On Love's Peak, I Watch Us Crash

Claire's POVEthan and Tessa spotted me from the stage.Tessa waved excitedly, then ran over and thrust the stuffed animal she'd won into my arms. "Claire! Look, I got you a birthday present! And don't get jealous, okay? The only reason I put up with pretending to be Ethan's girlfriend was to win this for you!"All for me again.I looked down at the stuffed animal in my hands. Its wide grin seemed to mock me for being such an idiot.The two of them walked side by side, leaving their usual spot on the left open for me.I caught up and gently tugged at Ethan's shirt."Let's break up," I said quietly."What?" He leaned down, turning his left ear toward me."I said, let's break up!" I repeated, raising my voice.He still looked confused.I was about to repeat myself when Tessa cut in. "The fireworks are starting soon. We'd better hurry if we want a good spot."Ethan immediately straightened up, took her hand, and hurried off with her. I stood there alone, my words left hanging

Claire's POVThe text confirming my flight booking finally snapped me out of my daze. I took a screenshot of my flight details, then got up and started packing.As I passed the study, I caught a glimpse of Ethan through the slightly open door. He had his phone pressed to his right ear, listening so intently that he seemed determined not to miss a single word Tessa said.I'd sent Ethan voice messages before, back when I was out and couldn't easily type.The first time I'd done it, he'd lost his temper with me. "Claire, you know I have trouble hearing! Why would you send me a voice message? Could you at least think about how that makes me feel?"He'd given me the silent treatment for an entire week. After that, I'd never dared send him another voice message.Yet here he was, playing Tessa's messages over and over. "How's the ring? Does Claire like it? See? I told you, Claire and I wear the same ring size! I tried it on myself, so I knew it would fit! So, how are you going to thank

Third-Person POV"Claire! Claire, you're back!" Ethan hurried to the door, only for his smile to disappear when he opened it.It was Tessa."What are you doing here?" The disappointment in his voice was obvious."There's a leak at my place. Mind if I stay here for a bit?" Tessa looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes."Suit yourself." Ethan turned and walked away, looking dejected.As Tessa stepped inside, she noticed the diamond ring on the entryway table. "Why's the ring here? Where's Claire?"The mention of Claire made Ethan's chest ache. He didn't answer. Instead, he downed his glass of water.Tessa took his silence as an opportunity to slip the ring onto her own finger, turning her hand this way and that to admire it.She sat close beside him, resting a hand on his chest and slowly running her fingers over it."Ethan," she purred, "if Claire's gone, I'll marry you."Ethan flinched. "What did you just say?"Thinking he was simply overwhelmed with excitement, Tessa lea

Claire's POV"Claire! I've come to take you home!"By the time I saw Ethan again, he'd lost a lot of weight. His wrinkled jacket hung off his thin frame, his hair was a mess, and there were dark circles under his eyes.He looked like he hadn't slept properly in weeks.When I barely reacted to his arrival, he rushed to explain."Claire, I'm sorry. I only got involved with Tessa because I got caught up in the excitement. It was something new and different, that's all. I swear, you're the only woman I've ever loved."He placed his hand on his heart, as though swearing an oath.I didn't stop what I was doing. I just kept arranging products on the shelves. "Ethan, we can't go back to the way things were. Please leave. You're wasting your time."I spoke softly, but he heard me perfectly.He instinctively leaned closer, turning his right ear toward me, desperate to catch every word. "Please, Claire. Forgive me just this once. We've been together for seven years. How can you just thro