Luana recounted to Clarissa how Travis had threatened her.
"No wonder Travis brought so many people to the wedding. He was using me to threaten you," Clarissa said, her face filled with self-reproach.
[$]
"Luana, you're so foolish. You shouldn't have risked yourself for me."
She gently touched Luana's face, which had become gaunt from worry.
Luana had always been beautiful. It seemed that creeps like Travis were always drawn to her.
In the past, whenever she was bullied or stalked, she would tell Clarissa and Albion.
But this time, facing such danger, she had chosen to bear it alone.
She must have wanted to protect Clarissa.
Clarissa's eyes were filled with heartache. "Luana, if anything like this happens again, you have to tell me."
Although she might not be able to take on those wealthy and powerful men, she could fight tooth and nail to protect Luana.
If any of those shameless men dared to harm Luana again, Clarissa would fight them with everything she had.
Luana patted Clarissa's trembling hand and comforted her. "It's all over now. The Elan family has fallen, Travis is still unconscious, and as for Mr. Night, I think he helped me get rid of Travis. Maybe he really does have a crush on me, which is why he acted that way..."
Clarissa was still worried. "Luana, someone who won't even show their true face isn't that simple. Next time he invites you, just agree. Albert and I will go with you and expose him!"
Luana wanted to mention that she still had a hold over Mr. Night, but then she thought that if they exposed him and found out who he was, it would be like having leverage over him too. With both of them holding something over each other, she wouldn't have to live under his threats anymore.
Luana nodded. "Okay."
She had been lying to her best friend, the one she relied on. She felt very guilty.
Now that she had told Clarissa everything, that guilt had lessened a bit.
The only thing she still kept from Clarissa was her illness.
She hadn't figured out how to break the news without causing Clarissa too much pain, so she held back.
Clarissa was still upset about Luana being hurt by a stranger.
All the way home, she muttered about bringing some tools the next time she saw Mr. Night.
If he dared to harm Luana, she would smash his head open.
When Clarissa said this, she gritted her teeth and gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Luana, worried that she might break the steering wheel, nodded in agreement while reminding her to drive safely.
They chatted all the way to the supermarket, bought a bunch of food, and then drove back home.
When they got home and went into the kitchen to start dinner, Albert arrived.
He greeted Luana and then rolled up his sleeves, taking the knife from Clarissa.
"You two go watch some TV in the living room. Leave this to me," he said.
His thoughtful gesture made Clarissa smile sweetly.
"Your cooking is indeed better than ours. We're counting on you for tonight's meal," she said, patting his shoulder before leading Luana to the living room.
[$]
As soon as they turned on the TV, the news about the Moriarty family's business alliance with the Ortega family was playing on repeat.
Clarissa's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Cline with a woman who looked a bit like Luana.
"Luana, that woman..."
She suddenly seemed to understand something and closed her mouth.
No wonder Cline had forced Luana to sign that agreement. He had been using her as a substitute.
It turned out that Luana wasn't just abandoned by Cline but also used.
After five years of dedication, this was the result.
Clarissa looked at Luana, who seemed calm and unsurprised, as if she had known all along. Clarissa felt even more distressed.
"Luana, don't be sad," Clarissa said, reaching out to touch Luana's hair, unsure of what to say to comfort her.
[$]
Luana had long come to terms with being a substitute. She smiled at Clarissa.
"I'm not upset anymore. Why do you look so worried?"
"I feel bad for you," Clarissa said.
Luana sighed, both to comfort Clarissa and herself. "Although he used me as a substitute for Miss Ortega, he treated me well these past few years. And I was able to move on from Albion thanks to him. Let's just say I used him to distract myself..."
Hearing this, Clarissa felt a little better. "So, I guess we should thank him," she said with a hint of sarcasm.
Luana laughed. "No need to thank him," she replied.
Clarissa playfully tapped her head. "Still laughing. He hurt you so much, and you don't even fight back."
Luana smiled. "I did fight back."
She had made him angry several times when he came to see her. That was her way of fighting back.
Seeing Luana pretending to be carefree, Clarissa felt even more upset.
"Luana, you will definitely meet someone better in the future," she said, trying to cheer her up.