Chapter 14

As the first rays of Summer's sun cast their warm glow upon Mineral Town once again, Mineral Town awakens to the promise of another hot season. In the fields of Mother's hill, pink catmint flowers start to bloom, their delicate petals adding a splash of color to the verdant landscape. The thoughts of pineapples floods the minds of the people of Mineral Town, whetting their appetites for tropical fruits and fancy dishes.

For the residents of Mineral Town, Summer once again heralds a time of renewal and abundance. The long days are filled with the hum of activity as villagers prepare for the warm season ahead. From the jovial chatter at the local shops to the laughter of children playing in the beach, there is an undeniable sense of energy and excitement in the air.

It is now the first day of Summer, a time eagerly awaited by all, heralding the arrival of the annual Swimming Festival at Mineral Beach. Families emerge from their homes, donning their swimsuits and packing picnic baskets, ready to spend a day of leisure by the sparkling shores. The people enjoying their day off and socializing with their neighbors after all that has happened.

However, amidst the festivities and laughter, Jack and Claire decided to forgo the Swimming Festival this year. While the rest of the town flocked to the beach to soak up the sun and partake in the festivities, Jack and Claire each had their own reasons for staying behind.

In the farmhouse, Claire sits before her vanity, the soft morning light filtering through the window and casting a gentle glow over her features. With practiced strokes, she brushes her long, golden locks, the strands glimmering in the sunlight as they cascade down her back. Lost in her own thoughts, she is startled when Jack enters the room, his presence pulling her attention away from the mirror.

"What are you getting ready for?" Jack inquires, his voice breaking the quiet of the room.

A smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she replies, "Kai is coming to town tomorrow. I haven't seen him since last year, so I want to look my best."

Jack exhales deeply, the weight of Claire's words settling heavily on his shoulders. "I hate to be the one to remind you, but does he know you're married now?" he questions, his tone tinged with concern.

Claire hesitates, her fingers pausing on the brush as she considers Jack's words. "Um, well… I'm going to tell him when he gets here tomorrow," she responds, her voice wavering slightly. "I'll explain that this marriage was an accident, and I'm sure we'll find a way to make it work. We might even find a way out of this marriage if we're lucky. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Jack's expression remains impassive as he absorbs Claire's words. Despite their shared experiences and the journey they've been through together since their accidental marriage, he can't shake the pang of sadness that grips his heart. The realization that Claire still harbors feelings for someone who has been absent from her life for the better part of a year weighs heavily on him.

Jack turns away, his footsteps heavy as he makes his way out of the room. "Do whatever you want. I'm heading out to hang out with Popuri. See ya," he murmurs, the sense of disappointment lingering in the air.

"Jack wait!" Claire shouts.

As he hears Claire calls out, a flicker of hope lights up in his chest, but it quickly dims as her words continue. "Be nice to Popuri," she implores, her voice tinged with concern and frustration. "She lost her mother, and only you can help her through this."

Jack's silence speaks volumes as he absorbs Claire's words. While he appreciates her concern for Popuri, it's not the words he had hoped for. With a resigned sigh, he leaves without saying another word, the weight of disappointment heavy on his shoulders.

Once the front door closes behind him, Claire can't help but mutter a frustrated "jerk" under her breath. With a shake of her head, she pushes aside her conflicting emotions and refocuses on her plans for her date with Kai.

Jack meets Popuri outside the hot springs, the soothing waters bubbling gently nearby. Popuri shows off some eggs she boiled in the hot springs. After exchanging a brief greeting, they find a quiet spot to sit, the steam from the hot springs curling behind them like a comforting embrace. With the eggs nestled between them, they begin to eat in silence. Popuri's fingers fidget nervously against the egg's shell, a telltale sign of the weight pressing on her mind. She called him to the hot springs because she has something important to discuss, something she's been wrestling with for days, but each time she tries to broach the subject, the words seem to slip away. As she gathers her resolve to speak, her gaze flickers to Jack's face, catching the subtle sadness in his expression.

Popuri sets aside her egg and confronts the issue head-on. "Jack, is everything alright?" she asks, her concern evident in her voice.

Jack hesitates, the weight of his emotions pressing down on him like a heavy blanket. "I'm just tired," he deflects, his voice strained with the effort of maintaining composure.

