Burn Those Who Burned Me novel Chapter 98

Ethan’s POV:

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គយ

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Two more days went by, and the time had finally arrived. We were taking Maria home, cancer free. All the research, all the tears, long nights, panicking, everything that led up to this very moment all felt insignificant. My baby sister was going to have a future, and I owed it all to this remarkable young woman. As my parents looked around the hospital room to make sure they had all of Maria’s things, I could see my mom’s eyes swell up. Walking over to her, I embraced into a hug, the tears now pouring out.

“You did it son! You kept your promise to me from when you were 15. Thank you, thank you!!! My baby is healthy now!”

I hugged my mom tightly as she sobbed into my shirt. My dad then walked over with my siblings as we embraced each other all crying. Maria was in another room with Clara and two of my staff doctors checking her vitals one last time before she left. After what seemed like an eternity, we all released each other and began fixing ourselves up to make sure we looked presentable before Maria came back into the room.

“Son, I want you to know I’m so proud of you! All of you! Your mother and I couldn’t have asked for better children, you all make us so proud to be your parents.”

Elizabeth began wiping her eyes.

“Dad! Stop it! We’re supposed to be gathering ourselves before Maria comes back. I’m going

to start crying again.”

Everyone in the room erupted in laughter. Just then, Maria and Clara both walked into the room. Her face shining bright, Maria looked at her family.

“Hey!! What’s going in here? You guys aren’t crying are you?”

“No!”

Answering too fast, Corey gave everyone away. More laughter poured through as Clara began to go over Maria’s discharge.

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Chapter 98

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“So, even though Maria is cancer free and extremely healthy, I’d like for her to still take it a little easy for the rest of the year. I have her discharge papers here of her medicinal regime I would like her to follow. We’ll have her take her medication for an additional 90 days. Afterwards we’ll do a follow up to see if she will need to continue.”

Ethan looked at Clara, eyes filled with admiration, but his heart was definitely filled with

something else. Corey caught his little brother’s expression and smiled quietly to

himself.

‘My little brother’s really in love. Owen was right.‘

As everyone began to leave, Corey called out to Clara.

“Clara, do you have any plans for Christmas?”

Everyone turned to face Clara. Arla and Joseph moving to the front.

“Yes dear! If not, we’d all love it if you spent it with us!”

Clara smiled brightly, she’d planned on spending Christmas with Gloria and Casey at

Gloria’s parents‘ house this year.

“I was actually going to Gloria’s parents‘ this year-”

Arla cut Clara off before she could finish.

“Perfect! Her family’s estate isn’t far from ours! Could you stop by Christmas day? I’m the Rhinehorne’s wouldn’t mind, right?”

Clara looked at Arla’s hopeful face, unable to refuse. She smiled and nodded in

agreement.

“I’m sure they won’t mind at all.”

“Excellent! We’ll send a car for you that way no one will have to worry about taking you or picking you up!”

Arla gleamed with joy as everyone made their way out of the room. As everyone headed

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Chapter 98

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outside, everyone hugged Clara thanking her again for everything she had done. Suddenly, Corey spoke up again.

“Um, Ethan. Instead of her doing a rideshare, why don’t you take Clara home?”

🙂)

Ethan’s eyebrows furrowed, why was Corey making all of these suggestions? Elizabeth

chimed in.

“I agree! Don’t let her waste money on a rideshare.”

Clara held her hands up in protest.

“That’s not necessary! I know you guys want to get home and cele-”

Joseph cut Clara off.

“Nonsense Clara, we’ll all still be celebrating when he gets back.”

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Ethan watched as his dad smiled brightly at Clara. Nodding her head, Clara turned to Ethan who was looking at his family with a puzzling expression. Finally, he looked down

at Clara. A smile on his face.

“I agree with my family. Please, allow me to take you home.”

Clara slightly blushed as she nodded in agreement. After the goodbyes, Ethan could have sworn he saw Maria wink at him while Corey and Liz gave him a thumbs up.

‘What the hell.‘

As Ethan and Clara headed back to her condo, there was an electric tension in the air. Ethan looked nervously at Clara wondering is she could also feel the tension. Clara remained quiet, her face towards the window as she looked outside. Wanting to break the tension, Ethan turned the radio on.

“Do you have any favorite type of music?”

The question caught Clara off guard. Thinking for a moment, she finally answered. “Neo- soul if that’s okay?”

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Chapter 98

Ethan chuckled a little at her response.

“What’s so funny?”

:

“I thought you would say something like classical or Jazz.”

Clara laughed out loud.

“Well, those are favorites of mine as well, but there’s nothing more soothing that neo–soul.”

Ethan smiled at her response, it made him realize he wanted to know more personal things about Clara.

“Okay, so that’s your favorite music. What about movies?”

Clara shot a look of surprise at Ethan, was he trying to get to personally know her?

Interesting.

لی

Smiling, Clara began to answer.

“I love thrillers and dramas, especially ones with great cinematic dialogue.”

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That actually didn’t surprise Ethan, above everything else, Clara was an intellectual. By the time they reached her condo, Ethan learned a great deal about Clara. Her favorite

foods, colors, books to read. Each answer was more fascinating than the next. There was always a poetic reason behind her choices. In return, she asked him about his favorites, learning his favorite type of music was classical, favorite foods were different variations of steak. They had a lot in common when it came to favorite reads and movies. The conversation was definitely eye opening, leaving Ethan with one final revelation.

He was in love Clara Rouleau.

After arriving home, the family was all in the grand room laughing and watching TV. As Ethan made his way in, everyone’s attention turned to him. Maria and Liz smiling brightly.

“Clara make it home safe?”

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Liz asked with glee in her voice. She could tell her brother was different. Finally, he realized what they all knew this whole time. Ethan nodded. Clearing his throat, he asked Liz and Corey if he could have a word with them.

As the stepped out onto the terrace, Ethan turned to his siblings, both of them smiling mischievously.

“I need your help. I want to get Clara gift for Christmas, but what exactly would be enough?”

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