Chapter 4 Night Celebration

Finally, as the clock approached midnight, Ethan decided he couldn't wait any longer. He needed to confront Jason again, to put an end to this uncertainty once and for all.

"Claire, I'll be right back," he said, his voice firm. "I need to talk to Jason."

"Ethan, please-" Claire started, but he cut her off.

"I'll be quick. I promise."

He made his way through the crowd, determination fueling his steps. When he reached Jason, he found him leaning against the bar, a drink in hand, chatting with a couple of friends.

"Jason," Ethan said, his voice steady but low. "We need to talk. Now."

Jason turned, his expression shifting from casual amusement to mild annoyance. "What is it this time?"

Ethan took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I want you to leave Claire alone. Whatever games you're playing, stop. She's moved on, and you need to respect that."

Jason raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Oh, is that what you think? That you can just waltz in and claim her like she's some trophy? You really don't know what you're dealing with, do you?"

Ethan felt his blood boil at Jason's condescending tone. "This isn't a game, Jason. Claire deserves better than your manipulation. If you have something to say, say it to me, not her."

Jason leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You think you're protecting her, but you have no idea what I know. There are things in her past that could change everything for you two. You're playing house, but I hold the cards."

Ethan's heart raced, but he refused to show fear. "Whatever you think you have, it doesn't matter. Claire is happy with me, and I won't let you ruin that."

Jason chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "You're cute, Ethan. But you're also naive. Just remember, I'm not the one who's going to be blindsided here. You might want to keep an eye on your precious little relationship."

Ethan clenched his fists, fighting the urge to lash out. "If you care about her at all, you'll back off. This isn't just about you anymore."

Jason straightened, his expression shifting to one of mock sincerity. "Oh, I care. I care a lot. But you see, I'm not the one who's going to be hurt in the end. You're the one who should be worried."

With that, Jason turned away, leaving Ethan seething. He felt a mix of anger and dread as he walked back to Claire, who was chatting with a few friends. She looked up and smiled, but Ethan could see the concern in her eyes.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

"Not really," Ethan admitted, his heart heavy. "He's not going to back off easily. He's playing some kind of mind game, and I don't know what he's planning."

Claire's expression hardened again. "I told you, I can handle him. I won't let him ruin what we have."

"I know you're strong, Claire," Ethan said, taking her hands in his. "But I can't shake the feeling that he's going to try to use your past against you. I just want you to be prepared for anything."

Claire sighed, her frustration evident. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm not going to let him dictate my life. I've moved on, and I want you to trust that."

Ethan nodded, but doubt still lingered in his mind. "I do trust you. I just wish I could shake this feeling of impending doom."

"Let's not let him ruin our night," Claire said, her voice firm. "We're here to celebrate, remember? Let's focus on us."

Ethan forced a smile, trying to push aside the unease. They rejoined the party, but the atmosphere felt different to him. He kept glancing around, half-expecting Jason to make a move, to do something that would shatter the fragile peace they had.

As the clock struck midnight, the crowd erupted into cheers, and Claire pulled him into a kiss, her warmth grounding him momentarily. But as they pulled away, Ethan's gaze drifted to Jason, who was watching them from across the room, a satisfied grin on his face.

Ethan's heart sank. He knew this wasn't over. Jason was still a threat, and he had to find a way to protect Claire from whatever storm was brewing.

"Let's get some fresh air," Ethan suggested, needing a moment to clear his head. Claire nodded, and they slipped outside, the cool night air wrapping around them like a comforting blanket.

"See? Isn't this nice?" Claire said, leaning against the railing, her eyes sparkling under the stars.

"Yeah, it is," Ethan replied, trying to focus on the moment. But the weight of Jason's words hung over him like a dark cloud.

"Ethan, talk to me," Claire said, her voice softening. "What's really bothering you?"

He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I just... I don't want to lose you. Jason is dangerous, and I can't shake the feeling that he's going to try to come between us."

Claire stepped closer, her expression earnest. "You won't lose me. I'm here, right now, with you. I chose you, Ethan. Don't let him take that away from us."

Ethan nodded, but the fear still gnawed at him. "I know you chose me, and I'm grateful for that. But Jason knows things about you-things that could hurt you, and I can't just stand by and let him use that against you."

Claire's brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms. "What do you mean? What does he know?"

Ethan took a deep breath, weighing his words carefully. "I don't know exactly, but he hinted at it. He said there are things in your past that could change everything for us. I just... I don't want you to be blindsided by him."

Claire's expression shifted from concern to determination. "I won't let him control my life. Whatever he thinks he knows, it doesn't matter. I've dealt with my past, and I'm not ashamed of it."

Ethan admired her strength, but the worry still lingered. "I just want to make sure you're safe. I don't want him to hurt you."

She reached out, placing a hand on his cheek. "Ethan, I appreciate your concern, but I need you to trust me. I've fought hard to get to where I am now, and I won't let anyone take that away from me-not even Jason."

He nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. "Okay, I'll try. But if he comes after you, I'll be right there to protect you."

Claire smiled, her eyes softening. "That's all I need to hear. We're a team, remember? We'll face whatever comes our way together."

Just then, the door to the party swung open, and Jason stepped out, his eyes locking onto them. The tension in the air thickened as he approached, a smug grin plastered on his face.

"Enjoying the night air?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ethan stepped in front of Claire instinctively, his body tense. "What do you want, Jason?"

"Oh, just wanted to check in on my favorite couple," Jason replied, feigning innocence. "I wouldn't want you two to miss out on all the fun inside."

Claire moved to Ethan's side, her presence a steadying force. "We're fine, Jason. We don't need you hovering around."

Jason chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You know, Claire, it's cute how you think you can just erase the past. But some things have a way of coming back to haunt you."

Ethan felt a surge of anger. "Leave her alone. Whatever you think you know, it doesn't matter. You're not going to get to her."

Jason's smile widened, and he leaned in closer, his voice low. "You really think you can protect her? You have no idea what I'm capable of. Just remember, I'm always watching."

With that, he turned and walked back inside, leaving Ethan and Claire standing in the cold night air, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them.

"Ethan..." Claire began, but he cut her off.

"Let's not let him ruin our night," he echoed her earlier words, trying to shake off the unease. "We're here to celebrate, right?"

Claire nodded, but Ethan could see the worry in her eyes. "I just wish I knew what he was planning. I don't want to be caught off guard."

"Then let's be proactive," Claire suggested, her voice firm. "We can talk to my friends, see if they've noticed anything strange. Maybe we can find out what he's up to."

Ethan felt a surge of admiration for her resolve. "That's a good idea. We can't let him intimidate us."

They headed back inside, the music and laughter washing over them like a wave. But as they rejoined the party, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that the night was far from over. Jason was still lurking in the shadows, and Ethan was determined to protect Claire from whatever storm was brewing.