87| Small Steps, Big Changes

Sophie hummed softly as she arranged a fresh bouquet of daisies and lilies, her hands moving with practiced grace as she nestled the flowers together.

There was a quiet joy bubbling inside her, a warmth that had been missing for some time.

As she carefully adjusted a few stems, the shop door swung open.

Mia stepped inside, raising a brow as she took in Sophie's unusually cheerful demeanor.

"Well, someone's in a good mood."

She set her bag down, arms crossed as she grinned knowingly.

"What's got you humming like that?"

Sophie paused, surprised at first—

But then, her smile only widened. "It's Ethan. He went to work today."

Mia's eyes widened.

"Really? After everything? I didn't think he'd even consider going back."

She glanced over at Lily, who was trimming stems at the counter.

Mia smirked. "Maybe he finally got tired of Lily's driving lessons and decided it was safer at the office."

Sophie laughed, shaking her head. "He might have mentioned Lily's, um... unique driving style once or twice."

Lily huffed, dramatically offended. "Hey! It's not like I almost killed him or anything."

She tossed her scissors onto the counter with a flourish.

"Besides, it's his fault for getting into a car with me."

Sophie rolled her eyes fondly. "Let's just say he was pretty relieved when he made it back in one piece."

*********

Ethan sat at his desk, papers spread before him, the weight of Sinclair Enterprises pressing heavily on his mind.

His mother's words still echoed inside him, shifting something he hadn't expected to move.

For the first time, he was looking at the company differently.

He thought of the hundreds of employees whose livelihoods depended on Sinclair Enterprises.

Of the clients who had trusted the company for years.

Of the shareholders—people who had invested their futures into the business his family had built.

He exhaled slowly, raking a hand through his hair.

His father's legacy still felt like a chain around his throat.

But beneath that weight, something else stirred.

A new sense of responsibility over the people connected to the company.

He was so lost in thought that the sudden knock at his door made him jolt slightly.

Frowning, he glanced at the clock.

Jessica wasn't due back for hours, and he wasn't expecting any visitors.

"Come in," he called, his voice hesitant as he tried to guess who might be on the other side.

The door opened slowly, and Ethan's expression shifted from confusion to surprise.

Standing in the doorway, looking both determined and vulnerable, was someone he hadn't expected to see.

"Claire?"

His voice carried disbelief.

Ethan blinked, still processing the sight of her.

She looked softer than he remembered—stripped of the confidence and effortless control she usually wielded.

Even the fact that she had knocked threw him off.

Claire never knocked.

She always barged in like she owned the place—confident, arrogant, unshaken.

"Ethan." She lifted a hand slightly before he could speak, her voice quieter than usual. "I come in peace. I'm not here to cause any trouble."

Ethan settled back in his chair, watching her with cautious curiosity.

"Then why are you here, Claire?" His tone was edged with uncertainty.

She took a deep breath, her gaze dropping briefly before meeting his again.

"I love you."

Her voice trembled slightly, a hint of desperation lacing her words.

Ethan's expression hardened.

The words hit unexpectedly—

But not in the way she wanted.

"Claire... if that's what you came to say, then you should leave."

What did she expect him to say?

Claire swallowed, but she nodded slightly, as if she had expected that.

"I just wanted to say it. At least once."

Her voice had lost some of its steadiness.

"I know you don't love me. You never did. I've always known."

Her shoulders dropped slightly, her usual sharpness nowhere to be found.

"I wanted to apologize. Or try to, at least." Claire's words tumbled out in a rush. "I'm sorry about what happened with Sophie and her flower shop. I never thought it would go that far. I regret it, Ethan. Truly."

He couldn't forgive her.

Maybe Sophie would say it was water under the bridge, but not him.

Not after the mess Claire had made.

So today, he wouldn't show her any kindness.

"I'm not the one you should be saying this to," he said coldly, folding his arms across his chest. "But I'll accept it—as long as you stay away from her."

A bitter, rueful smile tugged at Claire's lips.

