Moonlight on Snow, Parting Forever

Ethan Carter indulged his fiance, letting her crush my legs until they were broken.

At his engagement banquet, my father, Richard Adams, created such chaos that Ethan was forced to marry me.

After the wedding, he tried to have my father killed, leaving him in a coma to this day.

For five years of marriage, we cursed each other, hoping the other would die a miserable death.

I forced him to acknowledge his beloved Isabella Moore as his sister, and then watched him escort her to her wedding.

On the way, the car lost control, causing a devastating accident. Ethan fought desperately to push me out of deaths grasp

He looked at me with a faint smile:

Claire, live well

But in the next life, I want to marry Isabella.

With the last of his strength, he crawled toward Isabella, who lay bleeding on the ground, trying to die at her side.

But after years of being paralyzed, I refused to let him have his wish.

I clung tightly to his leg as the flames roared around us.

When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the very day Isabella set me up.

Ethan, Im done with you.

A cool breeze brushed against my face, the pain and burning gone in an instant.

My assistant, Sophie Green, ran toward me with a pair of dance shoes in her hands.

Claire, I knew you were the best! she cheered.

In the final round, were definitely going to win the championship and be crowned the most beautiful dancers!

I prepared these special Champions Shoes for you. Lets put them on right away!

A glint of cold light flashed inside the shoes, and I froze.

Before I could answer, Sophie squatted down, eager to change my shoes for me.

This was Isabellas first step in destroying me in my previous life.

I quickly stopped her.

Dont! Give me the shoes first!

Though confused, Sophie obediently handed them over.

I took the shoes, and under the stage lights, I pulled out dozens of silver needles hidden inside.

Staring at the sharp pins in shock, Sophie stammered:

Claire, I swear I prepared these myself! How could there be needles? I checked them over and over

Its fine. Its not your fault. Some enemies hide in the shadows.

Furious, Sophie declared she would find out who had done such a vile thing and framed her.

I stopped her with a smile, focusing instead on preparing for the final round.

When I stepped back onto the stage, my gaze drifted to the VIP seats, where Ethan and Isabella were feeding each other fruit.

Isabella smiled radiantly, her eyes gleaming with unrestrained triumph.

Under her expectant gaze, I danced gracefully.

And under her shocked, disbelieving eyes, I danced as if it were the performance of my life.

In my past life, unaware of the trap in my shoes, I had leapt onto the stage only to be pierced by countless needles. I never reached the finals.

Just like today, Sophie had shouted that we needed to find out who hurt me and handed me over to Ethan.

He had been drinking, so Isabella went to fetch the car.

When she returned, she slammed the gas pedal and drove straight into me, shattering both of my legs.

Ethan had let go of me, rushing instead to comfort Isabella, asking if she was hurt.

Later, on the way to the hospital, he looked at my pale, sweat-drenched face and begged me to forgive her, insisting she only mistook the gas for the brake in her panic to take me to the ER.

He refused to believe Isabella had done it on purpose, nor that she had planted needles in my shoes. He fought with me bitterly over it.

While I sat in the hospital, condemned to a wheelchair for life, he staged a grand engagement banquet to make Isabella happy.

When my father learned the truth, he stormed the celebration and forced Ethan to marry me, or else hed pursue criminal charges against Isabella.

I thought sacrificing my legs and my lifelong passion for dance in exchange for marrying his beloved would be a fair trade.

But I lost everything.

As I finished my dance in this new life, the thunderous applause from the audience told me everything.

There was no suspenseI had won the championship.

Sophie hugged me and spun me around in joy, while I felt nothing but relief.

Ethan Carter pulled Isabella Moore along as they came over to congratulate me.

Claire, congratulations on winning the championship just as you wished! You were stunning on stage today!

Isabellas gaze swept down to my feet before she also offered her congratulations.

I smiled faintly, meeting Ethans eyes.

Thank you.

And silently, I hope you get what you wish for in this lifetime too.

To celebrate my victory, Ethan insisted on taking me to a club for a lively night out.

Before I could decline, he was already on the phone calling people to join.

I couldnt escape his persistence and reluctantly agreed.

As I headed toward the underground parking lot, Isabella tugged at my arm.

Claire, you must be exhausted after the competition. Just ride with us. Ill go get the car, and you can help watch over Ethan. You dont know how much he drankhis clients wouldnt let him go, but he still insisted on coming to see your performance.

