“Burn those who burned me!” Chapter 70

***Clara’s POV:***

Clara stared at herself in the mirror doing one more look over at her wedding gown. She wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Suddenly, her brides maids Liz and Maria, along with her matron of honor Gloria, came into the bridal room.

*“Oh, Clare-bear, look at you.”*

Gloria began to cry. Liz laughed as she walked over to Clara.

*“Glo, those pregnancy emotions have been all over the place.”*

The ladies all laughed as they remembered Gloria going off on the bridal salesperson the other day.

Two years had passed since that crazy summit. Casey, Gloria, and Clara were now official biochemists working for ETP.

Gloria and Casey got married the year prior, now they were expecting their first baby.

Maria, who was now 18, had just enrolled into South Bay University. She planned on studying biochemistry so that she could also complete her grads degree at Osha.

Corey had just been promoted to CEO of NovaTech, and Liz was the new President. Both were in serious relationships with talks of marriage.

Suddenly, both Arla and Whitney came into the room. Whitney immediately started crying.

*“Look at my baby! Oh Clara!! You look beautiful!”*

After the summit, The Rhinehorne’s officially adopted Clara.

*“Oh, sweetie, from the moment we first met you, you’ve always been a daughter to us.”*

That evening, Clara went to her mother’s grave.

*“Hey mom, I know it’s been awhile, I live in Springsten now so I’m sorry. I wanted to catch you up on my new life.”*

Clara sat at her mother’s grave telling her about her whole new life since being reborn. Suddenly, Ethan walked up and placed his Jacket over her shoulders. Squatting down, he smiled at Caroline’s picture.

*“Pleasure to meet you Ms. Rouleau, I hope you know how much of a fan I am of all your work. Especially her.”*

Ethan smiled at Clara.

*“I want you know, I promise to protect from this day forth, so please, rest well.”*

That night, Clara could have sworn she saw a shooting star.

*“I love you too mom.”*

The wedding coordinator came into the room.

*“It’s time to begin.”*

Clara took a deep breath, she smiled at her two new mothers and three sisters, so much love was in this room. Nodding her head she spoke.

*“I’m ready!”*

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***Ethan’s POV:***

After the summit, me and Clara decided to wait until she graduated to wed. I wasn’t exactly in love with the idea, but whatever she wanted I oblige. I was just happy she’d said yes.

After the summit, JGP crumbled, the little bit of investors Jameson had all jumped shipped, as did other scientists and biochemists. No one wanted to work for a fraud. His former VP, Edward Crawford ended up starting a small biochemical lab. It’s been progressing nicely over the past few years. I made sure ETP invested.

Life went back to our regular routines of work for me and school for her. I ended up spending more time at her and Gloria’s condo that my own house. Casey ended up becoming one of my closest friends.

*“Finally! Someone to take some of this load off me!”*

Owen threw his hands in the air one night when we were all having *‘guys’* night after I told Casey I considered him a best friend.

We’d heard from other sources that Jameson and Jason both left Anna and Sophie. It was scary how much the two of them were alike.

Both tried to sniff around begging Clara to forgive them. I was glad she told them where the door was, though I did hire extra security just to be safe. Finally, it was the big day.

I stood at the alter waiting for the ceremony to begin. Owen and Casey were my groomsmen while my dad was my best man. As the wedding coordinator went to get Clara, Casey and Owen walked up to me.

*“You ready??”*

Owen looked at me with his usual mischievous grin.

*“Ready as I’ll ever be.”*

Owen looked at me as if he were remembering something.

*“What?”*

*“Oh nothing, just remembering that time I TOLD you, you were in love with Clara, and you were in denial. Good times.”*

I punched Owen lightly in shoulder while laughing. Casey walked over laughing at us both.

*“So, how long you take to put a bun in the over?”*

I could feel all the color draining from my face! A baby! Casey and Owen busted out laughing!

*“Dude! You should see your face right now!”*

I made a mental note to pay them both back later.

Finally, it was time for the ceremony to begin. As the music started playing, the bridal party made their way down the aisle. Finally, the coordinator instructed everyone to rise as the bride was now entering.

And there she was. As the beautiful music played, I could feel all the emotions of the past three years rushing inside of me. From the moment I’d first seen her picture, to the moment I first heard her voice, to the moment I first bumped into her. I was in love with Clara Rouleau. It was as if fate was always leading me to this moment.

As she finally made her way to me, her father, Charles, shook my hand while asking me to please take care of his daughter. I smiled brightly the moment I lifted that veil; I knew my future with her would be filled with nothing but happiness.

*Clara’s POV:*

Ethan and I were exhausted after the wedding! We couldn’t wait to get to our hotel suite. Our Flight was set to leave tomorrow afternoon so we could sleep in. After showering, I waited for my husband eagerly. Ethan had been every bit of the perfect gentleman these past three years; it was time repaid the favor.

As he walked over to the bed, I could feel my nerves skyrocket. The anticipation was building over. Ethan looked at me, a tender loving smile on his face, he gently lifted up my chin.

*“Are you ready Mrs. Taylor?”*

*Smiling.*

*“Yes.”*

And then it happened, all the love I had been filling in my soul over the span of two lifetimes, I knew now it was preparing me for this moment. Ethan was like a gentle beast; he explored every part of my body making me fill all of the love he’d wanted to give. Afterwards, we drifted into a blissful slumber. My life entering it’s true form.

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***Ethan’s POV:***

That night as Clara slept in my arms, I had a dream.

I dreamt that I knew Clara in another life, only she wasn’t my wife. In fact, we weren’t even close, or so I thought. In my dream, Clara died. I could myself crying and in pain as I mourned her. Then, one day a letter came.

***“Dear Ethan,***

***If you’re reading this, then that means something has happened to me at the hands of my father and Husband. First, I want to say I’m sorry. That night, I never got a chance to answer your question when you asked me if I would change my mind if it meant saving a life. I want you to know my answer was yes. Yes I could have changed my mind. As I write this letter I find myself wondering why I didn’t have the courage to just yell that out to you so that you could save me, I’m so sorry. My father and husband want to use my research to get rich, I can’t allow that. Enclosed is a USB with all of my research. I hope…no I KNOW, you’ll do the right thing by it. In a way, this will be your way of saving me, and should we meet again, I pray that time I get it right.***

***Sincerely,***

***Clara Rouleau.***

After reading that letter, in my dream, I could feel myself praying that Clara be given another chance at life so that I could finally save her. And then an angel came to me and told me my wish would be my command, only I didn’t have to do it alone. I would have help; I could see the faces of every person the loved Clara.

Finally, she would get the happily ever after she deserved.

THE END.