Chapter 3

The next evening, I was on the balcony of my Austin penthouse, a glass of bourbon in hand.

The city lights spread out below.

Then I heard it. The distinct, almost silent hum of an electric motor, but one I now recognized with a sickening familiarity.

The Lucid Air Sapphire pulled up to the valet stand of the high-rise across the street.

Liam Miller got out, impeccably dressed.

He walked around, opened the passenger door with a flourish.

Olivia emerged, stunning in a dark green dress. She smiled at him, a genuine, warm smile I hadn't seen directed at me in months.

He said something. She laughed, touching his arm lightly.

They walked into the building, side-by-side.

My phone lit up. Instagram notification.

Liam Miller. Again.

A new post. A selfie.

Him in the driver's seat of the Lucid, Olivia visible in the passenger seat, looking out her window, a soft smile on her face.

The caption: "Taking the best COO to her networking event. Some evenings, even Austin traffic feels sweet. #WorkPerks #InnovateLife #BossLady."

The casual intimacy of the photo, the possessive tone of the caption.

It was a deliberate poke.

I finished my bourbon in one gulp.

Later that night, Olivia came home.

She found me in the living room, the lights dim.

"You're still up?" she asked, kicking off her heels.

"Saw you earlier," I said. "You and Liam looked cozy."

She sighed, massaging her temples. "Ethan, please. He drove me to an event. That's his job."

"His job description includes late-night tête-à-têtes and Instagram fan posts now?"

"He admires my work ethic," she said, her voice rising. "He's supportive. Unlike some people."

The indirect jab landed.

"That car, Olivia. The Lucid. It's not a company car. It's mine. He's driving my car, with you, flaunting it."

"Oh, for God's sake, Ethan! It's a vehicle! You're acting like I gave away a kidney!"

"To me, it's not 'just a vehicle'," I said, keeping my voice level. "It was something I was looking forward to. Something personal. And you gave it to *him*."

Liam chose that moment to text Olivia. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, screen lighting up.

His name. A heart emoji next to it.

She snatched it up.

"He's just confirming my schedule for tomorrow," she said, too quickly.

"Right." I stood up. "I told him yesterday he could pick any of my other cars. He hasn't taken me up on the offer. Maybe you can remind him. But tell him this, Olivia: an assistant needs to know his place. And he's way out of line."

Her eyes flashed. "Liam is a professional. And a friend."

"Is he?" I walked towards the bedroom. "Or is he just very good at managing you?"

She didn't answer.

The silence was heavy, suffocating.