Chapter 126

Ethan came to a sudden stop not far from her, his gaze dark and heavy with pain as he looked at her. After a few seconds of silence, he slowly took off his suit jacket and carefully stepped toward her. Clara flinched instinctively, but the next second, a warm, heavy coat was gently laid over her shoulders. A familiar scent hit her nose. She looked up through teary eyes, and what she saw was a face handsome enough to make people forget to breathe. But his eyes... they were filled with hurt and barely restrained fury. "I'm sorry I'm late." His voice was low and hoarse, a quiet apology that felt like it carried the weight of the world. Clara had already cried herself dry, but just hearing those words made the tears surge again. She was clearly terrified—she practically threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly with trembling hands, her face buried in his chest as she sobbed uncontrollably. Ethan was downright stunned. He hadn't thought for a second she'd run right into his arms. He