The flight.
“YOU WERE GOING TO STEAL FROM ME.”
I looked at Ethan.
“You faked terminal cancer.”
He said nothing.
“So I would marry you quickly.”
“Claire—”
“You were going to use your rights as my husband to access my trust.”
“It isn’t that simple.”
“Then explain the plane ticket.”
He reached for my hand.
I stepped back.
“You planned to take the money and leave Bellmere.”
“No.”
“Then why are you flying alone in three days?”
He couldn’t answer.
I laughed.
It sounded horrible.
“You wore that stupid bow tie.”
His eyes dropped.
“You told me it was the best day of your life.”
“Claire…”
“And the entire time, you were waiting for me to sign.”
His face changed.
The soft, sick Ethan disappeared.
Something harder replaced him.
“You don’t understand what I was dealing with.”
“You’re right.”
I picked up my purse.
“I don’t.”
“And I never will.”
THE ANNULMENT PAPERS
One of the attorneys placed documents onto the tray.
Annulment.
Trust freeze.
Fraud complaint.
Financial restraint orders.
Ethan looked at them.
