Chapter 248

The morning sun filtered through the studio windows as Claire balanced on one foot, her stomach growling from skipping breakfast.

Evelyn lounged on the yoga mat beside her, twirling a water bottle between her fingers. "You're killing me with this starvation act," she teased. "Let's grab acai bowls after this. Extra granola, just for you."

Claire wobbled but maintained her pose. "Three more pounds," she panted. "The audition panel notices every ounce."

"You could show up in sweatpants and still outshine everyone." Evelyn reached up to pinch Claire's now-sharp cheekbone. "Seriously, where's my chipmunk-cheeked best friend? I want her back."

Their laughter echoed off the mirrored walls.

No one cheered louder at Claire's performances than Evelyn. No one brought homemade cookies to Claire's grueling rehearsals. They were each other's compass—Evelyn's boldness balancing Claire's perfectionism.

So when Claire spotted the snickering interns crowding Evelyn's workstation that afternoon, she didn't hesitate.

Just like Evelyn had stood between Claire and Isabella's venom years ago, Claire now planted herself beside her best friend. Some bonds demanded unconditional shields.

The Hayes family never treated Evelyn Carter well, so they wouldn't give much weight to her words.

But Claire Dawson was different.

As an outsider, her opinion held more credibility.

Just as expected, after Claire confronted Richard and Margaret Hayes, they fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Yet Claire wasn’t finished.

She fixed them with a sharp gaze. "Any decent parents would treasure their own child above all else. But you two? You're the exception."

"You're blind and foolish, letting Vanessa Hart—an adopted daughter—bully Evelyn, your own flesh and blood. Anyone looking in would think there’s something seriously wrong with your parenting."

No more subtlety. Claire’s words struck directly at their hypocrisy.

Richard and Margaret stood frozen, their faces burning with shame.

Vanessa’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Her voice trembled. "Claire, don’t blame my parents. They just love me. Love isn’t about fairness. Even if you’re defending Evelyn, you can’t attack them like this. They’re—"

"At least show some respect to your elders."

"Get lost. I won't waste my breath on trash like you."

Claire regarded Vanessa with such disdain that she couldn’t even muster the effort to insult her properly.

Vanessa’s face twisted through a series of expressions. Being called trash in public left her momentarily speechless, her anger boiling beneath the surface.

After a tense pause, Vanessa clutched Ethan’s arm. "Ethan, Claire is so vicious. How could Lucas have ever married someone like her?"

Ethan was well aware of the history between Claire and Evelyn, but hearing Claire openly label Vanessa as trash still ignited his fury.

Vanessa was still his wife, after all, and he held a prominent position in Cresthaven.

He leveled a cold stare at Claire. "Mind your language."

Claire scoffed. "Feeling protective now? Spare me the hypocrisy. You and Vanessa deserve each other—both equally rotten."

No matter how composed Ethan usually was, this was too much.

"Claire, know your place. You’re divorcing Lucas. Do you still think you’re some unique exception? How dare you speak to me like that?"

His voice dripped with contempt, but Claire didn’t flinch.

She tilted her head, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "Oh, I’m definitely unique—unique enough to see right through both of you."

Vanessa’s grip on Ethan tightened, her nails digging in. "Ethan, she’s gone too far!"

Claire merely rolled her eyes. "Save the theatrics. I don’t have time for this."

She turned on her heel, leaving them standing there, fuming.

But before she could take more than two steps, Ethan’s voice cut through the air.

"You’ll regret this, Claire."

She paused, glancing back over her shoulder. "Doubt it."

Then she walked away, her steps light, as if she hadn’t just shattered their fragile egos.

Vanessa seethed. "We can’t let her get away with this!"

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "She won’t."

But Claire was already gone, leaving behind only the echo of her defiance.

And the unspoken truth—that she was, in fact, the most unique one among them.

Claire let out a careless chuckle. "Whatever exists between Lucas and me doesn't strip me of my right to speak. Ethan, did I strike a nerve? That guilty conscience of yours showing?"

"No wonder Lucas strayed. With that sharp tongue of yours, what man could endure you?"

For a brief moment, Claire faltered, the words sinking in. Is that really how it is?

Just then, the door swung open, and footsteps echoed into the room.

The air thickened with tension as Claire met Ethan's cold stare.

She tilted her chin up, refusing to back down. "Funny how you're suddenly so concerned about my relationship when yours is built on lies."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "You always did love twisting words."

"Only when the truth needs untangling," she shot back.

A bitter laugh escaped him. "You think you're so clever, don't you?"

Before she could retort, the sound of approaching footsteps cut through their exchange.

Claire exhaled sharply, her fingers curling into her palms.

Ethan's words stung more than she cared to admit. Was she really that unbearable?

She forced a smirk. "If I'm so difficult, why do you keep provoking me?"

"Because someone needs to remind you of your place," he sneered.

Her pulse spiked. "My place? Last I checked, you lost any right to dictate that."

The tension shattered as the door creaked open behind them.

Claire's laughter was light, but her eyes burned with defiance.

"Relationship or not, I still get a say. Or does the truth scare you, Ethan?"

His expression darkened. "You always did love playing the victim."

"Funny," she mused. "I thought that was Vanessa's specialty."

Ethan took a step closer, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Careful, Claire."

Just then, the sharp click of heels on marble announced an arrival.

Claire arched a brow, unfazed.

"Struck a nerve, did I? Or are you just mad Lucas sees through you?"

Ethan's lip curled. "He'll tire of you soon enough."

Her smile didn't waver. "At least he chose me first."

The jab landed hard. Ethan's knuckles whitened at his sides.

Before he could retaliate, the door swung open, interrupting their standoff.

Claire crossed her arms, meeting Ethan's glare head-on.

"Still bitter he picked me over Vanessa?"

Ethan's laugh was hollow. "Enjoy it while it lasts."

"Oh, I will," she purred. "Every single second."

The charged silence between them shattered as someone entered the room.

Claire's grin was razor-sharp.

"Worried Lucas might actually respect me? How novel."

Ethan's eyes flashed. "Delusional to the end."

"Better than being a coward," she countered.

His retort died on his lips as the door clicked open behind them.

Claire didn't flinch under Ethan's icy stare.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?"

His smirk was venomous. "You'll learn what real pain feels like soon."

Before she could fire back, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the room.

Claire tilted her head, feigning innocence.

"Aw, did I ruin your perfect little narrative?"

Ethan's voice dripped with disdain. "You ruin everything you touch."

"Funny," she mused. "Lucas seems to disagree."

The tension snapped as the door creaked open.

Claire exhaled sharply, squaring her shoulders.

Ethan's words hung between them like a challenge.

She opened her mouth to retaliate—

Just as the door swung wide, revealing an unexpected figure.