Popuri refuses to let it go, her empathy urging Jack to open up. "You look more than just tired," she presses gently. "What's really bothering you?"

Jack sits in silence, his thoughts swirling like the steam rising from the hot springs behind them. Despite the warm embrace of the steam, a chill settles over him, tightening his chest with a sense of loneliness. He's admonished himself countless times for concerning over Claire and her romantic entanglements. After all, their marriage was nothing more than a whimsical accident, a twist of fate they never intended to embrace seriously. Yet, knowing that Kai is returning to the familiar streets of Mineral Town, a weighty discomfort settles within him, an unease he can't quite shake. The more time he spends with Claire, the more he realizes how complicated their connection truly is, leaving him grappling with a sense of awkward uncertainty.

"Is it Claire?" she asks pointedly.

He stammers for a moment before replying, "No, of course not. It's not about Claire." His response comes out sheepishly, betraying his true feelings.

Popuri's curiosity isn't satisfied, and she presses on. "How is she doing anyway?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

Jack leans back against the walls of the hot springs, his expression troubled. "She's at home, getting ready for a date with her boyfriend," he reveals.

"Wait, Claire has a boyfriend?" she asks, her voice tinged with shock.

Jack nods in confirmation, observing Popuri's reaction with curiosity. As she gazes down at the egg in her hand, a blush creeps up her cheeks. "Wow, Claire really has a boyfriend?" she murmurs to herself, processing the news. "So they're not as close as I thought! This should make things easier for me now," she muses silently, her mind already drifting towards her own thoughts and plans.

As Popuri processes the news, a nagging curiosity begins to gnaw at her. Who could possibly be interested in dating a married woman in Mineral Town? Most of the eligible bachelors are already involved with someone else, and she can't fathom Claire choosing one of the older single men like Zack or Won over Jack. The idea of Claire dating someone from outside Mineral Town crosses her mind, but she knows how challenging that would be without anyone noticing. With a glance at Jack, she feels compelled to satisfy her curiosity. Leaning in closer, she says, "Hey Jack, we're friends, right?"

Jack nods in response. Encouraged, Popuri presses on, "And since we're friends, that means you shouldn't keep secrets from me."

"What are you talking about?" Jack asks, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

After a playful nudge, Popuri responds, "Oh, come on Jack, you can tell me! Who is Claire's boyfriend? I promise not to tell anyone!"

Jack chuckles softly before responding, "It's no secret. I thought everyone knew." He pauses, furrowing his brow in concentration. "Let's see... What was his name again? I only saw him once, and I was pretty busy with the farm at the time. Claire mentioned it earlier today, and it's right on the tip of my tongue. I do know he only comes around in the Summer."

Popuri's eyes widen in shock. "Wait, could he be talking about Kai?" She says under her breath.

As Jack ruminates, he muses aloud, "What was his name again? I know it starts with a 'K'. Could it be Kevin? No, it's definitely shorter than that." Popuri's hands begin to tremble as the pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. She struggles to contain her emotions, but the revelation that the man she loves has been seeing Claire behind her back gnaws at her. Suddenly, Jack's face lights up with recognition. "I remember now! It's Kai!"

Upon hearing the name, Popuri's reaction is immediate. She stands up abruptly, her movements tense and hurried. Jack watches her leave, sensing the tension in her departure. "Hey, is everything alright?" he calls after her, concern lacing his voice.

Popuri pauses briefly, turning back to offer Jack a strained smile. "Sorry, I just remembered that I have something to do today. We'll talk later, okay?"

"But didn't you have something you wanted to talk about?" Jack presses, puzzled by her sudden departure.

"Oh, that can wait until later. See ya!" With that, Popuri walks away briskly, leaving Jack to contemplate her abrupt exit.

As Jack watches her leave, he can't shake the feeling of unease that settles in his stomach. He glances down at the uneaten eggs in the bowl. Despite his confusion, he decides not to dwell on Popuri's behavior, opting instead to focus on finishing his meal. With a shrug, he picks up the bowl and resumes eating, hoping that things will become clearer in time.

