Chapter 10

"So what if she's here? You think I need to care about how she feels?" Eugene's tone was casual, but the disgust in his voice made Clara's heart clench again. Ellie bit her lip, looking torn. "Ellie, forget about her. Let's go talk somewhere, just the two of us." Eugene suggested. She lowered her head, hesitant for a second, then leaned subtly against him, like she was staking a claim. She shot Clara a glance and said lightly, "Clara, why don't you join us too? Maybe we can clear the air." Clara's eyes locked on her hand. The sour sting behind her eyes was unbearable. She snapped without thinking, "Ellie, what's there to talk about? Let go of Eugene—he's my husband!" Before she could react, a sudden shove sent her crashing into the wall with a loud thud. Clara gasped in pain. Just as she tried to get her balance, a cold, sharp voice cut through the air. "Clara! Don't be shameless! Ellie finally came back, and you're picking a fight now?" Her head was spinning from the impact, and the bandage on her forehead was dotted with fresh blood. But she didn't care. She raised her eyes, stubbornly meeting Eugene's. "Eugene, am I the one starting drama? You're my husband, and there you are, with another woman in your arms—am I supposed to cheer you on?" Eugene's gaze narrowed dangerously, rage evident in every feature. Just as he was about to explode, Ellie gently held his arm. "Gene, calm down, okay? Clara's just upset... I think it's better if I talk to her alone, just the two of us. We just need to sort a few things out." Her soft and sweet voice instantly took the edge off Eugene's temper. He squeezed her hand and nodded. "Alright, just be careful, don't let her give you a hard time." With that, he left without sparing Clara a glance. Clara stood there, staring at his back, her eyes burning. "She gave me a hard time?" She almost laughed at the thought. When had she ever wronged Ellie? If anything, she was the one constantly misunderstood and hurt... "Clara, how have you been these past five years?" Ellie's voice turned colder once Eugene was gone. Her once—innocent eyes now carried a mocking gleam. Clara bit her lip, furious. "Ellie, it's honestly a waste you're not an actress." "Heh, I have no idea what you're talking about," Ellie said lazily, but the smug smirk on her face gave her away. "No idea? Five years ago, it was you who tried to hurt me—pushed me into the sea, jumped in after, and made it look like I attacked you. I treated you sincerely all these years. Why would you do this to me?" Clara's voice was shaking with anger by now. "Why?" Ellie folded her arms and tilted her chin up arrogantly. After a pause, she sneered, "Because you like Eugene, of course. Call yourself a friend? You were all over what's mine like a parasite. Isn't that disgusting?" "I didn't!" Clara stepped back as Ellie's twisted face leaned closer. Her hands were shaking. "Ellie, I never wanted to come between you two—never!" "Oh, please! Stop lying to yourself! You used to call out Eugene's name in your sleep. Let me be clear—he's mine. Don't even think about it!" Her tone was laced with venom now, the mask of sweetness gone. The girl who once seemed gentle now looked cruel and crazed. Then, with a twisted smile, Ellie lunged forward, clawing at Clara's neck with her nails. Clara instinctively raised her hand to block her and gritted out, "Ellie, that's enough!"