Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 32

I stepped out of the office and almost collided with Garrison, who had just walked in. The surprise on his face was obvious.

“Lambert? What are you doing here? Did you need to see Claire about something?”

My eyes drifted to the breakfast he was holding. It was still warm, fresh from the bakery. Clearly, it was for Claire. So she already had someone bringing her breakfast, but she still sent me out this morning just to mess with me.

I didn’t even bother answering. I just walked past him, heading for the door.

Behind me, Claire’s voice rang out, cheerful and sweet. “Garrison, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for your breakfast forever.”

Garrison chuckled. “Sorry, there was a bit of traffic. I hope you’re not starving.”

“Not at all. I was waiting to eat with you,” she replied, and then pulled him back into her office.

Their voices faded behind the door, but I could practically see the two of them together, all smiles and easy laughter, like how Claire and I used to be. That time was gone now, and all I was left with was regret. The ache in my chest was sharp and sudden.

Was this what she wanted? For me to be around, just so she could hurt me whenever she felt like it?

I took a long breath, went back to my car, and closed my eyes, hoping to block everything out for a moment.

A little while later, someone knocked on my window.

I rolled it down and found Garrison standing there, his smile a little too smug.

“Lambert, you really went all out this time just to get close to Claire again, huh?”

He leaned in, lowering his voice. “I heard you tried to get money from Dad and got nothing. So now you’re back, trying to get on Claire’s good side, hoping she’ll take you back?”

My failure worked both ways for him. It meant more money for him, but my presence meant Claire still hadn’t let me go.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify