Chapter 78
Nathan frowned deeply as he set his mug down with a loud clatter. “Ethan, that’s enough!” he declared sternly. “This is a family decision. and it’s not up for debate.
Adah quickly rose to her feet and grasped Ethan’s arm, whispering soothingly, “Ethan, don’t make things harder. Your sister marrying into the Foster family is a blessing. It will bring us honor” She shot him a pleading look, urging him to calm down.
Ethan shook off Adah’s hand, his chest rising and falling with anger. His gaze was fixed intently on Claire, as if trying to see right through herb
Claire,
however, remained unfazed.
Frustrated, Ethan stormed out, leaving the room in a huff.
Nathan and Adah exchanged a glance before following him out.
Vanessa understood immediately. Her parents were surely trying to reason with Ethan, and she needed to see what was happening. “Brian, wait here. I’m going to check on my parents and brother.” With that, she headed upstairs.
Now, only Claire and Brian remained in the living room.
Claire dreaded being alone with him. She had witnessed his intimidating presence during her time in prison, and being alone with him here brought back memories of her darkest days.
e stood up, too quickly, knocking her shin painfully against the coffee table. Ignoring the pain, she hurried away, desperate to
Abruptly, she
escape.
She didn’t head to Ethan’s room but made a beeline for the storage room instead.
Just as she was about to shut the door, a strong hand pushed it open, and Brian slipped inside, closing the door firmly behind him. He pinned her against it!!
The space between them vanished, leaving her close enough to catch the faint scent of his cologne mixed with tobacco. She could see her frightened reflection in his sharp, piercing eyes.
Brian
took in her panic and resistance, feeling both anger and a strange sense of compassion as he noticed her frail form. Despite his fury, there was nowhere for it to go.
He stood there, watching the fragile woman trapped beneath his hand. Her body trembled under his touch, her slender hands pushing against his chest with all her might, trying to keep him at bay.
Her stubbornness, strangely, tugged at his heart even though he was seething with jealousy over her agreement to marry into the Foster family.
Brian’s eyes bore into Claire’s, filled with a mix of rage and desire. “In such a rush to get married?” he sneered, each word dripping with bitterness and resentment E
Claire pushed against him with all her strength, but he was immovable, like avall. Frustrated and flustered, she retorted, “It’s none of your business!”
Brian’s eyes darkened, his voice low and tense, “None of my business? Claire, don’t think I’m unaware of your intentions. After what you did to my sister, do you think you can just walk away? Have you asked for my permission?
The thought of Claire marrying another man filled him with a burning jealousy that threatened to consume him.
“Claire, don’t be foolish The Foster family isn’t a place for you, and Heir Foster isn’t someone you can handle, Brian softened his tone. yet his eyes were filled with urgency.b
Despite her fear, Claire looked at him steadily. After a long pause, she finally spoke, “Handle him? And what about you, Brian? Are you any easier to handle?”
