Chapter 2

Whether it was Clara or that other guy, they could do whatever the hell they wanted.

I finally didn't have to stress over buying a house.

I finally didn't have to sit through soul-crushing corporate dinners.

I was finally free to go wherever I wanted.

Back when I was hoarding every cent, I didn't dare go anywhere.

My buddies invited me on a road trip to the Rockies, and I passed because of weekend overtime.

The company planned a retreat to Cabo, and I skipped that too, terrified of falling behind on my deadlines.

I kept pushing everything back. Everything had to wait until after we bought the house.

Now, the wait was over.

Once that settlement hit my account, I could go wherever my feet took me.

Catch the snow-capped peaks in the mountains.

Go deep-sea fishing off the coast.

Rent a quiet cabin in the woods and bask in the sun all afternoon.

Just me.

Doing whatever the hell I pleased.

That thought instantly took the edge off the pain.

Over a million bucks was plenty for a fresh start, plenty to do something I actually cared about.

A million times better than wasting the rest of my life on a woman who didn't love me.

I took a deep breath, tucked the blanket tighter around me.

Time to sleep.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

When I opened my eyes, morning light was already spilling into the room.

I grabbed my phone to check the time.

8:12 AM.

Three unread messages.

One was an automated alert from the bank confirming my mortgage payoff. I had sent in the final lump-sum payment just last night.

The other two were from Clara.

"I'm dropping by this morning."

"Need to pack a few things."

I stared at the screen for a couple of seconds, then tossed the phone aside.

The front door clicked open.

I saw Clara standing by the entryway.

She caught sight of me and froze for a second.

Her expression looked strained.

"You're up."

I didn't answer. I just leaned against the arm of the sofa, coffee mug in hand, watching her.

Unnerved by my gaze, she looked down, slipped off her sneakers, and stepped inside.

"I just came to grab some stuff."

She cleared her throat, lingering awkwardly in the middle of the living room as if she didn't know where to put her feet.

"Go ahead."

Clara looked at me, her eyes clouded with an unreadable mix of emotions.

Guilt.

Unease.

Relief.

A complete mess.

"Ethan."

She said my name.

"About last night..."

"Do you have a lot to pack?"

I cut her off.

I had zero interest in hearing her excuses.

What was done was done. What was the point of explaining?

She blinked, visibly caught off guard by how calm I was.

"Not much. Just some clothes and files from the study."

She paused, then added, "I'll come back one more time tonight to grab the rest. After that, I won't bother you again."

"Okay."

I took a sip of my coffee.

"What we talked about last night... are you sure about it?"

She looked directly into my eyes.

"About what?"

I played dumb.

"Me walking away with nothing."

She forced the words out, looking like it took every ounce of strength she had left.

"Why, having second thoughts?"

I tilted my head, offering a faint, mocking smile.

"No."

She shook her head.

"I keep my word. Everything in my name—the East End condo, this apartment, the car, my shares in the design studio—all of it goes to you. I'm having my lawyer draft the agreement this morning. I'll send it over this afternoon."

She said it so cleanly.

For that man, she was really willing to throw away everything.

"Sounds good."

I nodded.

"Aren't you going to ask why?"

Clara suddenly blurted out.

"Ask what?"

"Ask how this happened between me and him."

"Not interested."

I set the coffee mug on the coffee table, walked over to the sofa, and sat down.

"Whatever you two did is none of my business."

"Ethan."

She said my name again, this time with a strange undertone I couldn't quite place.

"I know you hate me."

"I don't hate you."