Chapter 4

After that night, things between Ethan and me turned freezing cold.

He stopped asking me to play Clara. He stopped taking me to social functions. He didn't even come back to sleep at the penthouse anymore.

The only tether connecting us was the monthly direct deposit of one hundred thousand dollars that Leo faithfully sent to my account.

The sprawling penthouse sat empty. I had become a literal caged songbird, living inside a gilded prison.

Honestly? I didn't mind.

I enjoyed the peace and quiet. Every day, I read books, hit the gym, and studied index funds and stock portfolios.

My dad was discharged from the hospital to recover at home, and all our family debts were wiped clean.

Using the money I had stacked away, I even bought my parents a brand-new condo with an elevator back in our quiet hometown.

Over the phone, Mom excitedly chatted about our interior design plans. "Harper, sweetie, when is that corporate contract wrapping up? Come on home soon. A neighbor wants to set you up with a really nice guy."

Clutching my phone, I chuckled softly. "Soon, Mom. Really soon."

It was true.

The contract was only for twelve months, and more than three-quarters of it had already ticked by.

Once the term expired, I would walk away with enough cash to last a lifetime, completely free to start my own life.

Ethan Vance, Clara Price... none of it would matter to me anymore.

Just when I thought I would coast peacefully toward the finish line, a bombshell shattered everything.

Clara wasn't dead.

She was back.

Leo was the one who broke the news to me.

He showed up at the penthouse that afternoon wearing an expression of pure dread and pity.

"Harper, Clara is back," he said quietly. "The car accident years ago caused complete amnesia. An American couple abroad took her in and cared for her. She only recently regained her memories."

I sat on the plush sofa, a book on investing still resting in my lap.

Hearing this, I wasn't even shocked.

Isn't that how every romance novel goes? The true love returns from the dead, and the stand-in quietly exits stage left.

What was meant to come had finally arrived.

"So?" I asked casually. "Is Mr. Vance terminating my contract early?"

"...Yes," Leo nodded uncomfortably. "Ethan’s preference is for you to... disappear for a while. There are three months left on your term, but he will pay you out in full."

"On top of that, he wants to offer you a severance package."

"Disappear for a while?" I chuckled dryly. "Leo, that clause isn't in my contract."

"Harper, I know this is sudden. But Clara's health is extremely delicate right now. She can't handle any emotional shocks. Ethan’s hands are tied," Leo tried to soften the blow.

"I get it," I nodded, keeping my cool.

I stood up, walked into the home office, retrieved a pre-drafted document from the drawer, and handed it to Leo.

Leo looked down at the payout request, his fingers literally trembling, his face paler than a ghost's.

"Harper, what is this...?"

"It's what I'm owed," I stated evenly.

Leo opened his mouth, but not a single sound came out.

He knew every word I said was undeniable fact.

"Please pass this invoice to Mr. Vance," I said, sliding the paper closer to him. "Three million dollars. Not a penny less."

"The moment the wire clears, I vanish into thin air. I guarantee his precious Clara will never catch a single glimpse of her cheap knockoff."