Her tone was full of reproach, and her reproachful eyes lingered on Ethan.

Still tipsy, Ethan laughed foolishly and slung an arm around my shoulder.

Claires competition? Even if knives fell from the sky, Id still come. Shes my only little sister, after all!

He had always treated me like a sister. Even in my past life when we were married, he cursed me constantly yet still cared for me in that same sibling waynever once crossing the line.

If blame must fall, its on mefor foolishly falling in love with him.

If I hadnt, Richard wouldnt have stormed his engagement party after I was left broken-hearted and paralyzed.

I gently pried Ethans arm off and pushed him toward Isabella.

Let your wife-to-be take care of you, Ethan. I dont want to deal with his drunken antics.

I turned, pulling Sophie Green with me toward the elevator.

As the doors began to close, Ethan suddenly pressed a hand against them, stopping them.

Claire, what did you just call Isabella?

His eyes were hazy, but his tone was unusually serious.

I gave him a small, steady smile.

Wife.

He froze, frowning slightly, as if he wanted to say something. But Isabella tugged on his arm, and the doors closed, shutting them out.

At my side, Sophie whispered, puzzled:

Claire, didnt you use to like Mr. Carter? Why the sudden change?

That was the past. People have to move on.

Inside the private room at the club, Ethan and I were surrounded by mutual friends raising their glasses to congratulate me.

After the commotion, I slipped into a corner, quietly sipping juice.

Ethan was in the center of the crowd, drinking as everyone egged him on. Isabella clung to his side, occasionally stepping in to block drinks for him. Their closeness spurred the crowd to chant for them to kiss.

Ethan didnt hesitatehe kissed Isabella passionately, a French kiss under the dim lights.

The raw intensity in his eyes was blindingly painful to watch.

I stood and made my way toward the restroom, desperate to leave the suffocating atmosphere.

But someone grabbed my arm.

Claire, where are you going? Ethans in the middle of a hot kissyoure not planning to ruin the moment, are you?

For a second, the lively air in the room froze with awkward tension.

Everyone knew about my past feelings for Ethanit wasnt exactly a secret. They thought I was about to throw a jealous tantrum.

I calmly pulled my arm free.

Im going to the restroom.

Sophie, thinking I was holding back my feelings, couldnt resist speaking up for me.

If it werent for Mr. Carter suddenly getting a girlfriend and announcing an engagement, everyone in Los Angeles thought hed end up marrying Claire. After all

I tugged on her sleeve to silence her.

But Ethan had already pulled away from the kiss, his face dark.

Coldly, he snapped at Sophie:

Youre just an assistant. What do you know? Stop spouting nonsense!

It was the first time Ethan Carter had ever snapped at Sophie Green.

Scolding her was no different from striking meit stung all the same.

He was so harsh, most likely out of guilt, afraid I might reveal something he didnt want others to know.

Just last year, on my birthday, Ethan and I were still inseparabletwo lifelong singles who spent nearly every day together.

He had held my hand and made a wish with me.

Claire, may we share this moment year after year, forevermore.

That night, drunk and unguarded, he said if we both reached twenty-five without finding someone, wed go get our marriage license.

I had agreed, looking forward to my twenty-fifth birthday with anticipation.

But when the day came, instead of a surprise, he brought Isabella Moore to my party.

And I was left the fool, still expecting something from him.

Sophie had witnessed the entirety of my feelings for Ethan, and now stood frozen, stunned by his outburst.

Everyone else looked at me nervously, expecting me to lash out in defense of her.

Instead, I took Sophies hand and calmly broke the tension:

Everyones mistaken. Ethan and I are just like brother and sister. Now that hes found me a sister-in-law, I couldnt be happier.

I spoke with sincerity, but no one believed me.

I didnt care to explain further. I had no desire to stay any longer, and I rose to leave.

But Isabella suddenly blocked my way.

Claire, the partys still goinghow can you just leave? Dont forget, youre the guest of honor tonight!

Or is it that what everyone just said is true? You and Ethan

Her eyes welled with tears as she glanced at Ethan, painting herself the victim.

The alcohol seemed to vanish from Ethans system as he shot Sophie a furious glare, then hurriedly pulled Isabella into his arms to comfort her.

And in front of everyone, he scolded me harshly:

Claire Adams, I arranged this celebration for you, and this is how you repay meby letting your assistant spout nonsense and upset Isabella?

