Page 34 of Claiming My Nemesis

Jess gave me a knowing look before breaking into a teasing grin. “Looks like you’ll have to do a bit more processing when you deliver that painting to your mysterious billionaire.”

I blinked, momentarily confused, until she handed me the bid sheet. There, in bold numbers, was Ethan’s name next to a $10,000 bid for the painting of Cedar Cove.

“Ten thousand dollars?” I whispered, a mix of surprise and disbelief coloring my tone.

"Seriously, Nat," Jess quipped, her smirk growing wider. "Who wouldn't jump at the chance to be with a billionaire? And let's face it, the guy's head over heels for you."

I felt my cheeks heat up, not quite sure how to respond. The thought of facing Ethan, of dealing with whatever came next, made my gut clench.

“Why don’t you head home and rest before you take the painting to him,” Jess suggested. “You’ve had a long day.”

I shook my head, determination settling in my chest. “No, I’m going to see Ethan now. I need to know the truth.”

Jess nodded, giving me a supportive smile. “You know where to find me if you need anything.”

With that, I took a deep breath and made my way to the van where the painting was stored. The drive to the Cedar Cove Inn was short, but it felt like an eternity as a thousand thoughts swirled through my mind.

When I arrived, I parked in front of the quaint, two-story building and walked inside, the painting still in my arms. The clerk at the front desk looked up, offering a friendly smile.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Hi, yes,” I replied, my voice steady. “I’m looking for Ethan Sterling. Could you tell me what room he’s in?”

The clerk smiled politely before glancing at her computer. “May I have your name, please?”

“Natalie.”

She tapped a few keys, then nodded. “Mr. Sterling is in room 204. He’s expecting you.”

“Thank you,” I said, forcing a polite smile before heading toward the elevator. My heart pounded in my chest with each step as I approached his door.

Before I could knock, the door swung open, and there he was, standing in the doorway. His tailored clothes were gone, replaced by worn jeans and a simple t-shirt. The sight of him like this, back to the man I thought I knew, stirred something inside me.

“Natalie,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine. “I was hoping you’d come.”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my emotions in check. “You were expecting me?”

“The desk clerk told me you were here.” He stepped aside. “Please, come in. We need to talk.”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped inside. The room was simple but elegant, with large windows overlooking the town. Ethan closed the door behind me, and as I turned to face him, I felt the distance between us physically and emotionally. I set the painting down on a nearby table, crossing my arms as I waited for him to speak.

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling to find the right words. “Natalie, I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m so sorry for that. But I need you to understand why I did what I did.”

I remained silent, my gaze unwavering.

He took a deep breath. “When I came to Cedar Cove, I was running away from my real life. I needed a break, a chance to clear my head and figure out what I wanted. The truth is, I didn’t count on falling in love with you.”

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression neutral. “So, what? You decided to pretend to be someone else. To lie to me.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” he said, his voice pained. “I thought I could keep my two worlds separate. But then I met you, and everything changed.”

I shook my head, the hurt and anger bubbling up inside me. “You lied to me, Ethan. You made me believe you were someone you’re not.”

“I know,” he admitted, his shoulders slumping. “And I hate myself for it. But, Natalie, I didn’t tell you because I was afraid. I’ve been burned before—too many times. Women only wanted me for my money, for the lifestyle I could give them. And I didn’t want that with you. I wanted something real, a relationship where I wasn’t being used or played. And to be honest, the guy you knew is really me down deep. I was not being fake. I just wasn’t showing you the whole picture.”

His words hung in the air, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. But it didn’t erase the pain of his deception. “So you thought lying was the answer?”

“I was wrong,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I see that now. But I didn’t know how else to protect myself. And by the time I realized I wanted more with you, I was already in too deep. I didn’t know how to tell you the truth without risking our relationship.”

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