My Mother Killed Me For Her Stepdaughter novel Chapter 30

Ethan Carter remained seated long after Zach Summers left.

Even after my death, I still couldn't understand this man's heart.

I didn't know if he was truly mourning me or if he was simply regretting something.

He just sat there in defeat, looking utterly disheveled.

I had thought that seeing him like this would bring me some sense of satisfaction.

But somehow, the emptiness in my chest throbbed painfully, over and over again.

We sat in silence like that until the next day.

It wasn't until Liam came rushing in, flustered, that we learned something had happened to my father.

When we hurried over in a panic, we were relieved to find that my father had made it through the critical stage.

But now, he lay alone in his hospital bed, looking frail and significantly thinner.

The sight of him like this brought tears to my eyes.

It was the first time in years that Ethan had seen my father.

A trace of surprise flickered in his eyes, as though he couldn't believe the once-proud and imposing man had fallen to such a state.

I held my breath, afraid that Ethan might say something like, "She's gone now."

Anyone could accept the news of my death, but not my father.

I was his only reason to keep going.

My father recognized Ethan and seemed to have expected his arrival.

"Ethan, you're here? Where's my daughter? Didn't she come with you?"

Ethan froze for a moment before replying vaguely,

"She… Claire couldn't come back right away, so I came first."

My father nodded, fell silent, and then let out a quiet sigh.

"I'm sorry, Ethan. I know you resent me."

"No…" Ethan began, but my father interrupted him.

"Ethan, don't blame Claire for what happened in the past. She had no knowledge of any of it.

I can rest easy now…"

Ethan knelt down, listening intently to my father's words.

When my father mentioned "protecting" me, Ethan trembled ever so slightly.

For a moment, his figure stiffened.

After bidding my father goodbye, Ethan sat alone in his car, smoking one cigarette after another.

He didn't stop until nearly the entire pack was gone.

I saw his hands trembling the entire time.

And then, after what felt like an eternity, Ethan curled up in his seat, burying his head in his hands.

A low, hoarse, and suppressed sob escaped him.

"I'm sorry… I didn't protect her…"

"I didn't protect her… I didn't protect Claire…"