Worship The Ground You Walk On
Chapter 46 Don't Hurt Her

Claudia was an illegitimate daughter of the Evans family. Her real mother wasn't Blair; it was someone else.

It was a public secret in the upper class.

That was why Blair couldn't care less about Claudia, and everybody else took that for granted.

Maybe Marshall had heard this from someone, and maybe he had figured it out on his own... anyway, he surely had sniffed something.

The first thing that came to Claudia's mind was to deny it. She shook her head and denied using signal language, "No, you misunderstood!"

Before her hands finished moving, Marshall talked to her again. This time, he grabbed her arms and said hysterically, "Don't you lie to me again! You've been hidden it away from me for such a long time. I should've known better, but..."

He was suddenly choked by words.

Marshall was emotional at that time.

Claudia and he grew up together. Their family matched them for a couple when they were young. He believed that she was the only one for him and had been deeply in love with her.

When Claudia and Ben announced the date of their wedding, Marshall was working abroad. He knew there was a world of fair reasons for the marriage, but he still couldn't accept that. When he was back, Claudia had already become Mrs. Crawford.

Claudia took a deep breath and shook her head again.

She signed, "It's not like that. Marshall! You misunderstood!"

Marshall replied, "No, I didn't. Claudia, we grew up together and have had feelings for each other for so long. I can't figure out any reason why you would marry someone else."

Claudia frowned deeper when she heard this.

She sighed and then signed, "Let me explain..."

"I know you've been treating me nicely, and I see you as my big brother, a family member... but I have never thought that we would end up together as a couple. Also... you should know that I wasn't forced into this marriage!"

She was telling the truth.

She knew Marshall had loved her for many years, but she had never given him any positive response. Every time he tried to confess his love to her, she would reject him.

He didn't know the reason why he was constantly rejected, now it all made sense.

Claudia looked embarrassed. She shook her head. Marshall never thought that she would have such a strong action.

He had known her since they were little children. He knew she would be calm no matter what problem she was faced with. She was far from an impetuous woman, unless... Suddenly, he took a wild guess.

Marshall looked at her in surprise. His body froze and his pale lips murmured, "Is it because..."

"Is it because he's the one you've loved for all these years?"

As he asked the question, he saw Claudia's gaze pause and her head stop shaking. He knew that was a positive signal.

For all these years, she had been keeping him outside. He knew she had a beloved one hidden in her heart, but she had never talked about it, and he had never asked.

Marshall found himself in an embarrassing position now. His dark and sharp eyebrows slightly creased. After a long while, he asked, "Do you love him?"

Before he finished speaking, Claudia signed, "I know he doesn't love me, and I know our marriage is ridiculous, but Marshall, this is my choice, and I have the right to proceed. I'm sorry." She continued, "I hope you can be happy, but I'm not the one that can make you happy. I'm sorry."

Marshall forced a smile and said, "Don't be. You've never promised anything to me."

It was always his own wishful thinking.

It was secret and unrequited love.

That was all about it.

She didn't have to apologize.

Marshall was inches away from her. His gloomy eyes and sad face made Claudia depressed. She still felt sorry, but she didn't know how to continue explaining.

Marshall looked at her. He thought for a while and signed, "I'm glad that you weren't forced into this marriage. It's a great relief for me."

As soon as Claudia heard that, her heart ached again.

He cared so much about her.

She felt warmth streaming across her veins, which she had never felt before.

"Where does your mom live? I can bring her to physical examination so that you don't have to worry." Marshall said. He remembered that Claudia's mother had mental issues and stayed in a nursing home. He didn't know which nursing home she was in.

Claudia nodded and signed "thanks" to him.

"Stop thanking me for this and that, Claudia. I know you and I are over... I still wish you can be happy!"

Marshall was sure that he wouldn't have any thought on Claudia as long as she was married.

They would just be friends who cared about each other, and shared special memories.

Claudia looked down and didn't know how to express her gratitude for his kindness.

"Have you finished the drugs I brought you last time?" Marshall said as he passed the umbrella to her. Then he turned back and took a large shopping bag out of the car. Claudia took it over. "This is for the next month. Take it on time every day. It's good for your throat." He repeatedly told her.

Claudia felt the bag so heavy.

She knew they would never get together, and she knew she had let her down, but she didn't know how to make him give up.

That felt awkward.

At the end of the conversation when Marshall was about to walk Claudia into the Villa before he left, a car screeched to a halt behind them.

Through the drizzling rain, Claudia and Marshall saw Ben get out of the car. He was wearing a suit and tie. The driver hurriedly stepped forward and held up an umbrella for him.

Claudia frowned as soon as she saw Ben.

He approached the two, eyes skimming over them. When he found the medicine in Claudia's bag, he grinned a light smile. Claudia would never forget how cold the smile was. Ben looked sideways at Marshall and said, "Mr. Cooper, you're a famous surgeon. I don't think home delivery service is one of your job duties."

That was very disdainful and sarcastic.

Claudia held the bag tighter and tighter.

Marshall looked into Ben's eyes and replied, "It's not home delivery service. It's just a special favor for my best friend."

"Special?" Ben asked. That word turned to be harsh to him. He murmured it repeatedly, "Is my wife so special to Doctor Cooper?"

"Yes, she is."

Marshall's replied as soon as Ben finished speaking. He answered without any hesitation, leaving Claudia in shock.

"You may be unaware, but in my opinion, you don't appreciate the happy life that other people enjoy."

What Ben scorned was out of Marshall's reach.

That was a dark side everybody had. Some chose to expose it, while others chose to hide it deeply.

Before Ben could say anything, Marshall ended this conversation by giving his blessing.

He said, "I wish you a happy life with Claudia, but only if you don't hurt her."

Later, Ben watched Marshall's car left. His deep and cold eyes focused, with thoughts in them that no one could read.☐☐☐