Chapter 9 Shadows of the Past

The glow of the perfect night lingers in Clara's heart for days. For a moment, the world would seem to hold its breath for her to really take in that furtive glance and word exchanged with Ethan. But of course, that's just about how life can be sometimes-cruel by being real.

Ethan sat at his desk, the skyline spread before him, the usual hum of his world muted by an email on his screen that unsettled him. The subject line read: "A Blast from Your Past." Attached was a photograph of him with a woman he hadn't seen in years; her arm looped casually through his. Below the image was one line:

"Does Clara know about her?"

Ethan's chest tightened. He hadn't thought about Ava Parker in a long time. Their whirlwind romance had ended years before he ever met Clara, but the breakup had been messy, splashed across tabloids that painted Ava as the scorned lover. She had moved on, or so he thought.

Before Ethan could even read the email, his assistant knocked lightly on the door. "Sir, you have a meeting with Ms. Hayes in 30 minutes to discuss the gala arrangements."

Ethan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The gala was meant to be their first public appearance as a couple. Clara had been nervous about stepping into his world, but he'd promised her he'd protect her. Now, with this shadow of his past threatening to resurface, he wasn't so sure he could keep that promise.

She stepped into the office, her sketchpad tucked underneath her arm, and smiled warmly at Ethan's assistant, who showed her in to his private meeting room. There, inside, she saw Ethan pacing instead of his typical composed self due to nervous energy.

"Hey," she whispered, setting her things down on the table. "What is going on? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

Ethan didn't respond. He thought how he could tell her the truth before she found out some other way. Yet his motives weren't as pure as his action-thou shalt not hurt her. "It's nothing," he said, trying his best to smile. "Just a busy morning."

Clara didn't buy that. She stepped closer and touched his arm. "Ethan, I can tell something's bothering you. You don't have to handle everything on your own, you know."

Her words easing the tension of his muscles, he pulled her into an embrace. "Your too good for me you know that?"

She chuckled softly, going into his side. "I'll take that as a compliment. Now, tell me."

Ethan's phone buzzed on the table before she could finish. Ava Parker rolled across the screen. Clara's eyes flicked there, her brow furrowed. "Who's Ava?"

Ethan's stomach dropped. He released her and grabbed the phone, silencing it. "She's. someone I used to know. A long time ago."

Clara stepped back, her arms crossing. "And she's calling you now; why?"

Ethan sighed, knowing he couldn't dance around this. "Ava and I dated years ago. She's been out of my life for a while, but it seems she's decided to. resurface."

"Why? "Clara asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"I don't know yet," Ethan said. "But I promise, Clara, whatever this is, it's in the past. It has nothing to do with us."

Clara wanted to believe him, but a seed of doubt had been planted. "Okay," she said quietly, though her heart felt heavier.

The gala came sooner than either of them anticipated. Clara stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the fabric of the elegant emerald gown Ethan had insisted on getting her. She felt out of place in the luxurious world he inhabited but tonight wasn't about her insecurities; it was about them.

When Ethan saw her, his breath hitched. "You look. stunning."

Clara smiled, taking his offered arm. "You don't look too bad yourself."

They entered the ballroom together; the chatter of the city's elite paused for the moment as heads turned to take them in. Ethan kept Clara close, his hand resting on the small of her back, anchoring her in the unfamiliar environment.

For a moment, everything seemed just fine. Ethan made Clara meet important people, masterfully diverting the conversations so she wouldn't be uncomfortable. However, the more the night wore on, the more the whispers started. Clara heard parts-mentions of Ava-of the photo going viral on the web.

Her stomach turned, but she wouldn't let it show.

Later that evening, Clara took a step back to catch the fresh air in the hallway as Ava made her grand entrance. She was every inch the vision Clara wasn't-tall, poised, and all over the room. Her eyes found Ethan, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Ah, well, well," Ava said as she approached him. "Ethan Blackwood. It's been too long."

Ethan's body went rigid, his fingers tightening on his glass. "Ava. What do you want?"

"Just popping by to pay an old friend a visit," she said with a tone dripping with feigned innocence. "Though I couldn't help but notice your new companion. She's. charming."

"Ava, whatever game you're playing, it's not going to work," Ethan said firmly. "Clara and I."

"Ava, don't interrupt. Clara," she said, her eyes gleaming. "Lovely girl. I wonder if she knows everything about you."

Before Ethan could respond, Clara returned, her expression guarded as she took in the scene. "Ethan, who's this?"

Ethan turned, his heart sinking at the tension in Clara's voice. "Clara, this is Ava. She."

"I'm an old friend," Ava said smoothly, extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you, Clara. I've heard so much about you."

