Chapter 16 – Cracks in the Ice
Two days later, Madeline invited them to a charity luncheon. "It'll be good for your image," she said. Translation: Behave like a real couple or I'll disown you both.
Clara spent most of the morning being fitted into another designer dress that felt like a straightjacket. Ethan stood nearby, pretending to read emails while subtly watching her struggle.
"Stop staring," she grumbled.
"I'm making sure you don't trip over the hem again."
"I tripped once."
"Twice," he corrected. "The second time you blamed gravity."
"It was gravity's fault."
He didn't respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
At the luncheon, Clara did her best to smile through conversations about yachts, investments, and designer pets. But when one of the women — Mrs. Langford — sneered, "So, dear, where did you and Ethan really meet? Surely not somewhere… ordinary?"
Clara smiled sweetly. "Oh, absolutely ordinary. He insulted my book choices, and I told him his face looked like a tax form."
The table went silent.
Then Ethan said calmly, "And I married her anyway."
Laughter broke out. Even Mrs. Langford blushed.
Clara shot him a sideways look. "You're enjoying this."
"Maybe."
"Wow," she whispered. "Did the Ice King just flirt?"
"Don't flatter yourself," he said dryly. But his hand brushed hers beneath the table — fleeting, deliberate.
And just like that, her heart betrayed her a little.