Just as Clara was about to kneel, Ethan grabbed her wrist.
His voice was low and edged with suppressed anger.
“Clara, what the hell are you doing?”
Clara sounded calm, almost casual.
“Apologizing.
Otherwise, you’d be pissed, Fiona would be pissed, and who knows what mess I’d have to deal with next.”
“That’s enough!” Ethan snapped.
He yanked Clara to her feet, practically lifting her up.
In the end, she didn’t kneel.
“Go wait outside,” Ethan said coldly to her.
Clara gave a soft “Sure,” then added lightly, “Just remember, you’re the one who stopped me.
Don’t come blaming me later, alright?”
Her tone was flat, uninterested.
She turned and headed out the door without a fuss.
Yeah, she was never really planning to kneel.
And even if she did, she wouldn’t be doing it alone.
After all, she’s pregnant.
Still, Ethan stopping her was unexpected.
Clara had thought he’d let her make a fool of herself for Fiona’s sake.
Ha.
Fiona’s eyes had been locked on Clara’s back the whole time.
Frustration churned in her chest.
Clara looked way too composed—like she’d come out on top.
Even with control in her own hands, Fiona felt like she’d been played by Clara.
That thought alone made Fiona burn with anger.
Then she turned to Ethan.
“Ethan… are you feeling sorry for her?
She came here to apologize, and you feel bad now?”
Her tone grew sharp, needing reassurance from him.
“No,” Ethan said softly, almost coaxingly.
He pulled Fiona into his arms with a smooth gesture.
“Stop overthinking.
Clara’s pregnant.”
His voice was calm, but there was a warning beneath it.
Fiona wasn’t stupid.
She caught it.
“So, being pregnant makes it okay to get away with everything?” Her eyes were glassy, voice tight.
Ethan kept his tone patient.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Fiona clutched his shirt, looking up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears.
“Ethan, you promised me once… You said you’d never let her get pregnant.”
“Fiona, accidents happen.
We’re human,” he said, brushing it all off like it was nothing.
“You—” she started, ready to lash out.
But she didn’t.
Like the words got caught in her throat.
Ethan had already stepped back a bit, still close, but suddenly, the air between them felt different.
It made Fiona’s heart race with unease.
She came.
That’s the end of it,” Ethan said calmly.
But his voice carried a finality that left no room for argument.
“You know very well Clara can’t be under any stress right now.
Don’t push it,” he added, each word carefully measured.
Then his gaze locked onto Fiona’s, and something in his eyes made her flinch.
There was guilt bubbling inside her.
Her lips parted, but before she could get anything out, Ethan spoke again, slowly.
“I know exactly what kind of person Clara is.
Even under pressure, she wouldn’t do something reckless.”
And that was that.
He didn’t say another word.
Fiona, already feeling cornered, was now fuming.
“So you think I made it all up?” she asked.”Fiona.” Ethan’s voice dropped, low and firm.
“That’s enough.
Let it go.”
Fiona visibly flinched.
Then, out of nowhere, she laughed.
It wasn’t a happy kind of laugh—more like she was falling apart.
She looked straight at Ethan for a long moment before snapping, “Get out.
I don’t ever wanna see you again!”
She was clearly worked up—so much that the machines around her started beeping erratically.
The nurses, catching on to her agitation, scrambled into action.
Ethan calmly gave a few instructions, then turned to leave.
Hanging around would only make things worse for Fiona.
Besides, Clara was still waiting outside.
After a brief pause, he stepped out of the room quickly.
Just as he pulled the door shut, there was a loud crash from inside.
…
Clara was sitting alone on a bench in the hallway.
When she saw Ethan come out, she lifted her eyes to him for a beat, then shifted her gaze behind him.
Ethan frowned.
His expression darkened—he hated that this woman never seemed to care enough to focus on him.
Clara gave a subtle, tight-lipped smile.
There was something oddly amused in her eyes.
She already knew Fiona’s fiancé had arrived.
The nurses had been whispering about it like it was the biggest drama in town.
And now, Fiona had even come out herself—clearly waiting for someone.
Fiona wouldn’t do this for just anyone.
Yeah—clearly putting on a show, huh?
Probably for Ethan’s eyes only.
Clara quickly composed herself and turned her gaze back to Ethan.
“Honey.”
Her tone was sweet and fluffy, soft like cotton candy.
Ethan didn’t answer, just walked toward her with a calm face.
Clara naturally slipped her arm through his as he passed.
Then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
Clara let out a soft laugh. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“That’s Mr.
Madison—Fiona’s fiancé.”
She tilted her head up at Ethan, eyes smiling.
“Babe, don’t you think today’s just full of surprises?”
Ethan said nothing, his sharp eyes locking on Isaac.
The two men locked eyes across the hallway.
Then came a sweet, clear voice from behind them.
“Hey, you made it.”
“Babe, the moment I heard you were hurt, I came running.” Isaac practically rushed over to Fiona.
He pulled her into his arms, fussing over her with concern.
Isaac, crown prince of Europe’s biggest luxury conglomerate, was as rich as they came.
Not to mention tall, gorgeous and every socialite’s dream.
But of all people, he chose Fiona.
With his backing, Fiona’s career in fashion had shot through the roof.
No one could touch her now.
“I’m fine,” Fiona leaned into him, voice soft with a hint of playfulness.
Isaac dipped down to plant a kiss on her.
Normally, Fiona would just let it happen.
She never made the first move.
But today?
She actually rose up on her toes and kissed him back—boldly.
Isaac looked surprised, but clearly very pleased.
Soon, their kiss had gone from sweet to full-blown PDA.
Ethan watched the whole thing with a blank face.
Clara gave him a quick side glance.
She didn’t miss it—the flicker in his eyes, that rare shift in his expression.
Oh?
So Mr.
Blackwood might actually be…
jealous?
Well, well.
Clara couldn’t help but wonder—with everything he’s done to trigger Fiona—what would happen if she really went ahead and tied the knot?
Would Ethan just sit back with his pride?
Or maybe…
crash the wedding?
Now, that would be quite the scene.
While Clara’s imagination ran wild picturing all kinds of chaos, Ethan suddenly looked down at her.
“Let’s go,” he said coolly.
Clara nodded, but then dared to ask, “So…
you’re really not jealous at all, Mr.
Blackwood?”
Ethan’s eyes locked fully onto her at last.
Dark, steady.
Calm on the surface—but something dangerous lurked just beneath.