Shattered Trust

Ch.31: Shadows of Danger

The day began quietly in the apartment. Claire was sitting on the couch, feeding Marie Li while Madison, Emily, and Sarah were laughing about something that had happened earlier in the day. The apartment felt warm and filled with peace. It was one of those rare moments where Claire could actually breathe, temporarily forgetting about the chaos that had been her life recently. But the peace was short-lived.

A loud knock came at the door, sharp and urgent. Everyone exchanged glances, the laughter halting. Claire's stomach tightened as she instinctively pulled Marie Li closer to her chest. "Who's that?" Madison asked, getting up to check.

When the door opened, it revealed Samantha, standing there with a smug smile on her face. Dressed in a way that screamed confidence and manipulation, she leaned against the doorframe like she owned the place. "Oh, don't look so shocked," Samantha smirked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I just came to see how you're doing, Claire. Heard you had a baby."

Emily, Sarah, and Madison immediately positioned themselves around Claire, protectively. "You have no business being here, Samantha," Emily said coldly, her eyes narrowing. "Get out."

Samantha ignored them and kept her gaze locked on Claire. "Relax, I'm not here to cause any trouble." But the sinister glint in her eyes told a different story. She walked slowly around the apartment, eyes drifting to Marie Li in Claire's arms. "Such a cute baby... but you know, Claire, are you sure you're ready for this?"

Claire felt her pulse quicken. "What do you want, Samantha?"

Samantha circled closer. "Oh, nothing really... I just thought you'd like to know something. You see, Liam and I... we're getting closer these days." She flashed her phone, showing a recent picture of her and Liam together. Claire's heart dropped. "He said he couldn't stand being tied down to a baby... and to you."

The words cut through Claire like a knife, but she kept her composure for Marie Li's sake. "That's not my concern anymore. Liam made his choice, and it's done."

Samantha's smile widened. "Is it, though?" She looked at Marie Li again, and a flicker of something dangerous passed through her expression. "You know, babies are so fragile... accidents happen all the time." Her tone was deceptively sweet, but the underlying threat was chilling.

Before anyone could react, Samantha made a sudden move toward Claire and the baby. Madison, Emily, and Sarah sprang into action, blocking her path, while Claire instinctively held Marie Li tighter. The tension in the room was thick, and Claire could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

"Back off, Samantha," Sarah warned, stepping forward, her voice fierce. "Don't you dare touch her."

Samantha let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, come on. I was just kidding. Don't be so dramatic." But everyone knew she wasn't. There was something unhinged about her now, a desperation mixed with jealousy and anger.

Claire, her voice shaking but resolute, spoke up. "You need to leave. Now."

For a moment, it seemed like Samantha would refuse, her eyes still locked on the baby. But finally, she backed off, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, I'm leaving. But don't think this is over, Claire. Liam doesn't care about you. And you'll regret crossing me."

With that, Samantha stormed out, slamming the door behind her. The silence left in her wake was heavy and suffocating. Claire, still holding Marie Li close, realized she was shaking. Emily quickly locked the door while Madison and Sarah rushed over to her.

"Are you okay?" Madison asked softly, kneeling by Claire's side.

Claire nodded, but tears welled up in her eyes. "She... she wanted to hurt my baby. I could see it."