When He Stopped Loving Me Chapter 26

Claire brushed her wrist, eyes sharp as blades, voice carrying undeniable authority and contempt: "This slap repays everything you did to me in that hospital! Rachel, keep your pathetic tantrums to yourself! Ethan doesn't want you because you're fundamentally unworthy! What does that have to do with me? Come harass me again and I'll make sure you and your trashy relatives can't survive in New York!"

Her commanding presence completely intimidated Rachel. Just then, urgent brakes sounded—Ethan's car stopping nearby. He'd obviously gotten word and rushed over.

Rachel saw Ethan like seeing salvation, immediately switching to tearful victim mode, covering her face and running to him, trying to throw herself into his arms: "Ethan! Finally! Look what she... she hit me! She's threatening me!"

But Ethan didn't even glance at her. His gaze was locked on Claire, eyes full of urgency and... almost humble flattery.

He shoved Rachel aside, force sending her stumbling to the ground.

"Get away!" Ethan snapped, then quickly approached Claire, tone carefully tentative and eager to prove himself. "Claire! Are you okay? I'm sorry I'm late! I'll handle this crazy woman. She won't bother you again!"

Saying this, he turned to Rachel on the ground, dumbfounded, and in front of Claire's cold gaze, to demonstrate his determination and loyalty, he raised his hand and slapped Rachel too!

"Who told you to come looking for Claire?! I warned you never to appear before us! You're out of control!"

Ethan's tone was vicious, trying to draw clear lines and please Claire.

Rachel was completely stunned, touching her face, looking at this heartlessly cruel man, tears flooding out, voice broken: "Ethan Pierce... you... you'd hit me for her?!"

Claire coldly watched this absurd farce, lips curving in a faint arc full of mockery.

She couldn't be bothered to look at these two anymore, turning to leave.

"Claire! Wait!" Ethan called urgently. "I'll completely cut ties with her! Give me time! We can..."

Claire didn't stop, only leaving one icy sentence floating back on the wind, landing on Ethan's heart:

"Ethan Pierce, your business with her doesn't interest me. Stop bothering me."

Watching Claire's decisive departure, looking at Rachel crying hysterically on the ground, Ethan felt irritation and emptiness.

He roughly pulled Rachel up, stuffed her in his car, having the driver take her straight to... nowhere that mattered anymore.

After that, no one disturbed him again.

He began high-profile, desperate pursuit of Claire again.

Daily, different types of extremely precious gifts were continuously sent to Claire's studio—

Air-freighted rare orchids, limited edition antique pianos, priceless jewelry... Yet all these gifts were, at Claire's instruction, returned unopened without even a note left behind.

Unwilling to give up, he bought full-page spreads in Manhattan's most influential newspapers, publishing a long, earnest apology letter detailing his past mistakes, expressing deep regret and love, begging forgiveness.

When Claire's assistant showed her the newspaper, she glanced casually before smiling and tossing it in the trash, telling Sebastian: "Seems Mr. Pierce isn't very busy lately—has spare money for such pointless things."

He even discovered Claire's new residence address, buying an entire floor in the building across from hers, lighting all the windows every night, lights aimed directly at her bedroom window, trying to announce his presence through this childish method.

After Claire discovered this, she simply drew heavy blackout curtains expressionlessly, completely blocking out that annoying light source, and blocked all of Ethan's contact methods.

All Ethan's efforts were like punches hitting cotton—no response, only making him look more like a ridiculous clown.

The most heart-wrenching moment came when he accidentally saw Sebastian dropping Claire off downstairs.

They hugged by the car. Sebastian lowered his head, tenderly kissing her.

Claire didn't refuse, even slightly lifting her head in response.

Under moonlight, their intertwined silhouettes were beautifully painful to watch.