Clara kept her hand clasped to hers, her eyes switching between them. "Wish I could say the same."

Ava's smile grew wider, her win clear in her eyes. "Oh, I'm sure Ethan will fill you in eventually. Have a lovely evening."

As Ava continued on her way, Ethan reached for Clara's hand again, but she drew back. "Clara"

"I need some time," she said, her voice shaking. "I thought we were over keeping secrets, Ethan."

She says words that are sharp, cutting, and by the time she walks away, Ethan realizes that he has to fix this-not tomorrow, not later now.

The night's not over yet, but Ethan has made his decision: whatever it took, he would prove to Clara that their love was worth fighting for-even when shadows of the past threatened to tear them apart.

The gala energy buzzed around them, but Clara felt the air had been sucked from the room. The woman-Ava, Ethan's so-called "old friend"-had stirred something unsettling within her. Clara had been willing to adapt to Ethan's world, but she hadn't expected it to come with secrets whispered behind her back.

She slipped out onto the balcony, away from the glitter and chatter. The city lay spread out before her, its lights twinkling like stars. Ordinarily, the view would have soothed her, but tonight it seemed cold and distant.

"Clara," Ethan's voice cut through the silence. He stepped out onto the balcony, his face a mixture of apology and determination. "Please, let me explain."

She turned to face him, crossing her arms. "Explain what, Ethan? That this world of yours is full of surprises I'm not prepared for? Or that you've got people from your past who can waltz in and shake everything up?"

Ethan sighed, running his hand through his hair. He hated seeing doubt in her eyes. "I didn't tell you about Ava because she doesn't matter to me anymore. What we had-it was long over before I met you. She's just trying to cause trouble, and I should have seen it coming."

Clara softened some but stood by her grounds still. "Trust you, I do, Ethan. But believe your words to me, well, it has nothing to do with that either. It means knowing that there's letting-me-in when this is really rough."

Ethan took another pace closer and began to stretch to reach her hands. "It's right there. You need to know about this. There's no person in my heart but you alone."

His eyes searched hers, vulnerability etched into his face. For all his wealth and power, Ethan stood before her stripped of the shields he used with everyone else.

Clara exhaled slowly, letting her walls lower just a fraction. "I don't care about your past, Ethan. I just want to know I have a place in your future."

He pulled her close by both hands. "You're not just in my future-you are my future, Clara. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

The city sounds faded into the background as Clara melted into his arms. They stood there in silence for a moment, feeling the weight of their emotions grounding them. Then Ethan spoke, his voice softer than she'd ever heard.

"Come with me," he said.

She blinked, cocking her head. "Where?"

He smiled, his confidence coming back. "You'll see."

A few minutes later, Ethan led her through the park behind the gala venue. The party sounds faded into the distance as they followed a trail lined with softly glowing lanterns. Clara couldn't help but smile as she noticed the effort. "Did you. plan this?"

"I might've had some help," he admitted. "But this part was all me."

Clara gasped as she reached the end of the trail. Ethan had planned a tiny, secluded setting: a blanket spread out under an old oak, filled with fairy lights. A bottle of wine was placed on a small table, accompanied by a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries.

"Ethan." Clara's words hung in her throat as she looked around. "This is. wow."

He smiled, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "I wanted to remind you of the first time we really talked. The café, your sketchpad, the way you laughed at my coffee spill. This is where I fell for you, Clara-when I realized you weren't impressed by my name or my money. You just. saw me."

Clara turned to face him, her heart swelling. "You always know how to make me feel special, Ethan."

"That's because you are special," he said, cupping her face. His thumb brushed her cheek, and he leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss so tender it made her knees weak.

The kiss deepened, passion simmering beneath the surface. Ethan pulled her closer, his hand trailing to the small of her back as if anchoring her to him. Clara's fingers curled into his jacket, her heart pounding as the rest of the world disappeared.

When they finally pulled apart, Clara laughed breathlessly, her forehead resting against his. "You're dangerously good at that."

He smirked. "I've had a lot of practice. with you."

They spent the rest of the evening under the stars, talking about everything and nothing. Clara sketched the scene around them, and Ethan tried his hand at drawing her, resulting in a hilariously lopsided portrait. She doubled over with laughter as he defended his "artistic vision."

"You're hopeless," she teased, wiping away tears of laughter.

"Hopelessly in love with you," he countered, grinning as he pulled her close. "And I don't care if I can't draw. You've already made my life a masterpiece."

Clara kissed him again, her heart bursting with love. In that moment, she realized that no matter what challenges came their way, as long as they had each other, they'd find a way through.