Clara’s expression turned instantly cold.

This man was a specialized mood-killer.

As footsteps approached, Arthur marched to the doorway of the walk-in closet. Seeing the vast emptiness inside, the interrogation he had prepared died in his throat.

Instead, he let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Fine, fine. A new trick, I see. Was leaving the hospital today without telling me another intentional move? Trying to make me feel guilty?"

"Now you’ve cleared out the house—planning to run away? Are you a three-year-old? When someone gives you a way out, you should learn to take it. Can you stop being so incredibly childish?"

Clara hadn't even said a word before being hit with a barrage of insults.

She stared at Arthur in silence, then asked calmly, "Are you finished?"

Those three words effectively silenced him.

He stared at Clara in disbelief, suddenly realizing that she had changed—a lot.

Even when she had seen Mia at the hospital, she hadn’t said a word, and she hadn't asked a single question since.

In the past, if she saw him interacting with any woman, Clara would always show concern.

She had once had a screaming match with him over Mia. Why was she so calm now...?

No, this had to be another one of her "playing the martyr" schemes!

Disgust flickered in Arthur’s eyes. "Clara, you’ve changed," he said to himself. "You used to be a bit annoying, but at least you had your charming moments. Now, there’s nothing left."

Clara continued to stare at him flatly. "By 'charming,' do you mean my limitless tolerance for your infidelities?"

"So you

are

still angry! It’s been over a week—how long are you going to keep up this temper?"

As if he had finally caught her in a lie, Arthur regained his arrogant confidence.

This time, Clara didn't reply. She lowered her head and went back to organizing her design sketches.

Thinking he had hit a nerve and regained control over her, Arthur snorted. "Fine, talk to me when you’re done being angry. I won’t be coming home for the next few days."

He was true to his word; he didn't return for an entire week.

Clara enjoyed the peace, slowly clearing out everything that needed to go.

By the day of the Lantern Festival, the once-crowded house contained nothing but a single sofa and a hanging chair.

Coincidentally, both were the exact same models Mia had posted on her social media.

Since her phone broke, Clara hadn't bought a new one. She planned to push through these last two weeks before embracing a completely new beginning.

She took a pile of small items she had packed to a charity sale. To avoid running into anyone she knew, she specifically chose a park two districts away.

Just as business was picking up, she spotted three familiar figures approaching from a distance.

Mia feigned surprise. "Clara! What are you doing here? What are you selling?"

Arthur’s brow was furrowed, assuming Clara was up to another one of her "stunts," but when he saw the items on the stall, his pupils contracted sharply. "Clara, these are

our

things. You’re selling them?"

Leo recognized a few items too and lunged forward to grab them. "That’s my car model!"

Before he could touch it, Clara pinned his hand down, smiling thinly. "Let’s correct one thing: this isn't

your

car model. This is a car model

I

bought."

"This is a commemorative kaleidoscope

I

bought. This is a diamond-encrusted frame

I

bought..."

She listed them off one by one, then looked at Arthur, her voice softening. "And these were all things you both looked down on, calling my taste 'tacky.' What’s wrong with me doing a bit of charity work with them?"

Arthur felt as if he were looking at a stranger.

He spotted a larger frame and shuddered. "That was for our wedding photo. Where is the photo?"

Clara followed his gaze, intentionally looking puzzled. "Was there one? Wasn't this always empty?"

"Clara! Don't push it!"

Seeing Arthur’s attention entirely focused on Clara, Mia grew resentful. She leaned in and pointedly took Arthur’s arm, saying to Clara, "Clara, don’t misunderstand. Arthur just doesn't want the marriage to fall apart."

It was impressive how a mistress could be so self-righteous.

Clara almost had to admire the thickness of Mia’s skin.

"A man who doesn't want his marriage to fall apart wouldn't allow another woman to cling to his arm in front of his wife."

As the words left her lips, Arthur acted as if he had been burned, quickly shaking off Mia’s hand.

Clara began packing her things at lightning speed, casting a look of pure disgust at the pair. "Thanks to you two, you’ve ruined my business. You two go back to your romantic stroll; I’m moving to a new spot."