Two Times the Charm (Clara and Emmett) novel Chapter 235

Elio couldn't stomach the reality. For years, he's been tiptoeing around Clara, taking care of her, and now she's acting like he's a stranger! But she and Emmett have only been together for a hot minute…

"Elio, you seem a bit out of it today." Clara eyeballed him, feeling like Elio was a whole different person. If it wasn't for his familiar face, she might have thought he was some Elio imposter.

"I…" Elio paused, knitting his eyebrows together.

"What's up? If something's bothering you, just spit it out, okay? Is there any reason we should beat around the bush?"

"Well, here goes." Elio said, "I want you to divorce Emmett and be with me instead."

Clara was completely floored. She never saw this coming from Elio! He'd never laid his cards on the table like that before. Clara was dumbstruck for a moment before she could react.

"Elio, what's gotten into you? What the heck happened? You can't just drop a bomb like that and ask me to divorce Emmett out of the blue! That's not like you!" Clara furrowed her brows, "Did something happen?"

Elio shook his head and looked down, "Nothing happened. I just... I can't stand seeing you and Emmett together anymore, I want you by my side!"

"..."

"Seeing you with Emmett, it's like a kick in the gut. I can't take it anymore!" Elio suddenly grabbed her hand, "You said you owed me one, right? You'd grant me any request! Well, here it is, I want you to divorce Emmett, take the kids, and start a life with me!"

Elio's brow furrowed, "So, all that talk was just a bunch of hot air? You're not planning to leave with me anymore? You're just gonna overlook all the times I have helped you?"

"It's not like that, I'm really grateful to you! I want to repay you, but not this way! Elio, you're still young, being with me would only bring you trouble, it might even mess with the Milburn family!"

"Clara, cut the crap, you've fallen for Emmett, haven't you?" Although Elio didn't want to hear the answer, he couldn't help but ask. And sure enough, Clara hesitated.

"Why? What's so great about him? Where was he when you needed help, when Alex needed a father? Just because he forced his way into your heart, you fell for him? What's the deal here?"

Clara blinked, wanting to say something. But suddenly she didn't know how to put it into words or where to start.