The following day, Claire wakes up early and rushes to the animals to get a head start. With a sense of urgency, Claire completes her tasks on the farm with remarkable efficiency, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Kai. As she finishes up, she glances at the time and realizes that he must have arrived at the beach and started unpacking and preparing to open for business. Without wasting a moment, she hurries back home, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Once inside, Claire quickly checks her appearance in the mirror, ensuring that her hair is perfectly styled and her attire is clean and suitable for their rendezvous. Satisfied with her appearance, she grabs the necklace Kai gave her the year before and ties it around her neck. She then sets off towards the beach, her steps quick and purposeful.

The warm summer sun beats down on her as she makes her way through the familiar paths of Mineral Town. As she gets close to the beach, she can feel the salty breeze carrying the faint sound of waves crashing against the shore. With each step, Claire's excitement grows, her mind racing with thoughts of seeing Kai again after so long.

Claire's heart sinks as she approaches Rose Square and catches sight of Kai and Popuri standing together, their expressions tense and her voices raised. Instinctively, Claire ducks behind a nearby bush, hidden from view but close enough to hear their conversation.

From her vantage point, Claire observes Popuri's angry expression and Kai's passive demeanor. It's clear that Popuri is upset with him, but Claire has no idea why.

Unable to resist the urge to find out more, Claire remains hidden, her ears tuned in to every word exchanged between the two. She knows she shouldn't be listening in on their private conversation, but the desire to understand what's happening proves too strong to resist.

"Kai, how could you!" Popuri's voice rings out, filled with frantic disbelief.

"Calm down," Kai urges, glancing around anxiously. "You must be pretty upset if you're confronting me during the day. What if someone sees us?"

Popuri's hands find their way to her hips as she stares at Kai. "You know what?" she says, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't care at this point. I know all about your little affair with Claire last year."

"Ah, so you heard about that," Kai responds, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "I know what you're thinking, but I promise that I have a perfectly reasonable explanation for it."

Popuri's voice rises with indignation. "Oh, I can't wait to hear it, spit it out!"

"Gladly," Kai says confidently, his tone calm. "You see, last year, I was starting to feel that Rick was starting to catch on to our little nightly meetings. I needed an alibi in case something caught on, and that's when I met Claire. She volunteered to pretend to be my girlfriend, but only if we got caught so we could keep our relationship a secret. But she fell in love with me somewhere down the line, and I couldn't get her off of me. I didn't want to upset you by telling you about it, so I tried to handle it myself."

Claire gasps, feeling a mix of disbelief and anger. "That little liar! He flirted with me!"

Kai maintains his composed demeanor. "Just ignore whatever Claire told you. She just wants us to break up because she's upset. That's all."

"That's a funny story," retorts Popuri. "There's just one small problem with it. Claire never told me; she doesn't even know that I know!"

"Oh, really?" Kai responds, unfazed by the revelation. "Then who told you?"

"That's none of your business! Admit it, you did cheat on me!" Popuri's voice rises with accusation.

Claire's fists clench tightly, her anger boiling over as she listens in. She's ready to confront Kai as soon as she gets the chance. But for now, she remains hidden, eager to uncover more about the unfolding drama.

Kai remains unfazed by Popuri's outburst, shaking his head in disbelief. "My dear sweet Popuri. Why are we even talking about this? After all, isn't Claire married now?" he asks, his tone laced with a hint of condescension.

Claire's mind races with confusion as she tries to comprehend how Kai could possibly know about her marriage to Jack. She hadn't communicated with him since the previous year and she cant imagine anyone else telling him about it, so the revelation leaves her baffled. Meanwhile, Popuri looks down, unable to find the words to argue with Kai. The tension hangs thick in the air, and Claire remains hidden, unsure of what to do next.

Kai's feigned innocence cuts through the tension like a blade, his words laced with a subtle mockery. "Now, who did Claire get married to so quickly after I left?" he muses aloud, his tone dripping with faux pondering. "Oh, I remember now! It's Jack, isn't it? You know, the guy you tried to cheat on me with."

Popuri's cheeks blaze crimson with embarrassment as she turns away, unable to meet Kai's probing gaze. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she retorts defensively. "Jack and I are just friends."

But Kai's knowing smirk betrays his skepticism, casting a shadow of doubt over Popuri's denial. Claire's hands curl into fists at her sides, hidden from view, as she seethes with anger at Kai's manipulative tactics. The air hangs heavy with unspoken truths, threatening to unravel the fragile bonds between them all.

