Chapter 2

The image of Ethan pocketing that pen burned in Ava's mind.

He'd once told her that pen symbolized his ambition, his clean start, a gift from her when he landed his first major investor.

Now it symbolized something else entirely.

Ava remembered clearly, the previous year, Chloe had cornered Ethan at a conference hotel in Miami, claiming she was stranded.

Ethan had called security immediately, had her escorted out, and even filed a restraining order, though he later dropped it, saying Chloe seemed "genuinely remorseful and just a kid."

His decisiveness then was a stark contrast to his weak plea for Ava to "handle" Chloe in his office.

Ava sat in her car, the prenup heavy in her purse.

She made a call.

"Liam Walker, please."

Liam, a venture capitalist, sharp, influential, and Ethan's biggest business rival.

They knew each other from college, Liam had always been a quiet admirer of Ava, a fact Ethan resented.

"Ava Miller," Liam's voice was smooth, unsurprised. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Business, Liam," Ava said, her voice steady. "I might have a significant stake in Ethan's company to sell soon. Are you interested in a controlling share?"

A pause.

"Very interested, Ava. Let's talk when you're ready."

That evening, Ethan came home with a velvet box.

Inside was an expensive watch, one Ava had idly admired months ago.

An anniversary gift.

"Happy anniversary, Ava," he said, trying for a smile.

It didn't reach his eyes.

Ava handed him a sleek, silver gift box.

"Happy anniversary, Ethan. Open it in seven days."

Inside were the divorce papers, signed, citing the infidelity clause of their prenup.

They were driving to their anniversary dinner reservation, a tense silence filling the car.

Ethan's phone rang.

Chloe's name flashed on the screen.

He ignored it.

It rang again.

And again.

"Just answer it, Ethan," Ava said, her voice flat.

He sighed, annoyed, and picked up. "Chloe, I'm busy."

Chloe's voice, shrill and panicked, came through the speaker. "Ethan! Someone's following me! They've been behind me for blocks, I'm scared!"

Ethan, initially irritated, grew agitated. "Where are you? Are you sure?"

Suddenly, a car swerved wildly into their lane, headlights blinding them.

Ethan wrenched the wheel, their car screeching, hitting the guardrail with a sickening crunch.

Airbags deployed.

Ava's head slammed against the window.

Dazed, she tasted blood.

Ethan, after a quick, "Ava, you okay?" scrambled out, his phone already to his ear.

"Chloe! Stay on the line! I'm coming!"

He ran off into the darkness, leaving Ava, moderately injured, her ribs screaming in pain, by the side of the wrecked car.

Ava woke up in a hospital bed, fractured ribs aching with every breath.

Ethan was there, looking superficially remorseful, his shirt slightly rumpled.

"Ava, I'm so sorry, the doctor said you'll be okay, just some broken ribs."

She looked at him, her gaze cold.

Then she saw it, a fresh, purplish hickey blooming on his neck, just above his collar.

He'd been with Chloe after leaving her by the roadside.

Her heart, already bruised, felt nothing but a dull ache.