Chapter 8
I’d thought Evan’s men had left New York after that day.
So–every move I made, every thought I had, was right under Evan’s nose.
A chill crept down my spine, like he’d been watching me through some twisted keyhole this
whole time, cataloging every breath.
“Clara, I haven’t been following you, I just-”
“Mr. Thorne, I know I was wrong that night. I apologize.”
I cut him off.
A man like Evan was way out of my league.
Evan slowly released his grip, his eyes darkening.
“So, what are you trying to say?”
“Can we just pretend nothing ever happened?”
I glared at Evan with red–rimmed eyes, every nerve frayed from this godawful mess at
home. I was so drained, I could barely lift my voice–let alone fight whatever storm he was
about to unleash.
He didn’t say a word, but his jaw tightened, eyes darkening like a storm rolling in.
I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to speak again:
“If you want revenge, then go ahead. I’ll accept whatever comes.”
“Revenge?”
Evan let out a humorless laugh, like the anger had nowhere else to go–but his eyes flickered, a shadow of loneliness slipping through, gone before I could really see it.
Just… there.
15:03
The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
33.59%
Chapter 8
“Clara, you really want to cut all ties with me, don’t you?”
I nodded slowly.
All I wanted was for him to let me go.
He didn’t speak again, just raised his hand once more.
I thought he was going to hit me and instinctively turned my face away.
But his fingers landed gently on the mark on my cheek.
“Clara, you’re exactly the same as before. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“You look timid and weak, but you’re actually rebellious and fearless.”
I opened my eyes in surprise.
Evan scoffed at himself, a bitter laugh slipping out:
“I must be crazy, Clara.”
Crazy to still be hung up on her.
Knowing she had an arranged marriage, knowing she was engaged, but still not giving up.
Crazy to think about marrying her after that one night.
But she never liked him from the beginning, never even noticed him.
She didn’t even remember their previous encounters.
Yet he still couldn’t help but care for her, worry about her.
Seeing the mark on her face, he’d almost wanted to kill someone.
But she didn’t need that.
Evan’s hand slipped from my face, and he stepped back.
15:03
The Internet’s Favorite Couple Was My Marriage’s Worst Nightmare
32.706
Chapter 8
He gave me one last look.
“Clara, you better pray you live well from now on.”
I didn’t quite understand what Evan meant.
But he didn’t finish his thought.
Evan turned away and left without looking back.
If Clara lived well, maybe he could slowly let her go, forget about her.
But if she didn’t–if she suffered, if people bullied her-
His heart would always be thinking about her.
But for him, this was a torture worse than death.
Because his concern and care were things this silly woman didn’t want or need.
Time flew by.
At a charity gala in L.A, my parents had somehow obtained invitations.
They tried their hardest to market me to potential suitors.
They even spent a fortune buying me a haute couture gown.
4
Unfortunately, not long after the gala began, when the servers brought out fresh sashimi, the fishy smell was too much for me.
I threw up violently right there on the spot.
The host, worried it might be a problem with the food or drinks, immediately called an ambulance to take me to the hospital.
What no one expected was that I hadn’t gotten sick from bad food.
I was pregnant.
15.03
