𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝟐

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟔

-𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄-

After my recovery in the US I flew to the Netherlands and just well... I kept working. I did more work outs and just kept my mind off the whole situation with Charles. I called Maverick on a daily and that was one of the things that kept me going. I had restarted being combat leader. At first I wanted to quit for Charles but it's not what makes me the happiest. I got a smaller crew this time and we would be going out in the field for short periods of time. I woke up at 6AM and changed into my running gear. I placed on my camel backpack filled with water and placed my phone inside it too so my AirPods would be connected all the time. I went outside in the sun and it was a beautiful morning in July. It was already a bit warm but I liked that. I did a warm-up and stretched before I started on my 25 kilometer run on my off day. I was running when my phone started ringing. I picked up not knowing who it was.

"Hey this is Claire. I'm running so ignore my breathing pattern please."

"Hey..."

Charles... I stopped running and staid silent for a little bit and caught my breath a little.

"Oh... uhm... hai."

"I was uhm calling. To ask when you're coming back to Monaco?"

"You want me in Monaco?"

"To be honest I don't... I just wanted to talk to you about something."

"Well I'm not able to come anytime soon to be honest... next month earliest."

"Alright... Claire there is no easy way to say this. I want a divorce. I can't be with someone who cheated on me even though I staid loyal for 7 years straight."

"I didn't... I didn't cheat Charles."

"Quit lying. I'll send you the court date. Make sure you're there."

He ended the call and I stood still just staring in the distance. He just wanted a divorce... what am I going to do?

3,5 weeks later

I walked into the court hall. I had a lawyer with me and Max had been furious with Charles ever since I called him from the hospital. Not specifically for accusing me of cheating but more for leaving me in an unknown country where I know nobody all by myself in a hospital. Maverick walked towards me and gave me a hug. I hugged him back and then I looked at his teary eyes. I gave him a reassuring smile.

"It's okay Mave... either way it's gonna be fine."

He nodded and sat back down next to Meeko who gave me a dirty glare. How can my own kid be turned against me? Well... can't do anything about it I guess. Charles was already sat down and stared in front of him. His eyes looked a little puffy and he probably didn't sleep that well in the past days. I could see that. The judge opened our case and Charles started.

"Your honor I would like this divorce because my wife cheated on me. She had a baby girl that wasn't mine. She says she doesn't know who's it is but how is that possible? It can't appear just like that right? So not only did she cheat on me but she's also lying to me in my face."

"Thank you mr.Leclerc! Mrs.Leclerc do you want to say something? Because what I heard is quite enough actually to end this case."

"I was raped your honor. I've been kept hostage for the past 7 years. In those 7 years I was used as a sex you for multiple terrorists. They didn't kill me because I was woman. The man that were held hostage with me were killed but I was spared. I know it sounds unbelievable but I got the footage of their old security footage... it shows how 7 different man... use me for their pleasure. You hear me yelling that they should stop. In the last clip you also see that I was forced to make a decision between my daughter or myself. I knew that if I killed myself for her she would be killed anyway so I decided to put myself first in that situation. Have a look yourself your honor."

I walked up to the front of the room and handed her an iPad. She frowned as she scrolled through the video. Skipping some parts as my yelling came through the room. My sobs were clear to hear as well but my words were even more clear. When she finished watching the last clip of how I watched how my own daughter was murdered she handed it back with tears in my eyes. I walked back and for the first time I looked into Charles his eyes since the hospital. His look has guilt all in them. I don't think I've ever seen that much guilt in his eyes. I stood back behind my table and looked at the judge.

"Your honor... those clips... those show what I've been through. I would never do anything to upset my husband or my sons. I would do anything for them. I had made the decision to change the job I love for my husband. I didn't go through with it because he started blaming me for something I couldn't do. I don't care how I leave this room. As long as the truth is known for everyone and that my husband and kids leave happy... or at least with a decision they think is best. Even if it would break me further then it already did."

The court room staid silent. I just stared at the judge who stared right back into my eyes. Her eyes were filled with starting tears. I heard a chair screech over the floor and looked to my side. Charles was standing next to me now. He grabbed my face as his face had tears rolling over my cheek. His soft thumbs rubbed over my cheek as he had a sad frown on his face.

"I'm so sorry cherie. I'm so so sorry you have no idea. I shouldn't have assumed something like that. I'm sorry I accused you from doing something like that. Please forgive me. You have to come home again. For me and the boys."

"You lost that right Charles."

Max stepped in between the two of us making me stand half behind his shoulder. Max wasn't happy with this all which I understood. He was my protective brother and he wants to protect me from the smallest things. Even if that means my own husband.

(1113 words)