Just when Claire and Shirley thought they'd stumbled upon some juicy gossip, things escalated from dramatic to downright unbelievable.
"Baby, I don't care that you're heavy. The real problem is your parents-they'll never accept me. I honestly don't know what to do anymore." Otto, without a hint of self- consciousness, slid over to sit right next to the larger man.
The man simply leaned his head on Otto's shoulder, looking for all the world like he'd found his safe harbor.
Claire stared in disbelief, feeling her stomach do a slow, nauseated roll. Shirley looked much the same: both of them were ready to bolt out of the place.
In unspoken consensus, they had only one thought—what a mess.
It wasn't even about how unconventional the relationship was; it was just painfully awkward to witness. And as they mulled it over, a suspicion crept in: could this down-on-their-luck, nearly bankrupt family actually be the Jameses?
If it was, then this was truly a disaster. Forcing their own son, who'd once been perfectly fine, into such a state-gaining so much weight just to escape an arranged marriage? Really? Was finding true love forbidden in the James household? Was staying single some kind of crime against humanity?
Listening to the two next door pour their hearts out, Claire felt her stomach turn. If she took another bite, she might not be able to keep it down.
She caught Shirley's eye, and they wordlessly agreed: time to get out before things got even more uncomfortable.
The tension in the air was so thick, they barely dared to breathe as they slipped from their seats and hustled out the restaurant door. Only when they reached the street did Shirley finally let out the breath she'd been holding, pressing a hand to her chest.
"Oh my God, that was nauseating. I swear I'm not judging—it's just, they were so clingy! Completely shattered any illusions I ever had about romance," she groaned. Claire tried to laugh it off. "Well, when Mr. Clark's son looks like that, it's no wonder Mrs. Clark is desperate to use 'bank loans' as bait to snag the perfect daughter-in- law."
The whole thing made sense now. The Clarks probably knew all about their son's... unique preferences, and had been quietly searching their social circle for someone clueless—or desperate enough to take the bait.
Who in their right mind would willingly marry off their precious daughter just to cover for a two-hundred-pound man hiding in the closet?
Octavia coming forward at just the right time was a godsend for Mrs. Clark.
And whether Octavia agreed or not, Mrs. Clark stood to lose nothing at all. It was obvious she planned to trick some poor girl into a sham marriage with her son—and, let's be honest, that was beyond despicable.
"No, I can't let this go. I have to tell my mom about it and get her to investigate make sure that guy really is Mr. Clark's son. And if he is, then the Clarks really are running a marriage scam. I'll tell everyone so no one else falls victim to tats!" Shirley declared, fired up with righteous indignation.
Claire hesitated, an uneasy look crossing her face.
"You don't agree?" Shirley asked, clearly annoyed that Claire didn't seem as outraged.
"It's not that," Claire said gently. "But have you ever stopped to think—if I refuse, the only daughter the James family could offer to the Clarks is you? What if they try to push you and Mr. Clark's son together?"
She gave Shirley a worried look. As much as Shirley wanted to stand up for others, did she realize she could easily become the next target?
Shirley's face went pale in a flash.
"You mean..." Her voice faltered, as
...Her
the truth started to dawn. "No way. With their son like that-and, I mean, he's gay! How could his mother have the nerve to ruin someone else daughter? My parents would never allow it." sŵnovels
Shirley stood by her parents' love, vanity or not; there was no way they'd throw her under the bus.
Claire had to agree. If Patti didn't really love her, how could Shirley have gone toe- to-toe with Pearce all these years and still come out okay?
"As long as your parents have your
back, that's all that matters. I just
worry Latham and Octavia might come up with something desperate *
Claire warned. "But then again. sometimes, things get out of hand. You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Claire took comfort in knowing Patti would protect her daughter if it came to it.
Meanwhile, back at his house after escorting Claire out, Latham was still brimming with fury.