Chapter 24 She paid the compensation , covered the fines , and even apologized to the victims ' families . The officers , watching the legal wife handle everything so calmly , couldn't help feeling surprised . Clarinda caught on and explained without hesitation . " We're already divorced . The only thing missing is the paperwork . " One officer whistled in admiration . " An ex - wife who can do all this , rare indeed ." Clarinda didn't reply . She thought to herself , " It's fine . I'm being paid . " She was simply earning her money by fixing someone else's mess . It was Cecily who'd sent her here , and she was still waiting outside . Once Clarinda wrapped things up , she didn't bother speaking to Corbin again . She just walked out of the station . Chapter 24 Unlike the sunny morning , the sky had turned heavy and dark , though it was only just past three . A light rain was falling , the chill wind driving the damp straight through her clothes . Clarinda felt cold down to her bones . Corbin followed her out , calling after her . " Don't let Grandma and the others hear about today !" " Okay ! " Clarinda nodded , agreeing without hesitation . " I know . " With the Alden family's influence , this mess was easy to cover up . The only reason Corbin hadn't used his family's connections was that he didn't want them to find out . Once they dug deeper , they wouldn't spare the real culprit . He was shielding Adrienne . Clarinda understood that . Corbin's gaze never left her , and he asked with a faint smile , " Are you angry ? " " I'm not ." " Really not ? " Chapter 24 " Really not ." Corbin searched her face for signs . " Then come on , I'll drive you two home . " You two . He'd once promised Adrienne would move out . Clearly , he'd broken that promise . Clarinda was almost glad that ever since discovering his affair with Adrienne , she hadn't once thought of trusting him again . Trust , to her , had always been a luxury . She'd given it to Corbin once . There wouldn't be a second time . Corbin's gaze swept past Adrienne behind him , his voice calm . " No need , Cecily's waiting for me . " " Clarinda- " Sensing something was off , Corbin caught her wrist . " Wait !" Clarinda tried to pull free , but he didn't budge . Instead , he turned back to Adrienne . " Go wait in the car . " " Alright . Talk things through with Clara ." Chapter 24 Adrienne kept her composure , but her fists clenched tight . Before getting in the car , she shot Clarinda a sharp glare . Corbin's thumb brushed the inside of Clarinda's wrist . He hesitated , then said , " About the hospital last time , you injured Adrienne . She agreed not to press charges , to let it go . I also promised her we'd hold off on the moving situation . " " It was clearly just payback in kind , but now he was acting as though Adrienne were generous for not pursuing it . And as though he himself were reluctantly compromising for Clarinda's sake , forced by circumstance to let his lover stay on in their home . As if they were all paying the price for Clarinda's so - called impulsiveness and troublemaking . " What if I want to press charges ? " " What ? " " I was shoved down from that height , cracked my head open , bled all over , and I can't go to the police ? " Clarinda's gaze stayed steady on him . " If I had reported it that day , what would you have done ? You'd only have been thinking about how to clean up Adrienne's mess , right ? " Chapter 24 What she'd overheard on the hospital balcony still struck her as almost ridiculous . She had been that badly hurt , yet her husband's first instinct was to worry about another woman . A flicker of shock crossed Corbin's face . Clarinda caught it , unsurprised , her voice even as she laid it bare . " As long as you wanted to , even if she had called the cops , you'd have a hundred ways to shut it down . You'd make sure it amounted to nothing . The reason you agreed to let her keep living here wasn't because of me . It was because of you ." He wanted this . He was happy to share his roof and his days with his lover . So why force her to carry the blame ? At five foot four , Clarinda didn't quite measure up to him , but she stood her ground . Her voice was steady , almost detached , as she simply stated the truth . Corbin couldn't summon a single rebuttal . For a moment , he felt disoriented . The well - mannered woman he knew had suddenly turned sharp - tongued and unflinching . If it had been anyone else , he would have brushed it off . But Chapter 24 faced with Clarinda's clear , steady eyes , he couldn't bring himself to lie . The rain came down harder . Corbin walked to the car , pulled an umbrella from the trunk , and pressed it into her hand . " Give me some time . I'll take care of Adrienne ." L Clarinda knew exactly what she was asking . She only smiled faintly . " Can you really cut her off completely ? " Her relentless questioning sparked something in him , and Corbin's temper flared . He frowned and snapped coldly , " Clara , she's my sister - in - law , my nephew's mother . How could I possibly sever ties ? Not everyone grows up without family- " He stopped halfway . Without family what ? Clarinda's pale , slender fingers tightened around the umbrella . Her lashes , damp with rain , lifted slightly as her voice caught . " Not everyone's an orphan without blood ties , right ? " While Corbin stood in silence , Clarinda no longer cared for his answer . She bent down , set the umbrella by his feet , and walked toward Cecily's car . Chapter 24 Watching her slim figure retreat , Corbin felt a sudden panic , his anger dissipating in an instant . " When are you coming home ? " Clarinda paused , but didn't look back . " Later . The clinic's been too busy lately ." She had no intention of going back . After all , Corbin was always occupied . The days she'd been overseas , he hadn't even noticed she hadn't returned home once . 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.