Chapter 4 - THE HARDENED RESOLVE
Clara did not flinch, nor did she shed a single tear of weakness under her husband's harsh assault.
The initial shock in her dark eyes slowly dissolved, replaced by a cold, terrifyingly calm resolve.
She gently adjusted the striped blanket around the sleeping infant, shielding her child from the toxic atmosphere.
Slowly, deliberately, Clara reached out her right hand toward the rolling plastic tray table beside the bed.
Her fingers closed around her sleek smartphone, lifting the device with steady, unyielding precision.
Mark watched her movement with a sneer, misinterpreting her calm demeanor as guilt or resignation.
"Go ahead and call whoever you want," Mark scoffed bitterly. "The truth is going to come out anyway."
Clara ignored his taunt entirely, her eyes locking onto his with a deadpan stare that sent a sudden shorline shiver down his spine.
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"Fine," Clara whispered, the single word carrying the weight of an impending avalanche.
She tapped her screen, bringing up a private encrypted speed-dial number reserved for her inner circle.
