1 a.m.

Clara Bennett walked out of the operating room, completely drained. Just as she stepped into her office, Sophia Mitchell sent over a news video.

Not even bothering to sit down properly, Clara threw the clip onto the big screen, munching on a piece of chocolate as she watched.

The headline was already trending, and the voiceover was clearly hyping things up:

“Ethan Mitchell spotted late-night with mystery woman—intimate behavior sparks speculation. Sources say ‘good news is coming soon!’”

In the video, Ethan had one arm tightly wrapped around a woman with an athletic figure, her face hidden by a suit jacket draped over her head. They were walking out of a hotel, bodyguards clearing the way.

A paparazzo shouted questions, but Ethan didn’t even look annoyed for once. Instead, he replied calmly, “We’ll let the media know when it’s official.”

That piece of chocolate in Clara’s mouth, the one known for being ridiculously sweet? Suddenly tasted kind of bitter.

Her eyes stayed glued to Ethan’s face. The lighting was bad, the details weren’t clear—but after five years of marriage, she didn’t need to see his face to tell he was in a good mood. That relaxed brow of his? Said it all.

Yes, the man on screen, who was all smiles while hugging another woman and teasing some big announcement, was legally her husband. Just not publicly.

Over the years, Clara had gotten used to his flings. One week it was kissing a young model, the next he was vacationing overseas with a new It-girl. Gossip was constant but usually lacking proof—no photos, just whispers.

But this time? It hit different. Hard evidence. And a hot spot on the trending list. A rare combo.

Her instincts screamed this was more than a casual fling. The way Ethan acted with that faceless woman—this wasn’t his usual cold detachment.

Besides, without his permission, no gossip site would dare drop footage like that. Not if they wanted to keep their business running.

Buzz. Buzz.

Her phone vibrated again. Another message from Sophia.

Two shots this time.

“You know who that girl is?”

“My brother actually said ‘good news is coming.’ You get what that means, right?”Sophia Mitchell had never liked her, or more accurately, she couldn't stand any woman who appeared around Ethan Mitchell.

Tsk, classic case of a stepsister crushing on her older brother. Too bad Ethan definitely wasn't into that kind of drama.

Clara Bennett didn’t bother with her. She zoned out for a bit, thinking about grabbing a quick nap, but her phone buzzed again.

It was Ethan.

“Pick me up.” His voice was low and husky, still irritatingly commanding, just like he'd always been with her.

“Nope. Just finished surgery, dead tired.” She could hear noise in the background, loud voices—clearly he wasn't alone.

“I said, come get me.” He was getting more and more impatient.

“Ten grand.” Clara didn’t even pause to throw out the ridiculous number.

He gave a cold laugh. “If you're not here in thirty minutes, you get zilch.”

Then he hung up.

Clara got up, changed clothes, grabbed her car keys and headed out of the hospital.

The streets at this hour were pretty much empty.

She rolled down the window to let the cool wind hit her face, trying to shake off the exhaustion clouding her head.

But it was late fall, and the temperature had dropped fast—the wind cut through like tiny knives, chilling her to the bone.

Pushing the speed limit the whole way, she managed to pull up right on the dot outside the club Ethan had named.

Just as she parked, a group started filing out from the entrance.

In the middle were a man and a woman—he was tall, lean, stupidly good-looking, with deep-set dark eyes that seemed to glow even in the dim light.

Sharp nose, thin lips, that usual cocky vibe he carried, but beneath it, a sharpness most people missed.

Right now, he was smiling. Not his usual smirk—the real deal. The kind of smile she had never once seen directed at her. It lit up his whole face, and for Clara, it was like a physical punch to the gut.

Her eyes drifted to the girl in his arms. That face—yep, same one from the video. Slim figure, stunning features, long hair tumbling over her shoulders. She had that kind of beauty that stopped people mid-step.

The second Clara really looked at her, it hit her.

Of course. It was her.

Lily Bennett.

Ethan’s first love. His ideal. His so-called forever girl.