(02
F
CLAIRE’S POV
“I’m sorry! I really messed up with what I said. That was out of line, Claire,” one of Ethan’s friends exclaimed, dramatically slapping his wrist as if to punish himself.
Ethan waved him off and pointed sharply at the college girl, who was still on stage.
“Get out of here!” he barked, his voice cutting through the awkward silence in the room.
“You all are unbelievable,” Ethan added, shaking his head at his buddies. “Bringing in trash like that? How could someone like her even deserve to be in the same room as my wife?”
The girl’s face turned crimson, her eyes welling up with tears. She quickly opened the door
and bolted out without looking back.
Ethan turned to me, his chest puffed up like he expected a round of applause for his
performance.
I grabbed my bag without a word. “I’m tired. You guys go ahead and enjoy yourselves.”
Without hesitation, Ethan sprang up and followed me out.
As we walked to the car, my phone buzzed with a message. I glanced at the screen.
It was the risk disclosure document for the cryogenic experiment.
While Ethan was driving, he shot me a curious look. “Who’s texting you this late?”
I stared at the message for a second longer before pressing delete. “Just spam.”
He didn’t push it further and instead launched into an explanation, going overboard to insist he had absolutely nothing to do with the dancer.
I turned to face him fully, my voice calm but firm. “Ethan.”
His hands tightened on the steering wheel, and his knuckles turned white. “Yeah?”
“Do you remember what I told you when we got married?” I asked.
His hands trembled, and the car swerved slightly before he regained control, pulling over to the side of the road. He slammed on the brakes and turned to me, his face pale.
“Claire! I swear to you! I will love only you in this lifetime! I won’t ever give you a reason to leave me! I mean it!” His tone was intense, eerily similar to the vows he’d made five years ago.
any time ‘The experiment will begin in Iceland in a month. You can change your mind at during this period.‘ Dr. Reed’s words echoed in my mind as I took a deep breath.
Right then, I turned to Ethan and said, “Ethan, take me to Iceland. I want to see the Northern Lights.”
He visibly relaxed, letting out a long sigh of relief. “Of course! Whatever you want.”
When we got home, Ethan wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder.
“Claire, you smell so good,” he murmured, his voice soft.
I had been pregnant for a month. To keep my pregnancy stable and to surprise him on our
“Claire, you smell so good,” he murmured, his voice soft.
I had been pregnant for a month. To keep my pregnancy stable and to surprise him on our anniversary, I’d been avoiding any physical closeness.
“I’m tired,” I said, gently pulling away. “I’m going to bed.”
For a moment, Ethan just stood there, frozen, before forcing a smile. “Alright, you get some rest. I still have work to finish at the office.”
He grabbed his coat and headed out.
As soon as he left, I followed him.
I stayed far enough behind to remain unnoticed, watching as he parked his car in a dark, secluded spot by the roadside. My breath caught when I saw him pull out his phone to make a call.
Not long after, the college girl from the party appeared, jogging up to meet him.
In the biting cold, she shrugged off her coat, revealing everything beneath.
With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Ethan smirked and pushed her into the backseat of his car. Moments later, the luxury vehicle began rocking violently.
I couldn’t watch it any longer. I snapped a few photos and turned away, my stomach
churning.
Ethan didn’t come home until near dawn. He slipped inside, quickly showered, and climbed
into bed beside me like nothing had happened. Without saying a word, he wrapped his arms
around me and fell asleep.
By the time he woke, I was already dressed and packed my bags.
“Claire, what are you doing?” he asked, alarmed.
I kept my tone even, not meeting his gaze. “Getting my visa.”
Ethan’s face paled. He scrambled out of bed, barefoot, and grabbed my arm. “Claire, I…” He stuttered, struggling to form a complete sentence.
I looked at him, my expression cold and unmoving. “What is it?”
He opened his mouth but couldn’t seem to find the words.
“Didn’t you promise to take me to Iceland?” I reminded him.
Relief flashed across his face as he remembered. “Oh! That’s right. Silly me. I’ve been so swamped I forgot. I’m an idiot.” He chuckled nervously, slapping his forehead. “Wait for me. I’ll get dressed and go with you.”
He started toward the bathroom, but I stopped him in his tracks. “Ethan…”
He turned back, his eyes darting nervously.
“Why are you so on edge?” I asked, staring straight into him.
