Chapter 21 But somewhere along the way , things changed . Darlene pulled away and stopped calling her mom . Claudine brushed the hair from her forehead and kissed her gently . Maybe they were never meant to be that close . Then those servants left the room . Darlene slept fitfully , waking often in tears . She only closed her eyes again when she felt Claudine nearby . Claudine stayed up all night , making sure Darlene didn't scratch the welts . Around dawn , Darlene suddenly woke and threw up all over Claudine . After that , she slept soundly . Claudine cleaned up , then went to the bathroom to shower . She found an old set of pajamas in her size and slipped them on . After putting her dirty clothes into the washing machine , she went back to bed and fell asleep . Damian got home just before sunrise . A servant told him that Darlene had been sick all night . He went straight to her room without changing clothes . He didn't know Claudine was there . In the dark , he walked to the bed and leaned down to feel Darlene's forehead . The heat made him frown with worry . He switched on the bedside lamp and saw it was Claudine . She woke up and met his eyes in the dim light . For a moment , she just looked at him , dazed . Her eyes were glassy , her cheeks flushed . The silk pajamas clung to her curves , the neckline slipping low across her chest . Damian tugged at his tie , swallowed hard , then picked her up . Claudine reacted on instinct , looping her arms around Damian's neck . He was already heading for the door . After five years of marriage , she knew exactly what he was about to do . But now that they were getting divorced , it felt wrong , " Put me down , " she demanded . 0.0 % 03.51 Chapter 21 288 ( Vouchers Claudine pushed at his chest , but the fever had drained her strength . Her voice came out rough , and her push barely made a difference . In the blink of an eye , they reached the master bedroom . Damian lay her down on the bed she knew so well . She started to speak , but he was already leaning over her . " Damian , what are you doing ? " Claudine curled up , pulling her knees in , watching him in alarm . He frowned slightly and reached toward her . She tensed , ready to pull away , but his hand passed her , went straight to the nightstand , and came back with a ther- mometer . He tossed it onto the bed and straightened up . His voice was flat as ever . " What did you think I was gonna do ? " Damian looked her over , full of mockery . Of course , he'd never lose control over her . Deep down , Claudine laughed at herself . She could have stripped in front of him , and he wouldn't have looked twice . She set the thermometer aside and started to sit up . He stopped undoing his cufflinks and grabbed her wrist without thinking . " Where are you going now ? " he asked , frowning again . He pulled her closer , and she smelled a trace of perfume she'd noticed before . Claudine snapped fully awake . She'd spent the night nursing Darlene through a fever while Damian had been out with someone else . She tugged her robe tighter and pushed his hand away . " I'm going to check on Darla . " " You're burning up . Just lie down . I'll go , " Damian said . He started toward the door , then stopped halfway , remembering she'd followed him yesterday . He turned back , eyes sharp . " If you give a damn about Darla , drop the drama . " Claudine looked up and caught that familiar contempt in his eyes . Her heart sank , but anger rose in her . " What do you mean ? " 45.4 % 03:51 Chapter 21 Damian gave her a once - over . " You disappear for days , then show up in this dress , using Darla's fever as an excuse . " You want me , Claudine . I get it . " I'm sorry you got sick . But come on , give it a rest . " His words hit hard . Apparently , he thought she was just trying to seduce him . 92.2 %