Love Against All Odds by Shirley Hugh

Chapter 5 

Claire’s voice, though not loud, resonated exceptionally clearly in the silent corridor. 

She could not be bothered to blame or inquire. Just let it be. What comes easy goes easy, she said inwardly. 

Her tone was calm without emotion, as if she were just discussing what to love for lunch. 

Gavin, who was packing his first aid kit, froze when he heard about the divorce, his b*dy tensing abruptly. 

After a moment, he lifted his head, his deep black eyes like the midnight sky. 

Claire inexplicably avoided his gaze, feeling somewhat unable to meet it. For some reason, his gaze made her feel a little fearful, and she wasn’t sure how she was supposed to face him. 

Gavin, however, didn’t give her a chance to evade. His long fingers pinched her pointed chin, forcing her to look at him. “Why? I need a reason. His tone was cold, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking. 

Claire pursed her l*ps and lowered her gaze slightly, “Gavin, it’s my fault from the beginning. I should have been clear that we’re just not meant for each other. You and I are not even on the same level.” 

Gavin’s eyes subtly flickered when he heard that, but Claire didn’t notice this as she kept her head down and dared not look straight at him. 

She continued, “This morning. I’clearly saw you coming out of the hotel with Sirena. Yet, how can you act as if nothing happened! Although our marriage was hasty, I made it clear when we got the marriage license that it would be best to part amicably if we had new choices. You can tell me if you have another woman, and I won’t pester you. But given your indifferent attitude, forgive me, I cannot accept 

Claire poured out her pent–up feelings. She was not particularly sad. After all, she and Gavin were just two people brought together inexplicably and abruptly. She just felt a bit stifled by this kind of feeling 

“So, I think we should get a divorce. I won’t reveal anything about you and her. We cut ties from now on, and we’ll live our own lives from…” 

The remaining words, not yet spoken, drowned in the intense k*ss that followed, 

Sensing the soft warmth of l*ps and the overpowering breath of the man, Claire felt something explode in her mind. Her brain went blank, and her heartbeat seemed to stop suddenly. 

Stupidly rooted to the spot, she allowed the man to devour and conquer 

The moment Gavin touched Claire’s l*ps, he completely lost control. He didn’t intend to stop, and what started as a punitive k*ss gradually changed its purpose. 

The girl’s l*ps were soft and tender, like a sweet candy, enticing and unforgettable. Gavin wanted more. 

He wrapped one arm around Claire’s waist and clasped the back of her head with the other, pulling her close to him. He forced her to lift her head, allowing him a better experience. 

After a moment of passionate k*ssing, Claire finally came back to her senses. 

She lifted her hand and tried to push the man away, and moans of dissatisfaction escaped her throat. Unfortunately, in front of the 6.1–foot–tall Gavin, her strength was negligible, 

It seemed like an eternity. Chire felt as if all the air had been stolen by Gavin, like a fish out of water. 

Just as Claire thought she might suffocate in the next second, Gavin finally let her go. 

He held her securely in his arms, pressing her head against his chest. 

Claire could even hear the intense thumping of a heartbeat. But she couldn’t tell if it was his or her own. 

“Anything else?” Gavin’s usually cold voice became somewhat hoarse and deep. 

Claire’s head was still muddled, and she failed to react to his sudden question. “What do you mean by that?” 

“Any other reasons you want a divorce besides this?” Gavin replied. 

‘He is really… He can analyze everything so calmly because he is a lawyer, huh?‘ she thought to herself. 

Claire heard his serious question and decided not to conceal anything. Since she had made that clear, she might as well say everything at once. 

“You saw today how messed up my family situation is. I admit that not being clear with you from the beginning was selfish and deceitful. Now, we’re even,‘ said she. 

From now on, he could be happy with that gorgeous beauty, and she wouldn’t be a burden to him at some point down the road. 

The man remained silent for a long time. Claire couldn’t know his thoughts and felt uneasy. So, she raised her hand and pushed him again, attempting to create some distance between them. 

This time, Gavin didn’t object. He loosened his embrace and let her go, then bent down slightly in front of her, leveling his eyes with her. 

Claire saw Gavin suddenly smile, his eyes filled with complexity 

“Claire, who told you we’re even?” This was the first time he addressed her in this tone, his voice low and deep, like the enchanting sound of a cello on stage. 

Gavin couldn’t understand why she looked in a daze, but he could not be bothered to think about it. He continued, “Firstly, I didn’t act like nothing happened. It was the truth that nothing happened between her and me. Secondly, I never promised. the so–called ‘parting amicably you mentioned, not in the past, never m the future. Lastly, Claire, marriage for me happens only once in a lifetime. Do you understand?” 

Claire blinked, feeling like she didn’t quite comprehend. 

Watching her dazed expression. Gavin helplessly raised his hand to ruffle her head again. Just as he was about to speak, his phone suddenly rang. 

He glanced at the caller ID, and almost simultaneously, Claire saw it as well. It was Sirena calling