Chapter 12 Before she could even change her shoes , Corbin strode in , his presence sharp and intense . Yet as he stopped before her , that edge softened into something gentler . The emotions behind his eyes remained unreadable . " You're back ," she said softly , as always , taking half a step back . " Have you eaten ? Sarah made dinner ... " " Clarinda ," he cut her off , carefully choosing his words , his tone inscrutable . " About the news ... It's not what you think . I can explain ." " Alright ." She nodded without hesitation and said calmly , " I believe you . " Corbin was taken aback . He had always known how docile Clarinda could be , but this time , he had pictured a lot of possibilities . Before he came back , his friends had said he was done for . Chapter 12 No matter how good - tempered a woman was , she'd never tolerate betrayal . But Clarinda appeared utterly composed . There were no tears , no accusations . Something didn't feel right . A peculiar unease stirred inside him . Her " I believe you , " delivered with such detached calm , left him more unsettled than any outburst would have . He frowned . Just then , an idea struck him - she didn't care . Clarinda didn't care whether he had an affair or not . She didn't care if he had kissed another woman . As usual , her face showed little emotion . She simply picked up a jacket and said , " I'm going to the hospital to visit Madam Alden . " " Clara ... " Corbin couldn't shake the feeling that something was slipping through his fingers . Chapter 12 Almost instinctively , he caught Clarinda's slender wrist and probed tentatively , " You're not upset at all ? " Clarinda was slightly stunned . She had never realized how difficult it was to be Corbin's wife . She thought her indifference would come as a relief to him . But he wasn't satisfied at all . He wanted her to be upset . Corbin held his breath , waiting for her answer . She merely shot him a glance and then said slowly , " If I were upset , would you stop seeing Adrienne for good ? " His expression tightened almost imperceptibly . But he insisted , " Clara , believe me - there's nothing between Adrienne and me . " I'll have her move out after my birthday ! " " And you ? " Clarinda asked . He frowned , a hint of helplessness in his voice . " What are you thinking ? I'll still live here , of course ." Then his tone grew more deliberate , as if underscoring a point . Chapter 12 " Clarinda , I'm your husband . " " Corby , " she said with a faint smile , " I was asking where your heart will go ." While he still stood frozen , she gently freed her wrist from his grasp , turned , and drove away . When she arrived at the hospital , Stacey was already asleep . With nowhere else to go , she wandered the streets aimlessly behind the wheel . She was like a homeless person . No , wait . That wasn't accurate . She had never really had a home to begin with . It was nearly midnight when Clarinda returned . The entire villa was quiet , the only light still glowing softly at the entryway - left on , she knew , by Sarah . As she passed the slightly ajar door of the second - floor study , a sliver of light and the sound of hushed , tense voices spilled into the hallway . Chapter 12 They were mingled with Adrienne's crying . Clarinda looked away as though she had noticed nothing and continued to her room , where she drew a warm bath . Later , as she sat on the edge of the bed , drying her hair , the mattress suddenly dipped behind her . A large hand took the hairdryer from hers . She was instantly at a loss . 1 In the eyes of others , she and Corbin were the perfect couple . They had always been so harmonious , never once seen arguing . But no one knew the truth - they had never been intimate . Corbin had always maintained his distance . She had been foolish back then , unable to tell the difference between him being genuinely busy and him intentionally avoiding her . She had believed he was simply occupied - too busy for his new bride , spending night after night alone in the study . Yet now , his fingers moved gently through her hair as he carefully blow - dried it . Chapter 12 Flustered , she stood up , avoided his touch , and turned around to look at him , almost blurting out , " Do you have anything to say to me ? " Her bluntness wasn't without cause . Corbin wasn't acting like himself . " Clara ... Corbin turned off the hairdryer . After a brief hesitation , he finally spoke with resolve . " I need you to help clarify the news online ." Clarinda felt utterly stifled . But she couldn't afford to lose her temper . She wanted a divorce , but having a fallout with Corbin wasn't an option . Picking at the pad of her thumb , she met Corbin's gaze . " How ? The photo's out there . " Corbin seemed a bit weary - Adrienne had probably been throwing a tantrum for a long time . " But Adri's face isn't visible in the photo ." A sharp tightness gripped Clarinda's chest , her voice bitter . " So , Chapter 12 you're asking me to lie ? To tell everyone that was me in the photo ? " She posed the question plainly and straightforwardly . In fact , she had never expected Corbin to make such an absurd demand . She had assumed he would simply ask her to dismiss it as a misunderstanding , to say the woman was just a friend of his . Pursing his lips , Corbin spoke with cold rationality , " I can't think of a better way . Doing this will calm public opinion quickly . It does more good than harm - for the Alden Group , and for everyone . " Everyone ? Clarinda's fingers tightened unconsciously around the blanket . He meant Adrienne , of course . True to form , he protected Adrienne from everything at all times . As for her , she remained the expendable pawn , ready to be discarded without a second thought . scarded She forced a smile - it wasn't pretty , strained even . Chapter 12 Since Corbin had made a request , he didn't mean for her to choose . " OK . " 4 Chapter 13 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.