Love Deceptions and Rebirth Novel – Chapter 4
I said it lightly, teasingly—daring him to lose control.
Before he could react, I hung up, blocked him.
Furious and helpless, Ethan stared at his blank screen, his face turning pale as he slammed his fist on the table.
“Hotel with an older man? Miss Claire, so bold. Does Mr. Harper know?”
After I hung up, Nathan chuckled.
Caught up in my own venting, I’d forgotten Nathan was still there. I stiffened, embarrassed.
“I was just—”
Before I could explain it was just to provoke Ethan, Nathan cut in, smiling.
“Speaking of which, I am six or seven years older. If you’re looking for an older man… why not consider me?”
Next morning, I woke to dozens of missed calls—every one from Ethan.
Seeing I didn’t answer, he sent messages:
“Claire, come home tonight, and I’ll forgive you. Don’t make me mad.”
“If you don’t, we’re done. Don’t blame me for being cold!”
“I told Chloe we’re just friends. We’ve been together so long, and you still don’t trust me?”
Reading them, I thought he was unhinged, blocked him, and went to work.
At noon, leaving the office, Chloe spotted me, eyes lighting up, approaching.
“Claire, don’t be mad at Ethan. He knows he messed up. Look, he’s over there, drove to pick you up.”
I followed her gaze. Ethan was leaning against his car, staring coldly at us, not moving a muscle—as if he knew I’d come running to him.
“Miss Chloe,” I said coolly, “why assume I’ll forgive Ethan? Don’t you think I’m beneath him? You love him—be with him. Why pretend to disgust me?”
Chloe hadn’t expected me to call out her feelings. She paled.
“Claire, you’ve misunderstood—”
Her weak attempt at innocence annoyed me. I pushed past her to leave.
But Chloe, unsteady on her feet, stumbled and fell to the ground.
Her eyes instantly welled up, pitiful and fragile-looking.
Ethan, seeing her fall, rushed over and shoved me hard,
“Claire, what are you doing? Can’t we talk it out? You had to push Chloe?”
He helped her up, yelling, his face dark with anger.
His shove sent me stumbling backward onto the pavement.
Fury surged through me. I stood, marched straight back, and slapped him—hard.
I didn’t spare Chloe either. I backhanded her too.
Their faces flushed red with the sting of my palm.
“Ethan, Chloe said you were here to apologize? Is this your apology? Shoving me for no reason and screaming like an idiot?”
“I was blind to fall for a scumbag like you.”
“We’re done. You and your childhood sweetheart can roll in bed. Scum and schemer, perfect match. I’m out.”
I turned and left, ignoring Ethan’s furious shout:
“Claire, don’t regret this!”
Regret? I only regretted loving a scumbag.