I stood in the center of the dark kitchen, waiting for him to walk through the door.

My heart was beating fast, but my face was perfectly still.

The door from the garage opened.

Ethan stood there, his coat damp from the sudden rain that had started to fall.

He looked at me, his eyes scanning my face for any sign of weakness.

“Have you thought about my offer?” he asked.

“I am still thinking,” I said.

“You don’t have much time,” he said.

“The lawyers are drafting the final paperwork tonight.”

He walked past me to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.

“I suggest you make the right choice, Clara.”

“For your father’s sake.”

I did not answer.

I reached into my pocket and felt the cold metal of my phone.

The file had finished downloading.

I just needed to get back to my study to read it.

“I am going to bed,” I said.

“Goodnight, Ethan.”

“Don’t forget the deadline,” he said without looking at me.

I walked out of the kitchen and headed toward the stairs.