Chapter 4

My life after leaving Ethan was incredibly busy.

I checked into a cheap motel. Every day, I either visited Lucas at the hospital or stared at my calendar, counting down the days.

Three days left until the end of the contract.

Just three more days, and once Ethan transferred the money, I would be completely free.

But things never go that smoothly.

On the second to last night, my phone rang. It was Ethan.

"Where are you?"

His voice sounded drunk. The background was loud and chaotic—clearly, he was at a bar.

"Mr. Vance, I've already moved out," I reminded him calmly.

"I asked you where you are!" he roared. "Sera wants to meet you."

My heart dropped.

Sera wanted to meet me?

What good could come from the real deal meeting the fake copy?

"Mr. Vance, that's not appropriate..."

"Cut the crap! Get to The Midnight Club in thirty minutes, or you won't get a single penny of your payout!"

He hung up.

My fingers gripped the phone so hard they turned white.

He was threatening me with the fifty million.

That was Lucas's life.

I took a deep breath, changed into a light blue dress that Sera used to love, and took a cab to The Midnight Club.

The moment I pushed the VIP room door open, I saw the woman sitting next to Ethan.

She was beautiful.

She had a natural elegance and confidence that I could never replicate, no matter how hard I tried for three years.

Only, she was wearing a striking red dress—bold and vibrant. She was completely different from the sweet, simple girl Ethan had described.

It seemed Ethan only made me wear plain, soft colors because that was how he remembered her.

The real Sera had changed long ago.

"So, you're Clara?"

Sera looked me up and down with a mix of curiosity and sheer contempt.

"You do look a bit like my younger self."

I stood by the door, keeping my composure. "Hello, Miss Miller."

Ethan held his glass, his eyes darting between me and Sera, looking like he was anticipating a show.

"Ethan, I heard she was with you for three years?"

Sera clung to his arm, giggling. "How much did you pay to keep such an obedient little pet?"

Ethan glanced at me carelessly. "Not much. Just a toy to pass the time."

A toy.

The word stabbed my ears like a needle.

But I kept the perfect, polite smile on my face, showing no hint of humiliation.

"I heard you'll do anything for money?"

Sera suddenly stood up and walked over to me, holding a glass of red wine.

"What if I told you to get on your knees, apologize to me, and admit that you're a shameless, fake copycat? Would you do it?"

The room went dead silent.

Everyone stared at me, waiting to see what I would do.

Ethan frowned slightly, seemingly thinking Sera was crossing the line, but he didn't stop her.

He was waiting.

Waiting for me to beg him for help.

I looked at Ethan, then at the red wine tilting in Sera's hand.

For fifty million dollars.

For Lucas.

What was pride? What was my dignity?

I slowly bent my knees, letting them sink toward the floor.

Ethan's eyes widened. He suddenly stood up, as if to say something.

Thud.

My knees hit the carpeted floor.

"I'm sorry, Miss Miller."

I looked up, staring straight into her eyes, my voice as calm as if I were talking about the weather.

"I am just a fake copycat. I shouldn't have imitated you. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Sera froze.

She clearly hadn't expected me to kneel so quickly, without a single ounce of hesitation.

Before she could even enjoy the thrill of humiliating me, my business-like attitude completely ruined it for her.

"You..."

Sera lost her temper. She raised her hand, about to splash the red wine directly into my face.

"Enough!"

Ethan rushed over and grabbed Sera's wrist. The wine spilled all over the floor, splashing onto my dress.

"Ethan?" Sera looked at him in disbelief.

Ethan's face was pale with anger. He stared down at me kneeling on the floor, his chest heaving.

"Clara, you..."

He seemed to want to yell at me, but didn't know what to say.

Was he mad because I had no backbone? Or because I didn't respect myself?

"Mr. Vance, is there anything else you need me to do?"

I asked, still kneeling, looking up at him. "If not, may I leave?"

"Get out! Get the hell out!"

Ethan screamed, smashing his glass against the wall.

I stood up smoothly, patted the dust off my knees, and bowed slightly to both of them.

"I wish you and Miss Miller a lifetime of happiness."

With that, I turned and walked out without looking back.

The moment I stepped out of the club, the cold wind hit my face, and I realized I was drenched in a cold sweat.

My phone buzzed.

I checked the time. It was past midnight.

It was the 3rd.

The contract was officially over.

Then, a bank notification popped up on my screen:

[Your account has received a wire transfer of $50,000,000.00.]

The money was in.

Looking at the astronomical figure, tears finally poured down my face.

Lucas was saved.

I wiped my tears. The very first thing I did was open Snapchat and my contacts, blocking and deleting Ethan Vance from everything.

Then, I popped my SIM card out and threw it into a trash can on the street.

Goodbye, Mr. Vance.

Who needs a temperamental, arrogant billionaire anyway?

I have money. I have the man I love.

My new life, starts now.