Years had passed since the Carter family’s downfall, and Ryan had fallen from a spoiled heir to just another wage earner.
Meanwhile, his childhood playmate Claire had risen to become the real power behind the Miller Group.
That disparity in status left Ryan scheming for any way to stay close to her.
He looked wounded.
“Ethan, I’ve always seen you as an older brother. I didn’t realize that’s how you thought of me.
There’s nothing inappropriate between Claire and me. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.”
Leave?
We’d quarreled so many times, and every time Ryan promised the same thing.
But when had he ever actually gone?
“Fine,” I said with a mocking smile. “If you truly disappear from our lives, I won’t bring up divorce again.”
His expression froze for a moment, then he forced himself to speak with a pained dignity:
“Alright, Ethan. Just don’t divorce because of me. I’ll leave right now.”
I watched him go and turned back to packing my luggage.
Not long after, Claire returned. The moment she saw me, her eyes lit up with joy, mixed with faint grievance.
“Ethan, you’re back.”
“What I said yesterday was in the heat of the moment. Don’t take it to heart.
I was just so afraid of losing you that I spoke recklessly.”