Chapter 3
The kidnapper exactly took the hait
The moment he released Victoria and lunged at me, I didn’t even have time to react.
His arm locked around my throat as he dragged me toward the roof’s edge.
I could hear than screaming my name with a panic I’d never heard from him before.
But it was too late.
My back hit the railing, and then-
The sensation of falling hit like a freight train.
Wind roared in my ears as my heart felt like it would burst from my chest.
Twenty-plus stories down. The fall would only take seconds.
I closed my eyes, and my last thought was…
That little boy had finally grown up.
Grown up enough to sacrifice me without hesitation for the person he loved.
When I woke up, the sharp smell of disinfectant flooded my nostrils.
You’re incredibly lucky,” the nurse said while changing my bandages. “You landed on the safety netting. The guy who jumped with you wasn’t so fortunate-died on impact.”
closed my eyes.
than had to have known this would be the outcome, but he still chose to sacrifice me without a second thought to save his true love.
le was only twenty five, but he already had that ruthless decisiveness of a billionaire.
uddenly, the hospital room door opened and Ethan walked in.
Sweetheart.” He sat on the edge of my bed, reaching out to touch my face. “I got you the best room, the best doctors. You’ll be lischarged soon.”
turned my head away from has hand and looked at him silently.
de sighed and grabbed my palm, pressing it against his cheek. “Are you mad at me?”
I didn’t have a choice. He nuzzled my hand, his eyes going soft and puppy like the way they used to when we were kids. “You love me so much, you’ll forgive me just this once, right?
I just pulled my hand back “What makes you think I love you?”
He blinked, then laughed. “If you don’t love me, why have you stayed by my side all these years?”
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Chapter 3
Of course for the money.
I thought it but didn’t say it out loud.
“Go take care of Victoria,” I said, closing my eyes. “She’s probably pretty shaken up.”
Ethan didn’t even try to be polite about it. “You’re right. And after what I said to save her… she’s still pissed at me. I need to make it up to her.”
He then stood up and smoothed down his shirt. “I’ll come check on you when I have time, sweetheart.”
After that, he never came back.
Occasionally, when I walked past the room next door, I’d catch glimpses through the half-open door.
Ethan spoon-feeding Victoria soup, blowing on it gently when she said it was too hot.
When she had nightmares, he’d hold her close and whisper sweet comfort.
Most of the time, they were making out like nobody else existed, his hands tangled in her hair as they kissed with complete devotion.
But watching all this, I felt absolutely nothing.
On discharge day, I ran into Ethan and Victoria at the hospital entrance.
‘Claire!” Victoria jogged over and threw her arms around my shoulders. “Thank god you’re okay! I feel so terrible about what happened. Let Ethan drive you home, okay?”
Her smile was bright and innocent, like that nasty text had never existed.
During the car ride, Victoria and Ethan chatted away while I sat quietly in the backseat like I wasn’t even there.
Intil Victoria suddenly turned around to ask me: “Claire, while I was abroad these past few years, did Ethan… date anyone else?”
he car suddenly went dead silent.
than’s fingers drummed nervously on the steering wheel.
smiled. “Yeah, he did.”
‘ictoria’s face fell. “Who?”
You.”
he looked confused.
You’re the only person Ethan has ever loved,” I said calmly. “All these years, he never forgot you.”
On your birthday, he’d buy a cake and sit alone in that restaurant you guys used to go to until closing time.”
There’s a storage unit downtown filled with gifts he bought whenever he missed you.”
He flew to London every month just to walk around your campus…”
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears while Ethan stared at me through the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable.
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Chapter 3
For once, he dropped Victoria off first, then drove me home alone.
When we pulled up to my apartment building, he grabbed my wrist. “What was that about back there?”
“Did I not wingman well enough?” I smiled. “Victoria looked pretty moved. I figured it would make your relationship even stronger.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “That’s not what I’m asking. Why would you say all that?”
He leaned closer, his breath hot on my face. “Even if you’re trying to be mature about this, I know you have feelings for me. How
could you just… calmly list all the ways I’m obsessed with someone else?”
I bit back a bitter laugh and sighed internally.
Because I don’t love you at all, boy.
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From Scorned Wife to Mrs. Billionaire: By Firing My CEO Ex and Taking Over His Empire!
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
