Released from prison: My billionaire ex begs me back

Fiona Barrington shot Clara Walton a look that could kill.

But Clara? She wasn't the type to back down.

After three years of dealing with all those women Ethan Blackwood had around, Fiona was hardly a challenge.

Fiona only had the nerve to act so bold because Ethan allowed it. Without his protection, her tricks wouldn't even measure up to half of those other flings.

"Miss Barrington," Clara said with a calm smile, "you're in my way."

She nodded slightly, signaling for Fiona to move aside like a decent person.

"Feeling smug now?" Fiona snapped, staring daggers at her.

Clara remained unbothered. "Yeah, kinda. Since the man you care about most? He picked me. Thought you had it in the bag, huh? Bet it stings knowing I'm still Mrs. Blackwood."

The words weren't heated, but every syllable was a slap to Fiona's pride.

And of course, Fiona completely lost her temper.

She raised her hand, ready to strike.

Clara didn't flinch. Didn't even blink. "Go ahead. But do you really think you'll walk away from that looking good?"

That was a warning-clear as day.

Fiona hesitated, just for a second.

Clara's laugh was sharp. "Seriously, Fiona, who do you think you are, raising your hand to me?"

Fiona froze, startled by the shift.

As Clara stepped closer, Fiona instinctively backed up, step by step, until Clara was standing right in front of her.

This Clara was different-Fiona hadn't seen her like this before.

She remembered Clara as someone easy to bully. No say in the Barrington house, no say anywhere. Fiona used to push her around however she liked.

But now? Clara sent chills down her spine.

"What, scared now?" Clara sneered.

Fiona didn't even get a word out before Clara's next words landed like bricks.

"You're the one who spread lies about my mother, who pushed her into full-blown depression."

Fiona's face went pale. She looked at Clara in disbelief.

"You and the housekeeper drugged her. Turned her into someone who didn't even know who she was. If I hadn't caught it in time, she might've."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the silence said enough.

"And as if that wasn't enough," Clara went on, her gaze darkening, locked onto Fiona's eyes, "you spread rumors about me too. At school. Made it sound like I was chasing after my cousin, said I had a messy love life, even made up that I was pregnant before marriage."

She said it all in this eerily calm voice, but every word was like cutting glass.

Then Clara tilted her head, as if something else had just clicked. "Does Ethan even know it was you who shoved me into his bed back then?"

That one hit different-dripping with sarcasm.

Yes, Clara really had feelings for Ethan.

But she'd never cross a line like that. She knew what was right.

Fiona, though? She'd gone to crazy lengths. Just to test if Ethan would cave, she threw Clara straight into the fire.

Only, the whole thing blew up in Fiona's face.

Ethan didn't stop Fiona from leaving the country, and Clara? She ended up becoming Mrs. Blackwood.

"You're lying!" Fiona's voice was shaky, barely holding on.

Clara looked at her, face blank. "Do I look like I need to lie?"

The question hung in the air.

Fiona's frustration finally reached a boiling point. Her glare sharpened, zeroed in on Clara.

Clara Walton didn't plan to let Fiona Barrington off the hook that easily. "Fiona, aren't you scared that someday your pretty little face ends up all over the internet? You're still in the public eye. A scandal like that? Must be. thrilling, right?"

"Clara!" Fiona practically screamed.

Clara's face was unreadable. "Move."

She was itching to deal with Fiona-just not here, not now.

But Fiona wasn't budging. She kept blocking Clara's way, her face twisted with anger.

"You think any of this matters?" Fiona sneered. "You really believe Ethan will take your word over mine? Just because you're wearing the 'Mrs. Blackwood' tag, you think that gives you power? Newsflash, you're just a stand-in. Always have been."

She was yelling now, practically shaking.

Clara stood there, calm as ever, eyes cold and sharp. She wasn't about to waste energy on someone who'd been entitled and unhinged her whole life.

This wasn't the moment to settle scores.

But watching Fiona throw that tantrum? Clara couldn't help but smirk, voice dripping with irony. "So you're blocking my way just to deliver this little speech?"

Fiona choked on her words.

She was so angry that she started gasping-that kind of breathless rage that knots in the chest. The warning signs of an asthma attack were beginning to show.

Clara noticed.

Not like she was about to show mercy.

"Whether I'm happy or not doesn't matter. What does matter is, for now, I'm still Ethan's wife. Technically speaking." Clara's tone sharpened, "he's your brother-in-law."

Fiona froze.

"Even if all of River City knows Ethan's in love with you-so what? You're still the side piece. That's not changing anytime soon," Clara delivered the blow with brutal precision.

Fiona couldn't even argue.

"Funny, isn't it?" Clara went on, her gaze deadpan. "The same Miss Barrington who used to trash-talk homewreckers left and right. and look where you ended up. How's that taste, huh?"

"Clara, you-" Fiona tried to speak but failed spectacularly.

"What about me?" Clara's lips curled into a half-smile. "Let's even assume Ethan and I get divorced. I'm still pregnant with his child. That fact's not going away. Whether you like it or not, I'll always be standing between you two. Forever."

The thought alone made Clara chuckle.

And knowing Fiona's personality? Even if Clara decided to bow out, Fiona would still cling to Ethan like a dog with a bone. How long would Ethan really put up with that?

"You think you can get rid of my kid?" Clara's voice turned colder. "Not happening. Ethan's grandfather cares about the baby. So yeah, plan failed."

Fiona looked like the ground had just opened up beneath her.

She'd never imagined Clara could be this shameless.

"Got anything else to say?" Clara raised an eyebrow, cool as ever.

Fiona practically hissed through gritted teeth, "Clara, you've got no shame."

"I don't need it," Clara replied evenly, not a twitch of guilt on her face.

Losing it, Fiona raised her hand to strike-but Clara caught her wrist in a flash.

"Really?" Clara said calmly. "Trying to hit me now?"

Fiona struggled in her grip.

Clara didn't let go.

She could see the panic, knew Fiona's asthma was about to kick in-and still, she didn't ease up.

A small, wild part of Clara considered just going off the rails completely. If she was going down, she might as well drag Fiona with her. At least that way, Ethan would hurt too.

Heh.

"Seriously, what makes you think you have the right to touch me?" Clara's grip tightened. "You think I wanted to be any part of your mess with Ethan? Go yell at him. Ask him why he won't let me walk away."