Kai grips on Popuri's chin, forcing her to meet his gaze as he relishes in her discomfort. With a menacing gleam in his eyes, he speaks with a cold, calculated tone. "You must think I'm an idiot. Just because I'm not physically here, that doesn't mean I dont know the goings-on in this town. I know exactly what you've been up to, whether you care to admit it or not."

Popuri's anger simmers beneath the surface, her eyes burning with defiance as she meets Kai's gaze. But Kai presses on, undeterred by her fiery glare. "Still don't believe me? Fine. Let me enlighten you. Two years ago, I left this wretched town behind, and you, my dear, were left behind as well. You were so desperate for a proposal, that you devised a plan to make me jealous. The plan was simple: attract someone else's attention, and I would swoop back in to claim you, and we'd leave town and live happily ever after. But there was a flaw in your plan. No one in this town wants to date you, fearing you're going to get sick, just like your mother."

Popuri's fists clench at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fights to maintain her composure in the face of Kai's cruel words. The air crackles with tension as the truth hangs heavy between them, each word serving as a bitter reminder of their fractured relationship.

Kai's voice drips with disdain as he delivers his accusations, his words laced with venom as he unravels Popuri's supposed schemes. "And then there's Jack. A fresh face in town, easy prey for your manipulative tactics. You wormed your way into his life, hoping to ensnare him with your charms. A perfect candidate to make me jealous. But no matter how hard you tried, Claire was always in the picture. You even threw him a lavish little birthday party, but it all ended in disappointment when Jack chose Claire over you and married her that very night. You may have tried, but Jack saw through you. You're nothing more than a desperate little girl, clinging to the hope of someone else's affection. The truth is clear, Popuri: you have no one but me. No one else will ever love you like I do."

Popuri's face contorts with anger and despair, her fists trembling at her sides as Kai's words cut through her like a knife. The weight of his accusations hangs heavy in the air, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable in the face of his cruelty.

"If you love me so much, then prove it!" Demanded Popuri.

Kai knows too well what it takes to pacify Popuri. Kai then pulls her closer and kisses her in the lips. As Kai's lips meet Popuri's, a fleeting sense of comfort washes over her, momentarily clouding her thoughts and soothing her wounded pride.

Claire has seen enough from her hiding spot, her heart heavy with anger and disbelief at what she's witnessed. With a steely resolve, she emerges from the shadows and strides purposefully toward Kai and Popuri.

Sensing her approach, Kai abruptly pushes Popuri away and turns to face Claire. Kai stammers, his eyes darting nervously between Claire and Popuri. "Claire, it's not what you think," he protests weakly, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Save it Kai! I've heard everything," Claire says, her voice dripping with disdain. "You son of a bitch! I can't believe that I waited a whole year for you!"

As Kai opens his mouth to offer yet another feeble excuse, Claire's patience reaches its limit. Without a second thought, she lashes out with a swift punch sending him sprawling to the ground.

Standing over Kai, her fists clenched at her sides, Claire fixes him with a withering glare. "I've heard enough of your lies, Kai," she says, her voice trembling with anger. "I trusted you, and you betrayed me. We're through, Kai. I never want to see your face ever again!" She then walks away, leaving Kai behind.

As Kai struggles to his feet, a defiant smirk spreads across his face. "Fine, Claire, if that's how you want it," he says, his voice dripping with false bravado. "I don't need you anyway! I still have Popur!"

But before Kai can take another step, Popuri steps forward, her expression hard and determined. Without a word, she raises her hand and delivers a resounding slap across Kai's cheek, the sound echoing through the square.

"You don't have me either, Kai," she says, her voice filled with scorn. "I'm done with you and your lies too!"

With that, Popuri turns on her heel and strides away following Claire, leaving Kai standing alone in the square, his cheek stinging from the force of her blow.

With a bitter laugh, Kai watches Claire and Popuri walk away, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Fine! I don't need either of you!" he shouts after them, his voice tinged with frustration. "I've got plenty of other girlfriends in other towns who would kill to be with me!"

As they walk away from the square, Claire and Popuri exchange incredulous glances, still reeling from the revelation of Kai's deceit. "I can't believe he tricked both of us like that," Claire says, shaking her head in disbelief.

