Chapter 11 - ETHAN TELLS THE PART HE HID
Ethan asked Claire to meet at their house.
She almost refused.
Then went.
He had found old messages from the separation.
One from Vanessa:
If you need time, take time. Just don’t make permanent decisions while you’re angry.
Ethan replied:
I don’t know what happens after this.
Date:
August.
One month before his first kiss with Claire.
Claire stared.
“You told me you’d already told her it was over.”
“I had.”
“Not here.”
“I was trying not to be cruel.”
“You were trying not to choose.”
He looked down.
Exactly.
Then another message after the kiss.
ETHAN to VANESSA:
We are not reconciling. I should have said it more clearly.
Claire closed her eyes.
There.
He had ended ambiguity only after beginning something with Claire.
Vanessa still lied about Claire “stealing” him.
But Ethan had given her a real wound.
Claire said:
“You let me walk into a story you hadn’t finished.”
He answered:
“Yes.”
That did not make Vanessa’s campaign justified.
It made Ethan responsible for his piece.
Claire moved into a hotel for three weeks.
May you like
Not dramatic divorce.
Space.