Whatever your intentions, it doesnt change the fact that Im going to marry Isabella. Perhaps I was too close to you before and made you misunderstand. From now on, Ill keep my distance, and I hope youll do the same.

The tenderness in his gaze when he looked at Isabella turned to icy disdain the moment it landed on me.

Fine.

My response was sharp and decisive.

That only seemed to anger him more. He demanded Sophie and I drink three glasses each to apologize to Isabella.

He knew very well we were both allergic to alcohol, that we couldnt drink.

Sophie bristled, ready to lash out, but I stopped her.

I picked up the glass myself, lifted it high, and spoke softly:

Its my fault Isabellas unhappy. Ill take three drinks as punishmentand as my early blessing for you both. May you have a joyful marriage and a lifetime together.

I downed the three glasses in one go, then took Sophies hand and left.

As I passed Ethan, I whispered:

Ill grant your wish and step aside. But keep your woman in checktell her never to do something as low as planting needles in my dance shoes again.

Ethan froze, bewildered, but Isabellas face turned ashen.

She understood. That was enough.

On the way home, Sophie bought me medicine for the allergic reaction, struggling to hold back words.

I knew what she wanted to say, so I spared her the effort:

Sophie, I was obsessed before.

From now on, Ill never love him again.

Her eyes filled with tears as she hugged me tightly, crying for the secret love I had never spoken aloud.

In that moment, by all rights, I should have been crying my heart out as well.

But there was nothing left in me to cry.

When Sophie saw my dry eyes and steady expression, she finally believed I had truly let go.

Back home, my father, Richard Adams, had just returned from overseas. He pulled me into a warm embrace.

The moment I felt his familiar arms around me, my tears finally broke free, unstoppable.

In this life, I wasnt crippled in a car crash, and my father, Richard Adams, hadnt been turned into a vegetable by Ethan Carter.

Everything seemed to be turning out beautifully.

After a few blissful days enjoying simple fatherCdaughter time, I took the initiative to ask Richard about meeting the man he had once arranged as a potential match for me.

Claire, have you truly let go of that Carter boy?

Yes.

Richard arranged the meeting at the most famous fine-dining restaurant in Los Angeles.

I arrived half an hour early and chose a window seat.

I had just sat down when I heard Isabella Moores coquettish laughter from the private room next door.

Ethan, these shrimp are too hard to peel~

Here, let me help you.

Ethans voice was more tender than he had ever used with me.

I pretended not to hear, lowering my head to stir my coffee.

Then a shadow fell across my table.

Miss Adams, Im Andrew Collins, Mr. Fosters assistant. Mr. Foster had an urgent matter come up and couldnt make it, so he sent me to apologize.

Andrew handed me an exclusive American Express Centurion Card.

Mr. Foster said this was his mistake. Please accept this card as a token of apology.

It was a rare unlimited card. Just as I was about to decline, a cold laugh rang out behind me.

Claire Adams, you followed me here just to put on this little show?

Ethan was suddenly at the door of the private room, eyes full of ridicule.

Isabella clung to his arm and raised her brows at me in triumph.

Claire, last time you falsely accused me of putting needles in your shoes. Now what is thisanother ploy to drive a wedge between Ethan and me?

Im here on a date, Mr. Carter. You and your lady are overthinking.

The moment he realized I wasnt even calling him Ethan anymore, his expression darkened.

To get my attention, you came here for a date? And with an assistant, no less? Dont make me laugh.

Andrew quickly spoke up.

Sir, Mr. Foster was delayed by urgent business. He didnt stand her up intentionally.

At that, Ethan finally looked directly at Andrew and recognized the Centurion Card.

Then he yanked my wrist.

Grandma Carters birthday is today. Come back with me nowdont keep her waiting.

From the shadow in his eyes, I could almost read it: he didnt want me on this date.

I pulled my hand free.

I dont have time.

Turning back, I accepted the card from Andrew.

Please thank Mr. Foster for me. Ill take this for now and arrange to meet him another day.

Andrew, delighted that I accepted, offered to drive me home.

Ethans face turned even darker.

Claire Adams! My grandmother adores you and is looking forward to seeing you on her birthday. You really mean to defy me?

But I truly didnt want to go.