Popuri nods in agreement, her expression a mix of frustration and betrayal. "I never would have thought he'd stoop so low," she murmurs, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Claire lets out a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad I didn't give my virginity to him," she admits, grateful for the narrow escape from Kai's manipulative clutches.

Popuri offers her a reassuring smile. "You should consider yourself lucky. At least you gave yours to your husband."

Claire's mind races as she processes Popuri's revelation. "So wait, you and Kai were really... like that?" she begins, her voice trailing off as she struggles to find the right words.

Popuri nods, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yes," she confirms quietly. "It would have been six Summers since we started dating."

"Six?" Claire repeats, her brow furrowing in confusion. She replays Kai's words in her mind, realizing the inconsistency. "But last year, Kai told me that he was only around for three."

In that moment, the pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place for Claire. The realization hits her like a ton of bricks, and she feels a surge of anger and betrayal wash over her. Everything that Kai has ever told her was a lie, stories he made up to drop her guard and get her in his bed. The irony isn't lost on her as she reflects on her accusations against Jack. She had been so quick to judge him, yet the real deception had come from the one she had thought she loved. Jack still treated her well despite the accusations, while Kai has been running around with other women.

Claire, feeling a mix of relief and remorse, adds, "Listen,I'm sorry Popuri. I didn't mean to get involved in all this mess. I should have seen through Kai's lies sooner."

Popuri smiles warmly at Claire, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Claire. We both fell for his lies. What matters now is that we've seen the truth and we're going to be moving forward without him. Besides, I was planning to break up with Kai anyway," she confesses. "If he didn't propose by the end of this Summer, I was done with him, so don't feel bad over it."

Claire frowns at Popuri as she looks away. "Yeah, well, you dodged a real bullet there. Being married is not as nice as you think it is. Sometimes I wish I was never married to Jack."

"What are you talking about?" asks Popuri, a hint of confusion in her voice as she tilts her head slightly to the side. "Wasn't it your idea to marry Jack in the first place?"

Claire's eyes widen with shock, her heart pounding a little faster in her chest. "What are you talking about?" she asks, her mind racing to make sense of Popuri's words.

"Wow, I can't believe that you still don't remember that wild night. But I remember it like it was only yesterday."

"Then what really happened?" Claire asks, almost scared to know the truth of what happened that night after she blacked out.

Popuri takes a deep breath, her gaze drifting momentarily as she recalls the details of that fateful night. "It was the night of Jack's birthday," she begins, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and amusement. "Both of you were in that drinking contest. After the last chug of beer, Jack passed out, and you were declared the winner."

Claire listens intently, her mind piecing together the fragmented memories of that evening.

"As the town cheered for your victory," Popuri continues, "you patted Jack on the back and told him that you no longer wanted to keep your relationship a secret. In fact, you decided to tell Jack that you should just get married. Jack nodded, which made you two officially engaged. Once everyone heard that, they dragged you both to the church and got you two married." A light chuckle escapes her lips, then continues, "Everyone thought that they were doing you guys a favor. Trust me, I wanted to stop them, but I couldn't. I had Kai, or I thought I did back then."

A flush of embarrassment washes over Claire as the details become clear as day. But even if she believes everything Popuri told her, she begins to wonder why would she say those words to Jack. She clearly remembers nearly hating him that night.

As Claire pieces together Popuri's explanation with her own fragmented memories, the truth of that night begins to emerge like a dawning realization. Before the party, her mind had been consumed by thoughts of Kai—his presence, his absence, his allure. He was the singular focus of her thoughts, dreams, and fantasies. And in her intoxicated state, her subconscious must have woven him into every aspect of the night.

She closes her eyes, retracing the events in her mind. Every whispered word, every gesture, every decision—all colored by the phantom presence of Kai. Jack, unwittingly, had become a mere stand-in, a surrogate for the man who had captured her heart.

The wedding, the wild night of passion that followed, the shared moments until dawn—she had believed it was all with Kai. Jack had been oblivious, caught in the whirlwind of her misguided affections before he even had a chance to understand what was truly happening. It was a revelation that washed over her like a wave, leaving her breathless in its wake.

