Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 128

Chapter 5

After the press conference had finally ended, John Sterling returned to the mansion, his entire body weighed down by exhaustion. His steps were heavy, and almost without thinking, he called out softly, “Claire?”

For the past five years, whenever the weight of the world pressed too hard on him, he would find comfort in resting his head on my lap for a few quiet moments. He always insisted it was the best way to recharge his spirit.

But tonight was different. He moved from room to room, flicking on every bedroom light, searching every corner of the sprawling house. Yet, no matter where he looked, I was nowhere to be found.

“Claire, are you in one of the rooms?” His voice held a hint of worry now, his brow knitting together as unease crept in like a shadow.

With a heavy sigh, John muttered under his breath, “She’s probably still upset.” The words hung in the air, but they did little to ease his growing concern.

He sank down onto the couch, the leather cool beneath him, and pulled out his phone. “Is the ring ready yet?” he asked his assistant with a tone that was both hopeful and urgent.

“Good. Bring it over right away—I need it tonight,” he instructed, his voice firm but strained.

After ending the call, John tapped out a series of texts to me. “Claire, are you out shopping? Why aren’t you back yet?” he typed, his fingers trembling slightly. “What time will you be home? Do you want me to come pick you up?”

But silence was his only answer. No reply came through.

Clutching his phone tightly, John remained on the couch, his body sinking deeper into fatigue as the night wore on. The quiet of the mansion was oppressive, broken only by the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the distance.

When he finally awoke, a chill from the night air brushed against his skin. The living room was still cloaked in darkness, and the silence told him no one else had returned.

“Claire?” His voice was barely more than a whisper now, laced with growing dread.

Suddenly, a sharp realization hit him—something was terribly wrong.

He threw on his coat and began another frantic search, moving through the study, the living room, and every shadowed corner where I might be hiding. But there was still no sign of me.

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