Chapter 2

Later that night, the silence in our expensive Austin condo was deafening. Ethan hadn't come home.

I found the contact information for the best luthier in Texas, a man known for restoring historic instruments. The quote he gave me over the phone was staggering, enough to buy a new luxury car.

I sent the invoice to Sabrina's email. Then I called Ethan.

He didn't pick up.

I called again.

And again.

On the fifth try, a woman's voice answered. It was soft, sleepy, and smug.

"Hello?"

It was Sabrina.

"Where is Ethan?" I asked, my voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"He's sleeping," she purred. "He had a very long, very... stressful day. He needed to unwind."

I could hear the rustle of sheets in the background. My stomach churned.

"Put him on the phone."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Sabrina said, her voice laced with mock concern. "You'll just upset him. He told me how you overreacted about that silly guitar. You really need to learn to let things go, Jocelyn."

"Tell him Sabrina needs to pay for the restoration," I said, my voice like ice. "I sent her the bill."

Sabrina laughed, a high, tinkling sound. "Pay for it? With what? An intern's salary? You're delusional. Ethan said he'll buy me a new one, a better one. He said your taste was old-fashioned anyway."

Before I could respond, the line went dead.

She had hung up on me.

I sat there in the dark, the phone in my hand feeling like a block of ice. The betrayal was so complete, so absolute, it left no room for tears. There was only a cold, hard certainty forming in my chest.

He had made his choice.

Now, I would make mine.