Chapter 4

Back at my desk, I started packing my few personal belongings into a small box. A framed photo of my parents, a couple of art books, and a small, abstract clay sculpture Ethan had made for me in college. He'd said it symbolized our "unique world." The irony was bitter.

Suddenly, Isabella was there, a concerned frown on her face. "Ava, darling, are you okay? Ethan told me you were a little upset."

Before I could reply, she gasped dramatically. "Oh my god! The prototype! It's gone!"

She was referring to Innovatech's latest project, a new wearable tech device, supposedly revolutionary. She claimed she'd been working on it at her temporary desk, which was suspiciously close to mine.

Colleagues started to gather, drawn by her raised voice. "What's missing?" "The new AuraBand?" "Isabella just had it!" Whispers turned into accusations. "Maybe Ava took it. She's leaving, angry."

Ethan rushed over, all business and concern for Isabella. "What happened?"

"The AuraBand prototype, Ethan! It was right here! It's vanished!" Isabella clutched his arm, looking distressed.

Ethan's eyes, hard and accusing, landed on me. "Security! Search her belongings! And seal the exits!"

I stood frozen as two security guards approached. I allowed them to look through my handbag. Nothing. Then they turned to my box of personal items. As one guard lifted it, he "accidentally" fumbled, and the box crashed to the floor. My belongings scattered. The little clay sculpture Ethan had given me shattered into a dozen pieces, just like our unique world.

And there, amidst the broken clay and scattered books, lay the sleek, silver AuraBand prototype.

Isabella let out a small, triumphant gasp. "There it is! Oh, Ava, how could you?"

The office erupted. "She did steal it!" "Corporate espionage!" "What a snake!"

My face was pale, I could feel it. I knew this was a setup. Isabella's perfectly timed entrance, the conveniently dropped box.

Ethan picked up the prototype, his face a mask of fury. "Ava!" he roared. He strode towards me. He deliberately stepped on the largest piece of my shattered sculpture, grinding it under his heel.

Then, his hand came up. The slap echoed in the suddenly silent office. My cheek stung, my eyes welled up, but I wouldn't let them fall.

"Apologize to Isabella, now!" he seethed, his face inches from mine. "You tried to sabotage her, to sabotage this company!"

The pain in my cheek was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. He believed this. He believed I was a thief, a saboteur. After six years, this is what he thought of me. He valued Isabella's word, her fabricated distress, over any history we shared.

He grabbed my arm, trying to drag me towards Isabella. "Apologize!"

Isabella put on a show of false sympathy. "Oh, Ethan, don't be too hard on her. Maybe she just... made a mistake." A flash of triumph flickered in her eyes.

I wrenched my arm free. "I didn't steal anything," I said, my voice shaking but firm. "And that prototype is probably worth less than the coffee I buy you all every morning. Check the security footage. I want to see the footage from this area for the last hour."

Ethan's face tightened. He knew I hadn't taken it. He also knew I wouldn't back down easily. He grabbed my arm again, his fingers digging into my skin, and started pulling me towards the breakroom, away from the eyes of our colleagues. "You're making a scene, Ava!"

He was afraid. Afraid I'd mention our six years, afraid I'd expose him.