The Billionaire Fired the Hospital Cleaner — Then Discovered She Was the Research Genius Behind His Greatest Breakthrough
Chapter 9
The relationship eventually became public.
There was gossip.
Some people claimed Claire had used her position.
Others claimed Ethan had promoted her because he was in love.
Both were wrong.
Claire’s work had been documented long before the relationship.
Independent committees reviewed her research.
The science stood on its own.
Still, the pressure was intense.
Claire considered leaving.
Ethan refused to stop her.
Instead, he offered complete independence.
“If you want your own company, I’ll fund nothing.”
She stared.
“That’s harsh.”
“It’s fair.”
He smiled.
“You need to know your success is yours.”
So Claire created Bennett Research.
She owned it.
She controlled it.
Blackwell became a partner, not an owner.
Their relationship survived the separation.
In fact, it became stronger.
Claire realized Ethan wasn’t trying to possess her.
He wanted her to remain herself.
One evening, she asked:
“Why do you love me?”
He looked at her.
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Because you’re the first person who challenged me without wanting something.”
She smiled.
“That’s ironic.”
“Why?”
“You fired me.”
He laughed.
“That was one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done.”
“Agreed.”
She leaned against him.
“And I love you because you gave me a reason to believe my life didn’t end when Michael died.”
Ethan became quiet.
“You don’t have to forget him.”
“I know.”
“Do you still love him?”
She nodded.
“Part of me always will.”
Ethan smiled.
“I respect that.”
She looked at him.
“You’re not jealous?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because loving someone who died doesn’t leave less room for someone living.”
Claire kissed him.
That sentence healed something she hadn’t known was still broken.
