Chapter 2 2

The white ceiling of the hospital room swam into focus.

My shoulder throbbed.

Not as much as my heart.

Red and blue lights flashed outside the window, painting the sterile walls.

The joyful music of my wedding was replaced by the harsh static of police radios.

I remembered Ethan's face, cold, distant.

My father's crumpled body.

A sob escaped me.

Where was Ethan? He should be here.

Even if he arrested my father, he wouldn't just leave me.

A sharp-faced woman in a suit entered. Agent Ramirez, her badge read.

"Ava Reynolds?"

I nodded, my throat tight.

"We need to ask you some questions about your father's activities."

Her voice was flat, devoid of sympathy.

"Specifically, about his dealings around the anniversary of your mother's death."

My mother.

Her hiking accident in the Sonoran Desert. Years ago.

Why bring her up now?

"Was Ethan... was he hurt?" I asked, a desperate, foolish hope.

Ramirez looked at me, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.

"Agent Brooks is fine. He's dedicated to his work."

The words were a slap. Agent Brooks. Not Ethan.

"He has a real life, Ms. Reynolds. Commitments within the DEA."

Real life.

So I was the fake one.

"Does he... does he have someone else?" The question was a whisper, shameful.

I needed to know how complete the lie was.

Ramirez's expression didn't change.

"Agent Brooks is a professional. His personal life is his own."

But her eyes said more. They said, yes, of course he does, you fool.