<b>Chapter 70 </b>Brian <b>and </b>Ethan <b>Are </b>Fighting


    Chloe quickly brushed off the fleeting thought. She and Brian had never been connected in any way. As a child, she didn’t even remember ever crossing paths with the Steeles.


    There was no way she could have known Brian when he was young.


    And with a face like his, she definitely would’ve remembered. Her memory had always been sharp, and


    she couldn’t recall ever meeting him before. <fn3ed7> Fresh chapters posted on FιndＮovel</fn3ed7>


    “Alright then, pinky promise,” Chloe said, holding out her pinky.


    Their pinkies hooked together.


    “Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye,” Brian murmured. Those were words Chloe


    hadn’t heard since childhood.


    A memory shed in her mind. It felt like looking at her younger self, making the same promise with


    someone else.


    Watching from the side, Willow clenched her teeth. Jealousy burned in her eyes. Brian made a pinky promise with Chloe.


    She remembered once, years ago, when she and Brian had stumbled across two kids making the same


    promise. He had stared at them, lost in thought.


    “Why don’t we do it too?” she had suggested.


    But Brian had only given her a cold nce. “I don’t need promises from you. And I’m not giving you mine.”


    She had never mattered to him.


    Yet he was the one who ruined her eye. If not for him<b>, </b>she would never be living half–blind.


    She had paid the price just to stay close to him. Yet he still wouldn’t even give her a pinky promise.


    Now, he gave it to Chloe so easily. She wondered what was so special about her.


    Lena and Ethan had been watching the whole time.


    Ethan started walking toward them without thinking, but Lena grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare cause a scene today. It’s her parents‘ funeral.“.


    He froze in ce, jaw clenched tight.


    “Don’t tell me Brian’s actually into her,” Lena muttered under her breath,


    What happened in front of them was warm. It didn’t match Brian’s usual image at all. Maybe the jealousy she had seen in his eyes before wasn’t her imagination after all.


    Chapter 70 Brien and Ethan Are Fighting


    “He likes Clo? That’s ridiculous!” Ethan snapped.


    “What, are you scared he’s gonna steal her from you? Rx. She just got divorced. Falling in love again is thest thing on her mind.”


    Ethan stayed silent, but his eyes never left Chloe.


    Of course, he was scared. He had already missed his chance once. Back then, he hadn’t even known she


    was getting married until it was toote. He hadn’t even gotten the chance to confess.


    Frustrated, he had left the country for three years, thinking distance would cure him.


    But when he saw her again, he realized he had only been lying to himself. He couldn’t let go.


    Part of him hated that Curtis never treasured her. But another part was grateful. If not for that, she never would have divorced, and he never would’ve had another chance.


    Now that she had just buried her parents, he had nned to wait a while before confessing when the time was right.


    But Brian had appeared out of nowhere.


    When the funeral ended, Chloe turned to Brian. ‘I’m not going back to the vi with you. I want to stay here a little longer. With them.”


    “Then I’ll stay with you,” he offered.


    “No, I want to talk to them alone.”


    There had been so many people at the funeral. Now that it was quiet<b>, </b>she just wanted time with her


    parents.


    Brian studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”


    He walked away, leaving her in front of the headstone. Chloe stared at the ck–and–white photos etched into the stone, her parents smiling as brightly as ever.


    “Rest easy<b>, </b>Mom, Dad,” she whispered. “I’lle visit often. I’ll bring Daniel too. I’ll keep loving what you guys loved and protect what you guys protected.


    “And… I’m divorced now. I always envied your love. I guess I wasn’t that lucky. But even if that marriage failed, I’ll keep moving forward. I won’t let it trap me.


    “My life isn’t just about love. There’s so much more to live for. And one day, when I meet you again, <b>I </b>want to be able to say I lived a life worthy of being your daughter.”


    She kept talking to them in a low voice, like she was just having a casual conversation with her parents. But every word was heavy with longing.


    Chapter 70 Brian and Ethan Are Fighting


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    Outside the cemetery, Brian had barely stepped out when a figure lunged forward and mmed him against the wall.


    His bodyguards tensed, ready to strike.


    Brian raised his hand to stop them. His eyes met Ethan’s. Ethan’s arm was pressed hard against his throat. “What is it, Mr. Hughes? You nning to fight me?”


    “What if I am?” Ethan growled.


    “Then don’t think you’re going to leave here in one piece,” Brian replied coolly.


    Lena had been walking with Ethan before he rushed straight at Brian. She had even wanted to suggest they wait for Chloe.


    She hurried over. “Come on, you’re both Chloe’s… friends. Why fight?”


    Neither man listened.


    Ethan’s re burned into Brian. “I’m warning you. Chloe’s not someone you can toy with. If you hurt her, I’ll make you pay.”


    “What if I’m not toying with her?<b>” </b>


    Ethan froze, his expression darkening.


    “I’m not ying with Chloe,” Brian said sharply. “And more importantly, whatever’s between us is none of your business.”


    He struck Ethan the moment he finished.


    In seconds, the two men were trading blows.


    Lena stood there, stunned. She wanted to step in, but charging between them would only get her punched. So she turned to the bodyguards. “Aren’t you going to stop this?<b>” </b>


    “Not unless Mr. Steele tells us to,” their leader replied.


    Lena groaned. Were they going <i>to </i>fight until someone wins?


    Ethan’s moves were steady and disciplined. Brian’s were sharper and more ruthless.


    She knew Ethan could fight, but she hadn’t expected Brian to be skilled as well.


    Five minutes passed. She grew anxious. She was worried someone would get seriously hurt. Then ten minutes passed. She was just anxious for it to be over.


    Fifteen minutester, she was numb.


    “For God’s sake, are you two done yet? Take a break and grab some water or something!” she muttered.


    Chapter 70 Brian and Ethan Are Fighting


    Just then, another figure ran toward the men locked inbat.


    Lena’s eyes widened.


    It was Chloe.