As the weight of realization settles upon her, Claire is overwhelmed by remorse and guilt. She feels a pang of sorrow for unfairly accusing Jack of wrongdoing that day when, in truth, it was her own actions and misinterpretations that inadvertently entwined their lives together. The knowledge that Jack had been unwittingly drawn into her fantasy, innocently playing a role he never asked for, fills her with a deep sense of regret. She reflects on the moments she mistook for reality, seeing now the truth that had eluded her in her infatuation with Kai. It's a humbling realization, one that leaves her grappling with the consequences of her own actions and the impact they've had on Jack's life.

With the truth laid bare and her relationship with Kai officially at an end, Claire finds herself standing at a crossroads, uncertain of which path to take next. As she ponders her options, she contemplates the life she had envisioned with Kai and realizes that it was built on illusions and false promises. Now liberated from the shackles of that illusion, she is faced with the daunting task of redefining her future. With a newfound clarity, Claire begins to entertain the possibility of forging her own path, one untethered to the expectations and desires of others. She considers the farm she now co-owns with Jack, and the bond they share, and wonders if perhaps there is a chance for something more between them. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, one thing remains clear: Claire is determined to carve out a future that is authentic and true to herself, no matter where the journey may lead.

"Hey Claire. Can I ask you something?" says Popuri all of a sudden.

Claire nods, then Popuri asks, "Do you love Jack?"

Popuri's question catches Claire off guard, causing her heart to race and her cheeks to flush with embarrassment. She averts her gaze, unable to meet Popuri's eyes as she grapples with her conflicting emotions. In a hasty attempt to conceal her true feelings, she answers, "No, who could ever love that jerk?"

"Do you really mean that? Are you sure about that?" Popuri continues to prod as she slowly moves closer to Claire.

Claire grits her teeth in frustration, her patience wearing thin. "Yes! Now leave me alone, you're staring to piss me off!"

Popuri's voice drops to a whisper as she moves her face right next to Claire's ear. "Then I guess you don't mind if I stole him from you."

Claire's heart sinks as the realization hits her like a ton of bricks. She had always suspected that Popuri harbored feelings for Jack, but now it was undeniable. The revelation stings even more knowing that Popuri had been plotting to steal Jack away all along.

As she looks at Popuri's smiling face, she begins to understand that what Kai said about her may be the only honest thing he had said. Since the beginning, Popuri has been trying to seduce Jack, only to fall in love with him somewhere in the process. It's now clear that Popuri's feelings for Jack run quite deep, and with Kai out of their lives, Jack is now her only option for a relationship and possibly marriage. But with Jack already married to Claire, Popuri is now facing the last hurdle in her pursuit of him.

Popuri's declaration echoes through her mind, resonating with determination. Despite her own conflicting emotions toward Jack, she refuses to let Popuri win. The thought of losing Jack to Popuri ignites a fire within her, fueling her resolve to fight for what's hers. With a steely gaze, Claire confronts Popuri, her voice firm and steady. "You can't have him! We're already married, and we're stuck together forever. Even if we didn't mean to get married, we can't split up!" Her words carry a sense of finality, daring Popuri to challenge the bond between her and Jack.

"Aha!" exclaims Popuri, her voice ringing with triumph as she takes a step back. "You do love him!"

Claire's protest is immediate, her voice fraught with emotion. "I already told you that I don't!" she cries out, her frustration palpable. "I'm telling you that there's no point in fighting! We can't change the fact that we're married, so how do you plan to take him?"

With a serene smile, Popuri extends her hand toward Claire, her tone soft and gentle. "Lets settle this like women. We'll let Jack choose who he wants to be with," she suggests, her words brimming with confidence. "May the best girl win."

Claire meets Popuri's gaze with determination, recognizing her as a worthy opponent in this unexpected battle for Jack's affection. With a sense of resolve, Claire confidently extends her hand, accepting Popuri's challenge with a firm shake. The gesture symbolizes their agreement to a fair and peaceful competition, each vying for Jack's heart.

Despite the complexities of her relationship with Jack, Claire finds solace in the knowledge that she holds an advantage as his legal spouse. While doubts linger about what Popuri may know that Claire doesn't, she remains steadfast in her belief that Jack will ultimately choose her over anyone else. Claire then braces herself for the trials that lie ahead, prepared to fight for the man she holds dear.

Once Claire returns to the farm, she looks around and sees that Jack is not there. She then enters the quiet confines of the farmhouse, her steps heavy with the weight of her emotions. Leaning against the door, she finally allows herself to release the flood of tears that she had been holding back. Kai's betrayal cuts deep, his deception deeply affecting her after waiting so long for his return.

