Claire Harper was at the Carter family home.
Although she and Vivian Carter had never gotten along, the Harper and Carter families had a longstanding friendship, so Claire had visited the Carters many times in the past.
This was her first time stepping into their home since the Harper family's bankruptcy.
When Claire initially mentioned her marriage, her mother, Grace Harper, didn't believe her.
However, after learning that Claire had taken a few days off work, Grace became concerned and decided to visit Claire's rented apartment for a heart-to-heart conversation. Upon arriving, she was shocked to find the place empty—Claire had already moved out.
Claire was busy unpacking at Seaside Gardens when she received Grace's call.
When Grace asked where she was, Claire admitted she had moved into her new husband's home. The revelation left Grace reeling, her world spinning.
This wasn't the first time Claire had mentioned her marriage to Grace, but this time, it sounded real.
"Claire, what were you thinking?"
The thought of her daughter hastily marrying someone sent Grace into a panic.
Marriage was like a second chance at life for a woman. Grace understood this better than anyone and believed Claire did too.
Grace refrained from scolding Claire further over the phone. But two hours later, Claire received a call from Richard Carter.
"Uncle Richard," Claire greeted him.
"Come to the house. Your mother needs to see you."
This was the first time Richard had ever made such a firm request of Claire.
---
When Grace returned to the Carter home, she locked herself in her room.
Richard assumed she was ill, but she tearfully confided in him about Claire's impulsive marriage.
"Richard, I'm a terrible mother!"
Richard didn't know how to console her.
If Vivian had gone behind his back and married a stranger, his reaction would likely have been even stronger than Grace's.
Every parent worries about their child. But at the same time, only a parent can address their child's decisions. Since Richard and Grace weren't yet married, his position was awkward.
Seeing how upset Grace was, Richard decided to call Claire. And so, after years of avoiding the Carters, Claire once again stepped into their home.
Before she saw Grace, she first encountered Vivian Carter.
Leaning casually on the sofa, Vivian greeted her with mock curiosity. "So, Claire, I hear you married some guy in a hurry?"
This time, Claire didn't hold back. "Who I marry is none of your business. Or are you just eager to give me a wedding gift? Don't bother. That would mean I'd have to reciprocate when you get married, and I have no intention of attending your wedding."
Vivian straightened, her expression shifting from curiosity to anger.
"How dare you—"
"How dare I speak to you like this?" Claire interrupted. "Why wouldn't I? I've only tolerated your arrogance because I didn't want to jeopardize my mom's relationship with Uncle Richard. I hope they can be happy together, so I've chosen to step back. I also understand your concerns about my family's debts affecting the Carters, which is why I've signed new agreements with the creditors. I've done everything I could and have nothing to feel guilty about!"
Three years after the Harper family's bankruptcy, Claire had grown resilient through life's hardships. Meanwhile, Vivian was still a sheltered princess in her ivory tower.
Vivian believed Claire and Grace were scheming to gain access to the Carter family's wealth, which explained Claire's constant concessions. Little did she know that Claire had no interest in the Carters' money; her patience stemmed solely from her wish for Grace's happiness.
Now that Claire had done all she could for her mother's future, she saw no reason to endure further humiliation.
Vivian was left speechless by Claire's boldness.
For a moment, Vivian was reminded of the past, when Claire always had the upper hand in their confrontations.
When she recovered, Vivian's anger turned to delight, as if she had caught Claire in a lie. "So, your true colors are finally showing. You've been pretending all along, just so your mom could marry into our family! And now you're dropping the act because my dad hasn't married your mom yet?"
Claire looked at Vivian like she was a fool.
"I trust Uncle Richard's judgment."
If everything Claire had done wasn't enough to reassure Richard, then he wasn't the right match for Grace.
Vivian opened her mouth to retort, but Richard's voice came from upstairs. "Vivian, where are your manners?"
Claire glanced up to see Richard leaning on the second-floor railing, his expression unreadable.
Claire wasn't worried about Richard overhearing her conversation with Vivian. If anything, she preferred he heard her stance directly.
Richard scolded Vivian before turning to Claire, his tone much softer. "Vivian is spoiled. Don't mind her. Come upstairs. Your mother is in her room."
As Claire ascended the stairs, Vivian fumed.
Richard sent Claire to speak with Grace and took his sulking daughter into the study for a private conversation.
---
Claire knocked gently on the door.
"Come in," Grace said weakly.
When Claire entered, she found Grace wiping away tears.
"Mom—"
Claire sat beside Grace, leaning into her. "Don't be mad at me. I don't want you to be upset."
Grace wasn't angry—she was heartbroken.
Mother and daughter sat in silence for a long time. Finally, Grace asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you really married?"
Claire nodded softly.
Grace sighed. "Then you and Ethan are truly over."
Claire nodded again. "I know."
At this point, there was no point in scolding Claire for her impulsive decision. Nothing could change what had happened.
*If only the Harper family hadn't gone bankrupt,* Grace thought for the countless time.
She had always been aware of Ethan's mother's changing attitude after the bankruptcy but had pretended not to notice. Love was important in a marriage, but so was financial security. Ethan had been the best match Claire could realistically hope for.
If only Claire could have endured a little longer, she could have married into the Sterling family and secured a worry-free future.
But Claire couldn't endure.
Patrick Harper had always said daughters should be raised in wealth, and he had done just that. He had cultivated Claire's pride through years of privilege.
Grace loved her late husband dearly, but now, she wanted to curse him: *You left us too easily, and now Claire, with her unyielding spirit, will face endless hardships.*
Knowing there was no undoing what had been done, Grace composed herself and asked, "Tell me about him. What kind of person is he?"
She wanted to know more about Claire's new husband.
Hearing that Nathan was Claire's high school senior reassured Grace slightly—it meant there was some foundation to their relationship.
But learning about Nathan's job gave Grace mixed feelings.
Most mothers would be thrilled to have a son-in-law who was a senior engineer. But with Ethan Sterling as a comparison, Nathan's career seemed underwhelming.
When Claire mentioned that Nathan owned a property in Seaside Gardens, Grace could roughly estimate his financial standing.
Objectively speaking, Nathan was not an unremarkable match. His only flaw was his lack of family wealth.
Claire didn't mention the prenuptial agreement, and Grace didn't ask.
An engineer couldn't possibly help Claire repay her debts.
Claire's financial burdens would still fall on Grace to resolve.