Chapter 4

Leaving those two nuisances behind, I took advantage of my free time and booked a full spa treatment.

Once it was about time, I drove back to the Blackwood estate.

The main house was as solemn as ever, though something about today’s scene was a little different.

As soon as I got out of the car, I saw two people kneeling stiffly at the front entrance like wooden posts.

Apparently, when the driver brought them home and Richard saw Ethan and Sophie climb out, he’d thrown down his cane on the spot and ordered them off the property.

“Get out! Why didn’t you just stay in India and die there? What did you come back for?”

Betting that his grandfather couldn’t truly abandon his own flesh and blood, Ethan had knelt at the entrance. Sophie had knelt beside him to keep him company.

The moment Ethan saw me, his dejection vanished and his face brightened.

“I knew you couldn’t let me go.”

“You heard Grandpa was punishing me and rushed straight over, didn’t you?”

I turned my face away in disgust and tried to walk around him.

“I told you, we’re over. I’m not here for you.”

“You’d better stay on your knees. What you did back then was no small matter.”

Instead, he blocked me again, looking concerned.

“Don’t go in. Grandpa’s still angry. I’m afraid he’ll take it out on you.”

Sophie had come over, too. Pointing at my face, she demanded:

“You’re still holding a grudge because Ethan canceled the engagement for me, aren’t you?”

“You stirred him up, didn’t you? Grandpa has always adored Ethan. He’d never punish him like this otherwise!”

“You only came here to laugh at us!”

She lunged forward to grab me. I stepped aside, and she landed flat on her face.

Her knee scraped against the ground, and tears immediately streamed down her cheeks.

Ethan pressed his lips together, his smile fading. He crouched to check her injury first.

Once he saw it wasn’t serious, he scooped her up with practiced ease. He soothed her for ages before she finally smiled through her tears.

Watching the spectacle only made me feel sick.

After all that fussing over her, Ethan finally remembered I was there. He sighed.

“Claire Bennett, I don’t even recognize you anymore. When did you become so cruel?”

“Sophie never means any harm. If you want to marry me, you need to learn to be more understanding.”

“Apologize to her, and we’ll let it go this time. But from now on, I hope you’ll work on that temper.”

For a moment, I could barely see straight. Then I sneered. “Should I compensate her, too? To make up for her fragile little feelings?”

Greed flashed in Sophie’s eyes.

“I still need a car. The one you drove today is just about acceptable.”

My car was a specially customized limited edition. Only three existed in the world. Adrian had given it to me for my birthday.

Sophie certainly knew how to aim high.

Ethan once again decided he could make choices for me.

“It’s rare for Sophie to like something this much. Just give her the car. Consider it compensation for getting her hurt.”

I looked at him quietly. “In your dreams.”

“You’re refusing me? Can’t you act like an adult?” Ethan frowned.

“I said no. Are you deaf?”

I shoved him aside and headed straight for the house.

“Stop!”

His authority challenged, Ethan turned livid.

“Claire Bennett, let me make this clear. Until you apologize to Sophie, you can forget about marrying me. You won’t set foot in the Blackwood house!”

Bang!

A bullet suddenly flew past his head, missing him by inches.

From several yards away, Richard’s voice rang out, loud and clear.

“You little bastard! That is your uncle’s wife!”