Chapter 4

A few days later, Maya visited Professor Albright, her old mentor from Columbia. He'd always been a champion of her work.

She needed to tie up loose ends, to say goodbye in her own way.

Professor Albright was delighted to see her. He asked about her latest sustainable tech projects.

Then, he smiled. "Ethan called me last week, you know."

Maya tensed. "Oh?"

"Yes. He wanted to discuss setting up a new scholarship fund for underprivileged students in the computer science department. In your name, of course." Professor Albright beamed. "He said, 'Maya is the most brilliant mind I know. I want to help other young people like her get their chance.' Such a devoted man, your Ethan."

Maya felt a wave of confusion. Devotion. It was the word everyone used for Ethan.

He could be so convincingly sincere. Funding a scholarship. Funding the literacy center.

Was it all a lie? Or was he capable of holding these two opposing truths in his heart? Loving her, and loving Chloe and his sons?

Later that day, Maya was in their bedroom. Ethan was in the shower.

She saw his keychain on the dresser. Next to the keys to their home, his cars, was a small, silver charm. A tiny, intricately carved letter 'M'. He'd given her a matching one.

Then she saw it. Tucked behind the 'M' charm, almost hidden, were two other, smaller charms. An 'A' and an 'L'. Alex and Leo. His sons.

He carried them all with him. Maya, Alex, Leo.

A chill went down her spine. He wasn't choosing. He was trying to have it all.

Ethan came out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist. He saw her looking at the keychain.

He smiled, coming over to hug her from behind. "Thinking of me, angel?"

He kissed her neck. "I was thinking today... what if we took that trip to the San Juan Islands? Just us. Rent a cabin, go kayaking. Remember how much you loved it there?"

Maya's heart pounded. The San Juan Islands. Remote. Water. Perfect.

It was as if he was handing her the escape plan on a silver platter.

"I... I'd like that, Ethan," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "A solo trip, maybe? A wellness retreat. I need some time to clear my head."

He frowned. "Solo? Why solo? I'll come with you."

"No, Ethan, please." She turned to face him. "I just need some time for myself. To think. About us. About everything."

He looked hurt. "Is something wrong, Maya? Are you unhappy?"

His eyes were filled with such genuine concern. It was terrifying.

"No, not unhappy. Just... contemplative." She forced a smile. "A week. Just one week. Please."

He searched her face. Then he sighed. "Okay, angel. If that's what you need. One week."

He pulled her close. "But I'll miss you every second."

That night, Maya couldn't sleep. She got out of bed, went to the living room.

She gathered all the framed photos of her and Ethan. The wedding photos, vacation snapshots, candid moments.

She took them to the fireplace.

She lit a match.

She watched their smiling faces burn. Watched their perfect past turn to ash.

A floorboard creaked. Ethan stood in the doorway, his face pale.

"Maya? What are you doing?" He rushed to the fireplace, trying to salvage a half-burnt photo.

His hand was shaking. "Why would you do this?"

"Spring cleaning," Maya said, her voice cold. "Getting rid of things that don't matter anymore."

He looked at her, his eyes filled with pain and confusion. "We matter, Maya. You matter to me."

She almost wavered. Almost.

Then her phone, lying on the coffee table, lit up with a new message. She'd forgotten to block the latest unknown number Chloe had used.

Ethan saw it too. He picked up her phone before she could.

His face tightened as he read the message. It was a photo of Chloe, wearing one of Maya's favorite necklaces, a gift from Ethan. Chloe was smirking at the camera. The text read: *"He has excellent taste, doesn't he? It looks better on me, I think."*

Ethan's hand clenched around the phone. He looked from the phone to Maya, then back to the dying fire.

He didn't say anything about Chloe's message. He didn't defend himself.

He just looked broken.

"I... I have an early meeting," he mumbled, turning away. "With Chloe's father. About the foundation."

He walked out of the room.

Maya stared at his retreating back. He was going to Chloe. Even now.

She closed her eyes. A single tear escaped.

"Goodbye, Ethan," she whispered to the empty room. Her "wellness retreat" was booked. Zoe was already working on the logistics.

The kayaking accident in the San Juan Islands would be tragic. Devastating.

And Maya Rodriguez would be free.