—Come with me.
Clara’s lips began to tremble.
“Ethan, I can’t…”
“Yes, you can,” he replied. “You’re not staying here another minute.”
And just like that, the life she had built began to crumble, on that icy Chicago sidewalk.
Ethan took Clara and the children to a nearby café. The warmth and aroma of coffee filled the air as they sat down at a table. The children—Emma, Liam, and Noah—devoured the pancakes as if they hadn’t eaten properly in days.
Clara looked exhausted. Her hands trembled as she brought a glass of water to her lips. Ethan couldn’t take his eyes off her.