ir Gifts
Her Night Dance
Chapter 24
1/5
From the start, my goal had been clear, to make the people who ruined my parents taste the bitterness of public scorn.
Years had passed since the Aetherion scandal. Few remembered the details anymore.
If I had released the evidence outright, it might’ve been buried
before gaining traction.
But Ethan had handed me the perfect opportunity, dragging the
case back into the spotlight in an attempt to break me.
He’d laid the groundwork, thinking he could snuff out my hope in
one final move.
Instead, I turned his plan against him, striking at the peak of
attention.
Thanks to Julian’s efficiency, the wedding didn’t falter despite the
chaos.
Ethan and Amber were escorted out by security and quickly
swarmed by reporters outside.
Standing amidst a sea of microphones, Ethan looked dazed, his voice shaking as he finally spoke, “So… there’s really no way back
anymore?”
Chapter 24
In less than a month, justice was served.
Those responsible for the Aetherion tragedy were arrested. Ethan’s family was hit hardest, their company collapsing into bankruptcy.
2/5
His parents were sent to prison, where they would spend the rest of their days.
Public sentiment shifted. People began mourning my parents, dredging up stories of their kindness and accomplishments.
When a grassroots memorial was organized in their ‘
, Julian
and I finally gave them a proper reburial, surrounded by love and
respect.
As we prepared to leave the cemetery, someone threw
themselves onto the hood of our car.
It was Ethan.
In the month since I’d last seen him, he’d become nearly
unrecognizable.
His scruffy beard, hollowed eyes, pale complexion, and unkempt hair made him look like a shadow of his former self.
Ethan had always been meticulous about his appearance.
Even during our toughest days together, he’d never let himself go like this.
Chapter 24
He pounded on the hood of the car, begging. “Clara, get out. I need to talk to you.”
Julian turned to me. “Do you want to hear him out?”
I shook my head and lowered the window. “Say it from there.”
3/5
Ethan hesitated for a few seconds before moving to my side of the
car.
“Clara, I was wrong,” he stammered. “I’ve made so many
mistakes. You know I’ve always loved you. I just… I wasn’t thinking straight. Please, Clara, give me another chance-”
“Ethan Ward,” I cut him off coldly. “Just answer me one question. Did you know what your parents were doing?”
His face twisted, and he rushed to deny it. “How could I? I left home with you—”
I sighed.
“What a liar… You’ve been living off your parents‘ money all these years. Even your startup capital came from them. You knew exactly what they’d done. So tell me, Ethan, did you stay with me
out of guilt, or to keep me under control? Either way, it was never love. So stop pretending.”
Without hesitation, I rolled up the window. Julian floored the gas
pedal, and the car surged forward.
Chapter 24
Ethan stumbled back, falling to the ground.
4/5
“Where’s his precious lover?” Julian asked, amused. “Didn’t she
swear to stay by his side?”
I chuckled. “Long gone. Amber Vaughn never cared for him. But
they deserve each other. Anyway, she’s moved on to another
married man. I just sent the guy’s wife the proof yesterday.
Shouldn’t be long before the fireworks start.”
I was not the kind of person anyone would call kind—any
patience I showed back then was nothing more than a facade for
my own insecurity.
“I love that you’re ruthless,” Julian said, resting a hand on my leg.
I swatted it away. “Focus on the road. I want sour fish stew
tonight.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
In the rearview mirror, I saw Ethan chasing the car for a few steps
before falling behind.
By the time I turned back, he was a distant blur–so far away that I
couldn’t even picture his face anymore.
Instead, when I looked at Julian beside me, his image filled my
mind completely
Taking out my phone, I snapped a picture of him as he drove, his
Chapter 24
profile calm and sharp.
I posted it on Instagram with a simple caption. Clara: [Moving
forward.]
The End
