Chapter 62

After talking with Claire for quite a while, Ethan took her out for dinner. He seemed reluctant to part ways when he dropped her off at her place, but he didn't go upstairs with her. As he watched her figure disappear into the building, Ethan leaned against his car, pulled out a lighter, and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled up lazily, but he never even brought it to his lips. He just stood there until the cigarette burned down before driving off. Lily had hated his smoking, so he had quit long ago. But after she passed away, the habit slowly crept back. He still carried cigarettes around, though he only lit one up when something really got to him. Unbeknownst to Ethan, behind the bedroom curtain, Claire's lips curled into a wicked grin—nothing like the sweet, gentle version she'd shown him minutes ago. She picked up her phone and dialed. "Hey, he took the bait." "Good. Stick to the plan, and don't let your real self slip," Michael replied afterward, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Relax, I