“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 62

***Clara’s POV:***

Shortly after my meeting with the Taylors, Ethan and I met with our lawyers so that we could sign the contracts allowing him to take ownership of my research. I could still remember that day. Ethan stared at me nervously, slight guilt in his eyes.

*“And you’re sure about this Clara? Because we can wait until you-”*

*“No, we can’t Ethan and you know it. Maria needs us now.”*

He smiled at me softly, compassion in his eyes as he nodded. He knew we couldn’t afford to make her wait three years. This had to be done now.

After the contracts, we immediately dove into setting up the trials. Ethan had a state-of-the-art medical center inside his corporation. An entire team of experts we on board to help along with Casey and Gloria. In addition to the contracts, Ethan had everyone sign an NDA.

*“I don’t want ANYONE speaking of what we are doing until the time is right!”*

His entire crew nodded in agreement.

It took us about seven days to get everything prepared for Maria. My days were long. Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays consisted of classes and lab, while my Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends consisted of cancer treatments with Ethan and Maria.

Over time, Ethan and I grew close. We learned so much about each other. He’d told me all about his family and his work, how he had been trying to save his sister for the past several years. I grew such an admiration for him; even more so than my previous life. In return, I told him about my upbringing. I could remember the heat of anger growing on his face as I told him about my family and Jason.

*“You’re not going to still marry that prick are you!”*

My eyes widen as he barked those words, it was the first time I’d ever seen him angry. I couldn’t help but laugh and slightly blush.

*“Of course not! They couldn’t pay me to marry that jerk.”*

Ethan’s face instantly brightened, the anger in his eyes completely gone.

*“Besides, I haven’t spoken to any of them since I left.”*

*“Good. They don’t deserve you.”*

I stared at Ethan for a brief moment, I could feel my ears redden, nervously, I turned back to my notes. I could see him slightly chuckle.

The day we began the trials, Maria along with her mom both admitted into Ethan’s medical facility. She didn’t want Maira to be there by herself, so she moved in with her. We concluded the vaccine would take 60 days to fully eradicate her cancer cells while balancing her white and red blood cells; and another two months of monitoring before we could send her home. Her face was bright and filled with optimism as I fluffed her pillows for her.

*“Clara, I just want you to know…even if this doesn’t work, I appreciate you so much!”*

I looked at Maria with a passionate smile, she was so amazingly pure. Smiling with confidence, I hugged her tightly.

*“I promise Maria, you’re going to be fine! You’re going to live an amazing life and have a lot of new memories to make.”*

Her eyes started to swell with tears, grabbing my hands, she spoke with conviction.

*“With you as my sister-in-law right!”*

My eyes shot wide, where did THAT come from! Lost for words, I stared at Maria for a brief moment, just as I was about to answer, Ethan and his mom came in.

*“Ethan!”*

Maria smiled at me one last time as she greeted her brother and mom. Sensing something was different about me, Ethan asked if I was okay. I nodded nervously but kept my head slightly down. Puzzled, he decided not to pry.

Three months had almost passed since Maria’s treatments began. Gradually, we could see significant improvements. Her skin color was coming back, her hair has began to grow and thicken. She was able to keep her food down and gain weight. She was starting to look like a healthy teenage girl. One night as she slept, I stopped by to check her vitals. Mrs. Arla was sitting in the recliner beside her watching TV. Her eyes immediately darted to me as I crept in.

*“Clara!”*

She whispered with excitement as I entered the room. I smiled brightly at her, whispering to make sure I didn’t wake Maria.

*“I’m just checking Maria’s vitals, I’ll be quick.”*

After checking that everything was good, I felt my arm jerk as I began to leave. Arla was holding my hand tightly, tears forming in her eyes. Suddenly, she pulled me in for a hug.

*“Clara,”*

She whispered.

*“I will never be able to repay this debt you, but I hope you know…I’ll spend the rest of my life trying. Thank you for giving me my baby back.”*

I hugged Arla back, the tears in my eyes now pouring. I wanted to reassure her.

*“Mrs. Taylor, you don’t owe me a thing! Thank you for allowing me the chance to fulfill my mother’s dream.”*

We hugged in silence for a few more minutes, Ethan then walked into the room. Wiping our faces, we both smiled and nodded to each other. Arla let me go and I said good night to both her and Ethan. My emotions were running high; I had to head home.

**********************

***Ethan’s POV:***

I walked in just as Clara and mom were hugging and crying. I wasn’t sure what happened, but I’m sure it was because of Maria getting better. Over the past three months, Maria’s health skyrocketed. You could clearly see the significant improvement in her health. This past week, we were able to confirm; the cancer was officially gone. Maria’s red and white blood cells had finally normalized, no traces of damaged cells. Clara had done it! Her treatment was a success! All that remained was an additional 30 days of monitoring before she could go home!

My mother wiped her eyes as she made her way back to her chair. I walked over to sit in the chair next her. Silence filled the room as the TV’s sound remained low so that Maria could sleep. My mother suddenly turned to face me, breaking her silence.

*“If I have too, I tell your father to force an arranged marriage.”*

WHAT!!!! Where the hell did that come from!

*“Mom what are talking about!”*

I could feel my voice starting to rise. My mother went back to watching the TV, her voice above a whisper.

*“Keep your voice down honey, your sister is sleeping.”*

What!!!!!!!!!

*“Mom, what are you-”*

*“You’re in love with her honey. It’s no point in denying it; not to me. I’m your mother, I can see the way you look at her.”*

My mother turned to me, a slight and compassionate smile on her face.

*“It’s the same way your father looks at me. So, I can recognize it.”*

Where was this coming from! I was at a loss for words. ‘Did I love her?’ My mind couldn’t wrap around the thought. I was true, I grew to care a great deal about Clara, how could I not? We were together all the time, and she was amazing; but was it love? My mother continued to smile, turning her face back to the TV.

*“Try not to think too much about it. Take your time to process your feelings, you’ll know when the time is right to confess.”*

Her words were filled with love and compassion, and then, in an instant…her tone became serious. Almost frightening.

*“But know this, if you don’t eventually ask her, I’ll make the decision for you! No way I’m letting some other family take her away!”*

*In the 23 years I had been on this planet, never had I been afraid of my mother. Tonight, a slight shiver crept down my spine.*