Chapter 17

Ellie's face was trying hard to look worried, but deep down she was losing it. She bit her lip, repeating over and over in her head: Clara, hurry up and die already. Once you're gone, nothing will be in the way between Eugene and me. But on the surface, she looked like she was about to cry, clutching Eugene's hand and saying pitifully, "Eugene, Clara will be fine, okay? Don't stress too much." "You're really kind, Ellie. You're still worried about her even now." "Clara's still a friend. Even if she's never treated me like one, I've never held it against her," Ellie said, looking so fragile it was almost theatrical. Frederick, standing nearby, could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes. He seriously wanted to slap her straight across the face. This woman was disgusting. "I swear, Ellie, you could just not talk for once. No one would miss it," he snapped. "And if Clara's your 'friend,' then what even is this thing going on between you and her husband? You tryna bag the side—chick po