t ye

I'd been wit

ng our fourth anniversary. He'd smiled, a little too much wine i

age, of a future, became a ghost in our

gned buildings meant to last. My life with E

ouldn't have stood for this. But my confidence, it wasn't what i

eal in New York. The kind of event Ethan, with his "sustaina

, an art-deco piece, unique and b

out donating it

aid, his voice smooth. "It's great PR for

I watched from our table as

n started

er eyes wide. She was the master of looking innocent. She whisper

d. Higher and h

ndant was a piece of my gra

oneer cried. "To

ripple of

. This incredible piece... I'd like to gift it to someone v

Chloe. He fastened the sapp

touched the pendant, her eyes fl

elt hot, s

e, a triumphant look on his

never owned anything beautiful. You understand, righ

. My grandmother's legacy

. My legs

," I manag

room, my heart pounding.

rembled as I scrolled to a name I h

He'd seen something in me, he said. Later, he'd offered me a busine

ne rang

as calm, deep. Jus

"That offer you once made... the business par

"Ava, forget

decisive. "Ditch t

tilted. Marry him? A man I barely kne

e stre

reath. A deep, s

I said

e exit, his brow furro

are. Are you oka

The charm, the carefully constructed

I said, my

g on his lips. Chloe, no doubt, sending him a pic

one, his attention

self to ask. "What about

we're still young! Let's not rus

ided m

ded Lily. It's a celebration of our success... and your generosity at the auctio

added, though his to

ell," I said. "I t

Get some rest." He leaned in for a kiss, but

hurried off, proba

e one Ethan and I shared,

t friend since college. A tenacious investi

s a v

ssed

n, drink in hand, leaning conspiratoriall

slurred, but his

boasted, a stupid grin on his face.

ideo

at the bl

e

years, I was

ntern