchanged a quick glance with Alex, who looked just as tense, his jaw tight with frustration and something deeper.

Was it fear?

Claire had never ignored them like this before except after the incident twenty nine years ago.

Seeing the frustration abd fear in her husband's eyes, Emma decided to try this time, her voice softer but filled with urgency.

"Claire, it's us. Please, open up," she called but there was still nothing.

From the way the house was big, they knew Claire was likely not going to hear them but that was why they had banged on the door so she could hear, yet, she had refused to open the door.

Alex pulled out his phone and dialed Claire's number, pressing it to his ear. They both waited, holding their breath as the call rang.

The call rang and rang until it finally went to voicemail. He tried again but still no answer.

Alex clenched his fist. "Damn it!" He hit redial for the third time but still, nothing making the fear inside of him grow with each passing second.

Emma swallowed hard. "She's not picking up."

"She's ignoring us," Alex muttered, pacing in front of the door. His fingers ran through his hair in frustration. His breathing had quickened, and Emma could see the growing panic in his eyes.

Emma turned to the maids standing a few feet away, their faces filled with worry. "None of you have seen her?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

One of them shook her head. "She arrived with Chris but after he left she asked us to leave. We haven't seen her since she went inside."

Emma felt a cold wave of anxiety wash over her. Claire was alone inside, refusing to answer the door, refusing to take their calls.

What if something was wrong?

Alex let out a sharp breath and turned back to the door. "We have to get in."

Emma hesitated. "But how—"

Before she could finish, Alex stepped back, squared his shoulders, and with all his strength, slammed his body against the door. The wood groaned but didn't give way.

"Alex—" Emma started, alarmed. "You're going to hurt yourself," she cried but Alex wasn't listening.

Again, he threw his weight against the door. This time, the lock snapped, and the door burst open with a loud crack.

Emma flinched, her heart racing. Immediately the door opened, Alex didn't wait a second.

He stormed inside, eyes scanning the living room before rushing towards the staircase. "Claire!" he called again, voice sharp with desperation.

Emma hurried after him, her pulse pounding in her ears. The house was eerily quiet, almost suffocating in its stillness. It made her chest tighten with unease.

They reached the second floor. Claire's bedroom door was closed.

Alex pounded on it. "Claire, open the door!" he pounded but like when they were outside, there was no answer.

He knocked again, harder. "Claire, damn it, say something, please!"

A long silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Then, finally, her voice came, though muffled, and weak. "Leave me alone, Alex."

Emma's breath caught though a wave of relief passed through her knowing she hadn't hurt herself.

Alex's eyes darkened. "Claire, we're not leaving until we see you," he said not wanting to leave his sister alone.

Then, Claire's voice came again, quieter this time. "I want to be alone. Just go."

Alex clenched his jaw. His hands curled into fists, his body rigid. Emma could see the storm of emotions in his eyes—anger, frustration, but most of all, hurt and it hurt her too.

Emma placed a hand on his arm. "Alex..."

He swallowed hard, taking a deep breath before stepping back. His shoulders slumped slightly, the weight of helplessness settling over him.

Without another word, he turned and walked downstairs, his steps heavy, his face unreadable.

Emma lingered for a moment, looking at Claire's door. She wanted to say something—anything—to make Claire let them in. But she knew Claire too well. Pushing her now would only make her retreat further.

With a heavy heart, she followed Alex downstairs.

They had come looking for answers, but instead, they had only more questions. And the one person who could tell them the truth was shutting them out.

Though Claire was okay and had asked them to leave, Emma and Alex hoped and prayed that she'd remain okay and wouldn't let naughty or evil thoughts into her head now that she was by herself.