Chapter 4

I started packing a bag that afternoon. Just essentials.

Sarah watched me, a mixture of anger and confusion on her face.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll find a place," I said. "My lawyer will be in touch about the townhouse."

I called her later from a motel. "I've moved out, Sarah. You'll be served with legal papers regarding the townhouse soon."

Her voice was cold. "You're actually doing this."

"Yes," I said.

"You're making a huge mistake," she seethed. "You're going to destroy my reputation! People will think you abandoned me!"

"Let them think what they want," I said. For the first time in days, I felt a sliver of something like satisfaction. I was finally taking control.

The next day, I met with a lawyer Mr. Thompson recommended. She was sharp, efficient.

"Your case for the townhouse is strong, Mr. Anderson... I mean, Ethan," she said, correcting herself quickly. Mr. Thompson had briefed her. "The paper trail is clear."

The relief was immense.

A few days later, I was in my cramped office at the community college, trying to grade papers, when the commotion started.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller stood in the hallway, their faces flushed. David was with them, looking somber.

"There he is!" Mrs. Miller cried, pointing at me. "The man who abandoned our daughter!"

Students and faculty members were stopping, staring.

"How could you do this to Sarah?" Mr. Miller boomed. "After everything we've done for you?"

Done for me? I barely registered in their world until I became an obstacle.

David stepped forward, his voice filled with false concern. "Ethan, we just want to understand. Sarah is devastated. You're jeopardizing my one shot at success, the app that could support Michael."

He was playing the victim, perfectly.

I stood up, my hands clenched. "This is a private matter," I said, my voice low. "And this is my workplace."

"Private?" Mrs. Miller scoffed. "You made it public when you humiliated our family!"

Just then, Sarah arrived. And she wasn't alone.

Mr. Henderson, the CEO of the tech startup where she worked, was with her, looking stern.

"Mr. Henderson," Sarah said, her voice trembling with feigned distress, "this is him. Ethan. He's been emotionally abusing me, and now he's trying to defraud me of my home."

Defraud her? My home?

Henderson looked at me with disapproval. "Professor, your personal issues shouldn't spill into your professional life or cause public disturbances."

Sarah pressed on. "I want you to talk to the Dean, Mr. Henderson. His behavior is unprofessional. He needs to be disciplined."

David chimed in, "He claims he's broke, but he's trying to take the roof from over Sarah's head, and Michael's."

Broke. If only they knew. I almost smiled.