Chapter 2

Olivia woke the next morning feeling a lightness she hadn' t experienced in years.

The five-year cage was opening.

Soon, she' d be in Austin. Soon, she' d meet Noah.

A new life, or at least, a life where Michael' s echo might feel more real.

She heard voices downstairs. Ethan' s, and another, higher, more demanding. Chloe.

She descended the grand staircase to find Ethan in the foyer, looking apologetic.

Chloe stood beside him, luggage at her feet, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

"Liv, darling," Chloe said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Ethan insisted I move in. With the divorce and all, he needs my support."

Ethan held out a small, velvet jeweler' s box to Olivia. "A little something. For the inconvenience."

Olivia looked at the box, then at Chloe.

"No, thank you, Ethan," she said, her voice calm. "Chloe can have my room. It will be hers permanently soon enough."

Chloe' s eyes narrowed. "What' s that supposed to mean?"

Ethan had always favored Chloe.

Throughout their five-year marriage, Chloe' s needs, Chloe' s dramas, Chloe' s desires had always come first.

Liv had been a fixture, a part of the Walker-Cole merger, but never a priority.

Chloe, barely out of her teens when Liv and Ethan married, had blossomed into a beautiful, spoiled young woman who clung to Ethan with an unnerving possessiveness.

"Ethan, honey," Chloe cooed now, linking her arm through his. "Take me shopping. I need a whole new wardrobe for my new, expanded social life here."

Olivia watched them, a ghost in her own home.

"Yes, Ethan," Olivia said, her voice even. "Go with Chloe."

He looked relieved to escape the tension.

Olivia spent the day in her study, carefully packing Michael' s sketches and photographs.

Each item was a piece of her heart.

She was ready to leave this cold, opulent house.

Later, she overheard Chloe in the hallway, her voice sharp, demanding.

"You have to stay with me tonight, Ethan. I' m scared in this big house."

Ethan' s voice was low, placating. "Chloe, I can' t. I' m still married. It wouldn' t be right."

A pause.

"But you know I love you, Chlo. More than anyone."

Olivia closed her eyes. His words didn' t sting anymore. They were just a fact, like the color of the sky.

Ethan came into her study much later. He saw the packed boxes.

"Moving offices within the house?" he asked, a slight frown.

"Something like that," Olivia said, not meeting his eyes.

He came closer, his scent filling the small space. He reached for her.

"Liv," he began, his voice softer than usual.

She turned to him. "Why, Ethan? Chloe is just down the hall, expecting you."