Chapter 2

The next morning, while Ethan was deep in some strategy session with Olivia, convinced Sarah was just pouting at home, Sarah called a moving company.

Her best friend, Chloe Davis, who ran the most popular independent coffee shop in their neighborhood, took the day off to help.

They packed Sarah's remaining clothes, her books, her life, into new boxes, taping them shut with a satisfying finality.

Chloe didn't say "I told you so," she just made sure Sarah drank water and handed her tissues when a few stray tears escaped.

By noon, Sarah's half of the apartment was empty, a ghost of her presence left behind.

She left the key on the kitchen counter, next to a copy of Ethan's favorite takeout menu, now useless to her.

She didn't leave a note.

There was nothing left to say.

A few weeks later, Sarah was slowly piecing her life back together.

She'd found a small apartment, closer to her marketing job, and was pouring her energy into a new campaign.

Chloe was her rock, dragging her to yoga, to movies, to try new restaurants, anything to keep the ghosts at bay.

Ethan, immersed in wooing Olivia and her firm, barely seemed to notice her absence beyond a few perfunctory texts asking where his spare cuff links were.

Then they crossed paths at an industry mixer Sarah had reluctantly attended for work.

Ethan was, of course, glued to Olivia's side.

Olivia, spotting Sarah across the crowded room, leaned in and whispered something to Ethan, then looked directly at Sarah with a cool, appraising stare.

As Sarah tried to navigate towards the exit, Olivia stepped into her path, a flute of champagne in her hand.

"Sarah, isn't it?" Olivia said, her voice smooth as silk, yet dripping with condescension.

"Still in marketing, I hear?"

"Quaint."

Ethan looked uncomfortable, expecting Sarah to dissolve into tears or make a scene.

He even put a tentative hand on Olivia's arm, as if to restrain her.

But Sarah just offered a small, polite smile.

"Olivia. Ethan. Excuse me."

She sidestepped them and walked away, head held high.

Chloe, who'd seen the whole exchange from the bar, gave her a thumbs-up.

Ethan watched her go, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes – confusion, maybe annoyance at her composure.

Olivia tugged his arm.

"Don't mind her, darling."

"Now, about that term sheet..."

He turned back to Olivia, but his gaze drifted towards the door Sarah had just exited, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

Olivia noticed, her smile tightening almost imperceptibly before she steered him towards the canapés, her grip on his arm a little firmer.