Ethan's eyes widened, scanning the papers.
Seconds later, his body moved uncontrollably, grabbing a pen to sign!

What the hell?
He didn't want to sign!
As he fought his hands, a sharp pain stabbed his heart, like a venomous bite, draining his strength.
When he came to, the papers were signed.
He cursed.
His body acted on its own!

Ethan watched helplessly as he walked to Clara.
Clara, back turned, was doing something.
Vaguely, Ethan saw her swallow something dark.
His feet carried him to her. He grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around!

"Ah!"

Clara screamed.
Her open mouth revealed a creature inside.
A spell creature!
Ethan's eyes widened.
A creepy feeling hit.
"What's that?"
Clara looked panicked, but her mouth confessed,"It's my spell creature."
"What!"
Ethan jolted, then reacted, gripping her shoulders, veins bulging."You can cast spells? When did you learn this?"
Clara's eyes reddened, shaking her head, but her words betrayed her.
"I... learned it abroad."
Ethan's mind reeled, like it'd been smashed.
Recalling his overwhelming love for Clara, he glared, demanding, "Did you cast a love spell on me!?"
He asked, but his knew deep inside.
Clara admitted sharply,"Yes!"
Ethan closed his eyes.
Regret surged like a tidal wave, engulfing him.
He'd been wrong.
Clara cast the love spell.
Anna was innocent...
He pictured Anna's terrified face the night of her assault, and bile rose in his throat.
He had destroyed everything—his marriage, their unborn child, and his own shattered heart.
"Ethan, I didn't! Believe me, I didn't mean those words!"

Clara sobbed, rushing into his arms."We're truly in love, remember?"
Memories surfaced, but Ethan shoved her away.
"I remember!You chose money over me!"
"Clara,you left—stay gone! True love? I stopped loving you long ago! I only love Anna!"

Thinking of Anna's signed divorce papers, sadness hit. He glared, teeth gritted."Anna and I were happy and we were going to have a baby. You ruined it all!"
Clara bit her lip, laughing through tears. "If you'd been braver and come abroad with me, would we be here?"
"Ruined by me? I chased love—what's wrong with that!"
"Chased love!? Do you know how much Anna suffered because of your lies? She's just a girl afraid of pain..."
Clara fell silent.
As they faced off, a spell creature crawled from Clara's nose, carrying another.
She realized instantly.