Chapter 6 The Rift

The following morning, Ethan came in exactly at 7:58, just like always. But the moment he saw the expression on Talia's face, he knew something was wrong.

She handed him his Americano-no sugar-with trembling fingers. She didn't smile. Didn't joke. Didn't even meet his eyes.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

She nodded toward the newspaper folded on the counter. The headline was bold, glaring:

"BLAKE ENTERPRISES FINALIZES LONDON MERGER-CEO TO RELOCATE"

Ethan sighed, running a hand down his jaw. "Talia-"

"You lied," she said, voice clipped.

"I didn't lie. I just hadn't told you yet."

"You knew this was coming. You sat here every morning like you weren't planning to leave."

"I didn't want to ruin what we had."

"What we had?" Her voice rose slightly. "Is that what this was? A temporary detour before your next boardroom?"

He stood silent.

"You say you like quiet, Ethan. But maybe you just like distance. No attachments. No truth."

"That's not fair."

"What's not fair is letting me believe we were building something. What's not fair is making me feel like I mattered, and then pretending like London isn't the end."

He stepped forward. "I didn't want to lose you."

"You never had me," she whispered.

And then, for the first time since he'd walked into her life, Ethan Blake left without his coffee.

And without looking back.