1 A Different Man

The dark clouds in the Riverside sky dropped raindrops with one purpose: the ground. Every drop of rain that touches their bodies offers sorrow, adding to the emotion of letting go of the person they love the most. Especially for Claire.

Claire Dillard, the beautiful twenty-year-old young woman, had to break down as her father's body was put into its final resting place with all the honors due to him. Mr. Todd Lowe's death brought every moment of the past back to mind.

"Dad, I never thought that your hug and kiss on my forehead last night before I went to sleep was the last loving touch I received. Why did you leave me alone, Dad?" Claire muttered softly as she stared at her father's grave.

"Goodbye, Dad. Thank you for being the greatest father and mother who loved me until today."

"I'll do what you want. I will be happy, I promise."

"Thank you for being the first man I ever loved, even though you weren't my real father."

Claire was so sad that she had to hold Harry upright. In the arms of the man she loved, Claire shed her tears.

"Uncle Todd is sleeping peacefully, Claire. Live your life happily, according to your father's message. I will always be with you and love you forever," Harry encouraged Claire.

The sadness was so great that Claire did not answer and just nodded her head briefly in Harry's arms. Little did she know that her lover's lips were curving into a distinct smile.

Harry relaxed his embrace on Claire and said, "Honey, I still have to go back."

"My parents would be furious if they found out I came back to this country but went straight to see you and lingered here."

"It's not that I don't want to be there for you through this sad moment, but I need to be strong enough to hold on to you, right? I'll come back to you after the business at my parents' house is done."

"Trust me, sweetheart, this is all for our happy future."

Without waiting for Claire's reply, Harry kissed Claire's forehead and then left Mr. Todd's funeral.

Claire murmured to herself, 'Look, Daddy. The man I chose is responsible and loves me. He didn't even let my future be bleak because of your departure.'

Claire said silently as she watched Harry walk away while stroking her 7-month-pregnant belly. Her mind wandered back in time to her high school graduation party.

That beautiful night was still vividly exposed, even though she was not fully conscious at the time. But the pleasure and the relics of that sweet moment were united in her. Yes, it was her baby, who was now 7 months pregnant.

"Miss Claire, have you not come home? It's going to rain soon, Miss."

Claire only realized and was embarrassed when one of the pilgrims called out to her, and her dirty fantasies, which were inappropriate in such a mourning atmosphere, dissipated.

"Yes, I'll be home in a minute," she replied clumsily to the man, who was her neighbor in the village.

The man nodded and walked away.

Claire massaged her forehead as she chuckled stupidly: "I need to get back to Harry's apartment."

***

Harry's apartment, Daisy Hill, 7 p.m.

Claire got out of her car, returned to Harry's apartment with a happy smile, and entered the apartment room as usual. The potbellied woman immediately gasped when she saw several pieces of women's clothing scattered on the floor.

Claire's body stiffened in disbelief. Her legs seemed to shake to hold her limp body as she heard a young woman's voice singing in the bathroom.

'Love me like you do. What are you waiting for?'

Claire muttered to herself, 'Did I enter the wrong room? Why is there another woman in this room?'

Claire mumbled and exited the room again to make sure that she had indeed entered the correct room. 'No, I didn't enter the wrong room. This is room 034.'

'This is Harry's room. But who is the woman in the bathroom right now?'

Claire walked slowly and bent down when her foot stepped on something. Her large belly made it difficult for her to pick up the woman's clothes that were on the floor.

As the sexy purple dress was lifted, Claire's eyes immediately fell on the men's underwear left underneath.

"These?"

Claire immediately cast her eyes around the room. Her tears fell immediately. Claire's hand quickly covered her open mouth to stifle the sound of crying that was about to come out.

In the corner of the room, Claire saw two large suitcases belonging to Harry, which indicated that he had gone straight home to the apartment and not to his parent's house.

'Harry, are you here now? But why would he lie and say that he went to his parent's house? What is Harry doing here? Where is he now?'

Claire continued to wonder in her heart as she tightly squeezed the purple lingerie in her hand without taking her eyes off the men's underwear on the floor.

"Oh, you?" said a beautiful young woman about Claire's age. She came out of the bathroom wearing a white towel that only covered half of her body. Even half of her breasts poked up defiantly.

With her long, wet hair down, it made the young woman's body look sexy, but that was very unusual for Claire.

Amara Dillard, Claire's adopted sister, grew up in Claire's family and is considered the golden child in the Dillard family. Amara was a young actress who had just debuted and was known as the hottest advertising star at the moment.

Claire blurted out while widening her eyes in disbelief, "A-Amara? What are you doing here?"

Amara just smiled as if laughing at Claire's shock at seeing her. The sexy woman with a mocking grin approached Claire with model-like strides as she strutted her sexy body and sat on the edge of Harry's bed, where Claire usually rested.

"Why, are you surprised to see me here?"

Claire instantly scolded, "Don't overstep your bounds, Amara! What are you here for? You're not stupid enough to remember that this is Harry's apartment, are you?"

Amara smiled mockingly and asked, "What am I doing here? I know perfectly well that this room belongs to Harry. Then why are you here too?"

"I'm no different from you, Claire," she taunted.

Claire flew into a rage and said, "You need to watch your mouth and know yourself. I'm here because I have rights. I'm Harry's fiancée, and we're getting married!"

"Why are you always the bully in my life, Amara? Go away, before I call you a slut!"

Amara didn't react and smiled even more. "What? I have to behave myself. Did you just call me a slut? Then what type of woman are you?"

"Aren't you ashamed of being Harry's fiancée, huh? Married, you say?"

"Don't dream! You'll never marry Harry. Don't think highly of yourself for carrying that bastard child in your womb!"

"That child is not Harry's. It's just the illegitimate child of another man you spent the night with!" Amara finished the sentence that left Claire dumbfounded.

Like lightning in the daytime, Claire's soul reeled in shock. "Bullshit! This baby belongs to Harry!"

"Even though I don't remember what happened that night, I'm sure I slept with Harry, and he admitted it to me too!"

"You're not trying to lie to me, Amara!" Claire denied Amara's bragging.

Amara chuckled. "Bullshit, you say?"

"You and the bastard baby in your womb are the real bullshit! You may not remember what happened that night, but I'm asking you not to get any dumber, Claire!"

"How could Harry sleep with you that night when he was in my arms and making love to me the same night?"

"How is he going to accept you when you're soiled and tainted by another man? And what's more, you even brought about your betrayal by deciding to give birth to that illegitimate child!"

Amara revealed a fact that Claire hadn't known since then. Claire was silent, with silent tears in her eyes. It made Amara smile with pleasure to see Claire's stupid, naive face.

"Realize your foolishness, Claire. Remember again, did you see the face of the man you were with that night? Do you know for sure that it was Harry?"

This time, Amara's words made Claire's face pale, forcing her to remember what happened that night.