As the tears stream down her cheeks, Claire can't help but imagine Popuri doing the same thing. Throwing herself on her bed, upset after wasting her affection for a man who was hurting her for years. They had both put on a brave front in front of each other, but now they are alone, facing the pain that threatened to consume them.

With a heavy heart, Claire reaches up to touch the necklace that Kai had given her the year before. But instead of finding solace in its familiar weight, she feels nothing but anger and betrayal. In a moment of clarity, she rips the necklace from her neck, the sound of the rope snapping echoing through the silent room. It's a symbolic gesture, a promise to herself that she will no longer allow Kai to hold any power over her.

Claire's footsteps echo softly against the kitchen floor as she approaches the trash can, her movements deliberate yet tinged with a sense of urgency. With a gentle flick of her wrist, she releases the necklace into the depths of the trash, the sound of the shells hitting the bottom reverberating through the silence of the house. But as she turns away, her eye catches something glimmering amidst the discarded debris.

With a furrowed brow, Claire reaches into the trash can, her fingers grabbing a photograph. She plucks it from the depths of the trash can, her heart skipping a beat as she recognizes the familiar image captured within its frame. It's a picture she hasn't laid eyes on in what feels like an eternity, a snapshot frozen in time, preserving the moment Jack and Claire accidentally got married.

As she holds the photograph in her hands, Claire's thoughts whirl with a tumult of emotions. How did this photograph find its way into the trash? The trash can has been emptied countless times since the day of the wedding, so she wonders where was it all this time.

In her mind, Claire grapples with a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. She believes that Jack must have held onto the photograph, his sentimental nature perhaps unable to part with such a memento of their shared past. But the sudden appearance of the picture in the trash leaves her bewildered and unsettled. Why would Jack discard this now? The question gnaws at her, its answer shrouded in a veil of uncertainty and doubt. As she cradles the photograph in her hands, Claire is consumed by a desperate need to uncover the truth behind its inexplicable journey to the bottom of the trash.

Suddenly the front door swings open, startling Claire as she whirls around to face Jack's arrival, hastily concealing the photograph behind her back. Their eyes meet, an unspoken tension lingering in the air as they exchange uncertain glances.

Jack's puzzled expression prompts Claire to offer a strained smile, her nerves betraying her composure. "What are you doing?" Jack asks.

"Just... having a snack," she stammers, her voice faltering slightly. "Hungry, you know."

"You're back early, what happened?" Jack's question hangs in the air, laden with curiosity and perhaps a hint of concern.

Claire wrestles with her emotions, her attempt to mask her sadness evident in her strained expression. "Me and Kai broke up," she confesses, her voice tinged with resignation. "I had no idea what I was thinking. It would have never worked out anyway, you know, being away most of the year." There's a tremor in her voice, a vulnerability she can't quite conceal. She braces herself for Jack's response as she asks, "does that make you happy?"

Jack's nonchalant shrug does little to dispel the tension as he retrieves his wallet, his movements seemingly oblivious to Claire's unease. "Off to the supermarket for some Summer seeds," he announces, his casual tone failing to mask the underlying awkwardness.

"Sounds good," Claire responds, her words tinged with an undertone of apprehension.

Claire watches Jack leave, her heart pounding with the weight of the hidden photograph. As soon as the door clicks shut, she exhales a sigh of relief and retrieves the picture from behind her back. With trembling hands, she studies the photograph once more, her mind swirling with questions and uncertainties.

Feeling emotionally drained from the ordeal, Claire retreats to the bedroom, her steps heavy with the weight of recent events. She sinks onto the bed, the soft mattress offering a momentary respite from the turmoil within. With a heavy heart, she takes one last look at the photo before sliding it under her pillow, mirroring Jack's habit. After all, Jack is the only family she has in this town. As she closes her eyes, Claire's mind swirls with thoughts of the future. She knows that Popuri will now be pursuing Jack with full force, and she must be ready to fight for her family. All she can do now is hope that amidst the chaos, she can finally unravel her true feelings for Jack and discern the path she should take in their unconventional marriage. With that thought in mind, she drifts asleep, the weight of uncertainty still heavy on her mind as she rests her weary body and mind.