Chapter 3

I moved around my room, a ghost in my own life.

Each item I touched was a memory.

A framed photo of me and the girls, laughing, from a summer vacation years ago.

I took it out of the frame, tore it into small pieces, and dropped them into the trash can.

The championship medal from junior year.

It clinked as it hit the bottom of the bin.

Letters from Chloe, full of promises and dreams.

I didn't even read them. Just tossed them in.

One by one, pieces of my past joined the growing pile of refuse.

There was a coldness in me now, a detachment.

It was easier this way.

Coach Henderson's office was quiet when I went to tell him.

He already knew.

The girls, or maybe Chloe, had been quick.

"Ethan," he said, his face etched with a discomfort that wasn't quite sympathy. "I heard."

I nodded. "Liam can have the spot. I'm not playing."

He looked down at his desk. "He's... enthusiastic."

An understatement.

"I'm leaving town, Coach. After graduation next week."

He finally met my eyes. "Oregon, I hear? Coach Thompson called me. Said he's got a partial academic scholarship lined up for you at that small college he's at now. Good man, Thompson. Always believed in you."

"Yeah," I said. "It's a way out."

He nodded slowly. "Well, son. I wish you... luck."

It felt like a dismissal.

I walked out, the sun too bright, the air too thick.

As I neared my truck, a sleek black SUV pulled up beside me.

The window rolled down.

Two large men in dark suits looked out. Chloe's father's security.

Men who used to nod at me, call me by my first name, treat me like part of the Davis family.

Now, their faces were impassive.

"Mr. Miller," one of them said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Ms. Davis would like to see you. Please come with us."

It wasn't a request.

I thought about refusing, about just getting in my truck and driving away.

But what was the point?

More drama. More conflict.

I just wanted it to be over.

I got into the back of the SUV.

The leather seats felt cold.

Chloe used to promise me the world.

"We'll have a big house, Ethan," she'd say, her eyes sparkling. "A dog, maybe two. And you'll be a star."

Now, I was just... Ethan Miller.

The guy she used to know.

The guy who was no longer privileged.

They drove me to the town's community center.

There was a banner strung across the entrance: "CONGRATULATIONS LIAM WALKER! OUR NEW HOMETOWN HERO!"

My stomach churned.

Inside, a small crowd was gathered.

My adoptive mother, her face beaming. My sisters, fussing over Liam.

And Liam himself, standing on a small makeshift stage, a microphone in his hand, a triumphant smirk on his face.

He was wearing my old letterman jacket.

The one Savannah had insisted on keeping pristine.

Chloe stood beside him, her hand on his arm, looking up at him with adoration.

The same look she used to give me.

Liam caught my eye as I was escorted in.

His smirk widened. He winked.

Then he turned back to the microphone.

"I just want to thank everyone," he said, his voice thick with false emotion. "For believing in me. Especially my amazing sisters, and my wonderful mother." He paused, looking at Chloe. "And to Chloe, for showing me what true support feels like."

A few people clapped.

My sisters beamed. Chloe blushed.

He then looked towards me, a flicker of something nasty in his eyes.

"It's a shame Ethan couldn't be here to share this moment in good spirits. I know he's been... struggling."

He made it sound like I was the bad guy, the sore loser.

Chloe and the sisters looked at me, their expressions a mixture of pity and disapproval.

Like I was the one causing trouble.

I just stood there, by the door, flanked by Chloe's father's men.

An outsider at my own execution.

I raised my voice, just enough to be heard.

"Enjoy the jacket, Liam. It looks good on you." My tone was flat, laced with a sarcasm I didn't bother to hide.

"And enjoy the game. It's all yours."

I looked at Chloe, then at my sisters, one by one.

"I'm leaving. For good. Don't look for me."

I turned and walked out, the guards parting to let me pass.

This time, no one tried to stop me.