Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 12

Seeing all my stuff scattered across the floor felt like someone had just stripped me bare in front of everyone.

Claire held up the photo, her eyes cold and voice sharp. “So, you’re choosing the cash over this picture? Is that it?”

I glanced at the bills lying on the ground, my voice barely a whisper. “Yeah. The wallet’s worth more than the photo.”

“It’s just an old picture anyway. Just a piece of worthless paper.” I forced the words out, each one burning as it left my mouth. Only I knew how much it hurt to say them. I couldn’t even imagine how disappointed she must have felt hearing them.

Of course, Claire’s face darkened, anger and disappointment written all over her. “You really do only care about money. Fine. If that’s the case, then you don’t need this at all.”

Before I could react, she tore the photo up right in front of me and flung the pieces straight at my face.

Watching the only thing left from our past get ripped apart, I felt my heart break with it. She might have thought it was just a picture, but for me, it was the last piece of our memories together.

The pain and bitterness crashed over me, but I couldn’t let any of it out.

“Don’t show up in front of me again!” she shouted, her voice shaking. “Every time I see you, I just hate you more. If you dare come near me again, I’ll make you regret it, I swear. I’ll pay you back double for everything you did to me!”

She shot me one last glare, then spun around and walked off.

I held back the sting in my nose and the tightness in my chest, then crouched down to pick up my things. When I was done gathering the money and cards, I looked at what was left of the photo. Our faces had been torn to shreds. There was no way to put it back together.

That photo had been the only thing keeping me company after everything fell apart, and now it was just a pile of scraps at my feet.

My hands shook as I tried to pick up the pieces, but a sudden gust of wind swept them away, scattering them everywhere.

That was it. Now I’d lost the last thing I had.

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