"I'm not completely foolish, Ethan."

She sighed, soft, resigned.

"It would be manipulative of me to apologize to Sophie directly. I know how kind she is—she'd forgive me if I did. So I won't. I'll take responsibility."

Her gaze flickered downward for a second before lifting again, and when she spoke next, her voice was steady.

"I can't lie to you, Ethan—I still hate her."

She let the words hang between them.

"She has everything I always wanted."

Her voice was laced with quiet, aching jealousy.

"A family that dotes on her, a job she loves, and... she has you."

Ethan sighed. He refused to empathize with her the way he once might have.

And Claire knew it.

She probably sensed it because her gaze softened—as though she understood.

He could see a hint of vulnerability there.

She was never vulnerable when it mattered—only manipulative.

But still... she was being honest now.

And that?

That freaked him out.

Because honesty meant she hadn't come here to twist the truth or get something from him. She wasn't trying to win. She was just... saying it.

And somehow, that made it harder to ignore.

"I get it now, Ethan," she continued, her voice leveling out as she fought to maintain composure.

"I was really pathetic, wasn't I?"

She let out a small, shaky laugh.

"But you won't see that side of me again. I'll learn to love myself from now on."

Ethan didn't respond, letting her words settle in the air between them.

Claire offered a sad smile, her hands trembling slightly as she straightened her posture.

"You've been kind to me, Ethan."

Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Kinder than I probably deserved. And you deserve to be happy... really happy."

Everyone deserved parents who loved them—even though some parents didn't deserve children.

Everyone deserved to be loved.

Even someone like her.

He hoped she would find it someday.

Still, he only nodded. "Thank you, Claire."

Claire looked away, her jaw tightening as though bracing herself against a lingering hurt.

"I was actually arranged to marry Damon."

Ethan's brows drew together slightly.

"It's been canceled," Claire continued, a strange mix of relief and bitterness in her tone. "Thanks to your decision to pull out of the deal with him and report his little 'ventures' to the authorities."

She exhaled sharply, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"And believe it or not, I think it's for the best. At least, for me."

She hesitated, her expression darkening with caution.

"But be careful of him, Ethan. Damon... he holds grudges. Canceling a deal is one thing, but tipping off the police—that's something else entirely."

She lifted a hand slightly, as if to touch his arm, but at the last second, she let it fall back.

Her voice softened, tinged with something real.

"Please be careful."

Ethan met her gaze. The last thing he wanted to think about now was Damon.

He was done with him.

And he would make sure Damon got the justice he deserved.

But still, he was thankful for the heads-up.

"Thank you. For the warning. I'll be careful."

She inhaled deeply before stepping back.

"I'm leaving."

Her voice was quiet, her half-smile weary.

"I plan to travel, see the world for myself. Start fresh."

Ethan studied her for a moment, then nodded.

He really hoped she would move on.

That she would become better.

That was all he had ever wanted for her.

Just like he had moved on from his past, he wanted her to find her own way, too.

"I hope you find what you're looking for, Claire."

And this time—he truly meant it.

For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze shifting with something like regret.

"You know... all I ever wanted was to be looked at the way you look at her."

Her voice was barely above a whisper. Raw. Vulnerable.

Her eyes flickered with something unspoken before she finally said it.

"To be loved."

She held his gaze, her words lingering between them.

"You look at her the way people do when they're in love."

A soft, shaky breath left her lips, as if bracing herself.

"I know it might sound ironic, but you deserve to be happy, Ethan."

Her voice wavered, but her words were sincere.

"You love her, Ethan. So please... be happy with her."

She gave him one last look, her eyes filled with something unspoken.

"Goodbye, Ethan."

Her tone was final.

"This is my final goodbye. And if we ever meet again... I promise I won't be the same Claire you knew."

She smiled—just once.

And for a brief moment, it reminded him of when she was seven, back when she still found joy in little things.

Then, she turned away and closed the door behind her.

Ethan could only smile softly.

Truly, he wished she would be happy.

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