Chapter 2

Dawn broke, gray and unforgiving.

Sarah heard his car pull up, the quiet rumble familiar and sickening.

Ethan crept upstairs, easing their bedroom door open. He froze when he saw her awake, sitting up in bed.

"Sweetheart, why are you up so early?"

His voice was soft, laced with feigned concern.

"Couldn't sleep." Her own voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

"What's wrong?" Concern flooded his eyes as he rushed to her side, trying to embrace her.

She didn't flinch away, not yet.

"Were you upset I was away so much?"

She nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement.

He cooed, stroking her hair. "My fault, all mine. I'm clearing my schedule today, just you and me."

She looked up at him, leaning in as if for a kiss.

He lowered his head, a smug little smile playing on his lips.

At the last second, she turned, her hand "accidentally" brushing his collar.

"Ethan, you've got something on you."

A faint smudge of red lipstick, just visible against the white fabric.

His breath hitched, a tiny, tell-tale sound.

Years as a top lawyer had taught him composure. He smiled, a wide, charming smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Rushed back to you, didn't even notice. I'll shower right away." He stroked her hair again.

She said nothing, watching him retreat to his bathroom. He thought he was smooth, but she saw the fine beads of sweat on his brow.

The water started running in his bathroom.

Sarah heard his hushed, angry voice through the door.

"I told you not to contact me for a bit! If Sarah finds out, you're done."

A pause, then Jessica's whining voice, faint but audible.

"But I bought that black lace teddy you love... don't you want to see it?"

Ethan hung up, his breathing heavy. The sound of the cold water faucet cranked to full blast followed.

Sarah closed her eyes. The disgust was a physical weight in her chest.

After lunch, Ethan, all enthusiasm, suggested a walk through a trendy food truck festival downtown.

The bustling crowd, the smell of diverse foods, momentarily eased the turmoil inside Sarah.

Ethan carried various snacks, urging her to eat, playing the doting husband.

They passed an old oak tree in a quiet corner of a park, its thick trunk covered in carved initials, hearts, and declarations of love.

"Sweetheart, want to add ours?" Ethan asked, his arm around her shoulder.

She was about to decline, the idea repulsive, when his phone rang.

Jessica' s custom ringtone, a sickeningly sweet pop song.

He hastily silenced it, his eyes darting to Sarah. It rang again, insistent.

"Go on, answer it," Sarah said, her voice surprisingly calm.

Ethan took the call, annoyance etched on his face.

"I said I'm with my wife today, don't call unless it's an emergency!"

Whatever Jessica said on the other end made his breath catch, a flicker of raw desire in his eyes that he quickly masked.

He turned to Sarah, feigning regret, his face a mask of apology.

"So sorry, sweetheart, a major case just blew up, I have to go deal with it."

"Work comes first," Sarah replied, suppressing a wave of nausea.

He kissed her cheek, a quick, dismissive peck, and hurried off.

Sarah watched him go, then her eyes drifted up the ancient oak.

High on a branch, almost hidden by leaves, were their initials, carved years ago: [E.C. + S.M. = ∞] .

She remembered Ethan' s passionate words that day, "May we walk this path together, forever, my North Star."

She had believed in those fairy tales then, believed in his promises.

Now, the promise was as rotten as their marriage, the carving a scar on the innocent tree.

She mentally erased it, turned her back on the tree, and walked away.

The memory of his touch, his words, felt like ash in her mouth.