In my past life, though I had been paralyzed, I still carefully prepared a gift and arrived early. Grandma Carter had demanded justice for me, insisting Ethan break up with Isabella and marry me instead. But Ethan had declared publicly that he would marry Isabella no matter what.

This time, even though I wasnt crippled, I knew she would almost certainly try again to push Ethan and me together.

If I didnt go, none of that trouble would happen.

But Ethan gave me no choice, dragging me toward his car.

Not wanting Andrew to see the family drama, I apologized to him:

Sorry, Andrew. Dont laugh at usits just my god-brother. Ill go back with him to celebrate his grandmothers birthday.

And so, in the end, I went to the Carter Family Estate.

After all, Grandma Carter truly loved me.

Once we arrived, Ethan hurried to present Isabella to her. Isabella smiled sweetly and handed over an expensive gift.

But Grandma Carter didnt take it. Instead, she warmly grasped my hand.

Claire, youre here! Ive missed you so much lately.

Isabellas hand froze in midair, her sugary smile stiffening on her face.

Ethan Carter yanked me away from Grandma Carters grasp and dragged me out into the courtyard.

Claire Adams, what did you say to my grandmother to make her treat Isabella this way?

I froze.

We had entered the house together, and I hadnt even spoken more than a few words to Grandma.

Seeing my expression, Ethan looked uneasy but quickly masked it with a warning:

Todays Grandmas birthday. Dont you dare cause troubleespecially dont make things hard for Isabella.

Before he could finish, the sound of sobbing drifted from the yard.

Grandma, I know you dont like me, but Ethan and I truly love each other. This gift was chosen with such care

Ethans expression changed.

When we returned, we saw Grandma had already thrown Isabellas gift to the ground.

The butler, following her instructions, was about to drive Isabella out.

Grandma! Isabella is my fiance. What are you doing?

But Grandma acted as though she hadnt heard him. Instead, she beamed at me and said:

Claire is my granddaughter-in-law. That Isabellawho is she? I dont recognize her.

I stood frozen in the doorway, caught between advancing and retreating.

Every gaze in the room was fixed on me.

Isabellas tears streaked her face, her expression twisting in rage.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself forward and gently soothed Grandma:

Grandma, Ethan and I are only like brother and sister. Please dont joke like this. If my sister-in-law ends up in tears, Ethan will cry tooand then youll be heartbroken again.

And besides, very soon, Ill be inviting you to my own wedding banquet.

Grandmas eyes widened.

Youre getting married?

Yes. My father introduced me to someone. Once we meet and settle the details, Ill marry him.

Nonsense! Claire, how can you marry just anyone?

She pointed sharply at Ethan.

You, boy! Come here!

Reluctantly, Ethan stepped forward.

Grandma, dont believe her. She hasnt even met the man. How could she possibly marry him

Kneel!

Grandmas stern command cut him off.

Isabella was so stunned she forgot to cry.

Grandma! What are you doing?

But Grandma didnt even look her way. She glared only at Ethan.

What did you promise me when you were young? That youd protect Claire for life. And now, after letting her suffer so much, you still have the nerve to stand tall?

My nose stung. In my past life, Grandma had also defended me this way. Yet even then, when Ethan and I did marry, our union was nothing but misery.

Grandma, this has nothing to do with him. I never intended to marry him

Ethan wasnt grateful. Instead, he cast me a resentful look before kneeling stiffly.

Grandma, Ive always seen Claire as my sister. Even if we never marry, Ill protect her for life.

Isabella rushed forward to pull him up, but Grandmas single glare sent her retreating in terror.

Miss Moore, this is Carter family business.

Pale as death, Isabella burst into tears and ran out.

Ethan tried to rise to chase after her, but Grandma struck her cane against the floor, forcing him back down.

Dont you dare!

Still, Ethan eventually bolted after her, leaving the celebration in ruins.

Afterward, Grandma spoke to me earnestly:

Claire, Ethans only lost in a moment of foolishness. That woman clearly isnt a good person. Give him timehell see her true colors, understand his own heart, and come back to you.

When Ethan returned, having failed to find Isabella, he overheard her words. For the first time, he raised his voice at the grandmother who had always spoiled him:

Grandma! Im not an idiot. I know who I love! In this life, Ill marry only Isabella!

Then he turned to me with fury.

Claire Adams, if you dare keep spouting nonsense to my grandmother, then dont think well even stay brother and sister!