When He Stopped Loving Me Chapter 28

This sudden disruption was like a mirror reflecting Ethan's completely collapsed dignity and Claire's unshakeable resolve.

Rather than ruining the proposal atmosphere, it acted as a catalyst, letting Claire clearly see who truly deserved her trust for life.

She turned, looking at Sebastian who'd stood up, eyes showing concern and inquiry. Taking a deep breath, her face showed released yet firm smile.

She actively extended her hand, grasping Sebastian's, speaking softly yet clearly:

"Sebastian Hart, I do. I'm willing... to try walking toward a new future with you."

The restaurant instantly erupted in warm applause and celebratory cheers. Sebastian excitedly pulled her into his embrace, holding tight like embracing a lost treasure.

Meanwhile, thrown from the restaurant, collapsed in the cold hallway, Ethan heard the cheers inside. His entire being felt soul-drained, leaving only boundless darkness and despair.

After the successful proposal, Claire and Sebastian's relationship entered a new stage—more intimate, beginning to openly attend important occasions together.

Their union was seen as a perfect marriage of art and commerce, highly anticipated.

Meanwhile, Ethan, after his humiliating defeat at the proposal scene, sank into depression for a while.

But he hadn't truly given up. A nearly self-destructive obsession sustained him.

He used every means to track Claire's movements, like a wounded, trapped beast licking wounds in darkness, waiting for opportunities that might never come.

The opportunity came in an extremely tragic way.

Pierce Industries, competing with a foreign giant for a trillion-dollar project, had used certain extreme unconventional tactics, touching the other's fundamental interests, creating deadly enmity.

That company had a complex background and ruthless methods, deciding on revenge.

Learning that Claire Morrison—intimately connected with Sebastian Hart—was currently Ethan's most cared-about person, they plotted an "accident" targeting Claire to devastate Ethan.

That evening, Claire and Sebastian were driving to an important charity gala.

Their vehicle was on a relatively secluded mountain road when a pre-positioned, modified heavy truck suddenly charged from a side road at high speed, viciously ramming their sedan!

CRASH—!!!

The enormous impact was deafening! The sedan was instantly severely deformed, flipping over. All airbags deployed!

Sebastian, sitting on the impact side, suffered immediate severe head trauma, falling unconscious.

Claire was trapped in the deformed passenger seat, forehead bleeding, consciousness fading—critically dangerous!

The truck quickly fled the scene.

Almost simultaneous with the accident, Ethan—who'd been having Claire's safety secretly monitored—received news.

Hearing "Claire severely injured in car accident, life uncertain," his mind went completely blank, immediately followed by boundless panic and heart-stopping agony!

He went crazy, disregarding everything, rushing from his office, jumping in his car, flooring the gas, running countless red lights, driving madly toward the accident site!

Only one thought in his mind—

Save her! He couldn't lose her! Absolutely not!

Reaching the scene, he saw a horrific sight.

The deformed sedan smoked, air thick with gasoline and blood.

Rescue workers were trying to cut open the doors. Sebastian had been extracted, lying on a nearby stretcher, unconscious.

But Claire remained trapped in the passenger position, face pale, breath weak.

"CLAIRE!!!" Ethan released a soul-torn roar, ignoring rescuers' attempts to stop him, eyes red like a beast losing its young, charging forward!

"Sir! Danger! The car might explode!" Firefighters shouted warnings.

Ethan heard nothing! His eyes held only Claire's pale face!

He bare-handedly pried at the twisted door, nails breaking, hands sliced by sharp metal bleeding profusely, yet he felt no pain!

Only one thought—

Get her out!

"Claire! Hold on! I'm here! I'm here!" He frantically worked the door while screaming to the barely conscious Claire inside, voice trembling uncontrollably.

Whether survival instinct or hearing his voice, Claire slightly opened her eyes. Through blurred vision, she saw Ethan's face twisted with extreme fear and madness.

Finally, through Ethan's nearly self-mutilating efforts and rescuers' assistance, the door was forced open enough.

Ethan didn't hesitate, reaching in, using every ounce of strength, carefully protecting Claire's head, neck and body, bit by bit dragging her from death's grip!

Just as he held Claire, staggering barely a few meters from the vehicle—

BOOM!!!

A massive explosion—the car finally detonated! Scorching flames and shockwaves swept toward them!

In that split second, Ethan didn't think, violently turning, using his entire back to shield Claire completely in his arms!

THUD—

A huge, burning car fragment, like a red-hot blade, viciously embedded in his back!

Intense pain hit. He groaned, vision blackening, but his arms holding Claire never loosened!

He used his last bit of strength, protecting her, collapsing to the ground.

Before consciousness completely sank into darkness, he felt Claire in his arms move slightly, seeming to weakly call his name...

Then, only endless darkness and silence.