Ethan's POV
"That conniving b***h!" Mom was shaking with rage. "I told you—I specifically told you to cut all contact! And you go behind my back, sneaking around with her like some lovesick teenager?"
"It's not what it looks like," I started, but she cut me off.
"Where is she? Tell me where Clara is right now. I'll go deal with her myself—"
"Mom, stop." I grabbed her wrist as she moved toward the door. "This is my fault. Leave Clara out of it."
"Leave her out of it?" Mom's laugh was brittle. "She's been the problem from the start! She's like a disease that won't leave this family alone!"
"Enough!" Grandmother's voice cut through the room like a whip.
We both fell silent.
She was sitting up now, supported by pillows, her face flushed with either anger or strain—may
