ted titan of LA's corporate law scene, stared at the slee

criminal defense world, was probably charming some j

n, his old partner at Apex Legal

void of the gentle tone he used a

Miller? Or is this th

om for discussion. "And I need you to fil

bout damn time, Rex. On both counts. Apex has

ction. "I' ve missed it t

f his life slamming shut with

perfect, supportive spouse. He' d cooked, cleaned, managed her schedule, endured her friends, and the constant, subtle comparisons to Julian Vance,

, briefcase in hand, a preoccupied frow

asked, his voice

Julian called. He needs help with a contract disp

ightening in his chest.

r specialty?" he asked,

as if that explained ev

her three years. He' d given her his silence, his support, his hidde

a pre-packed suitcase from the back of the closet. It wasn't much. His life a

had emailed him minutes after their call.

d as she talked to Julian. Ethan could hear snippets from the li

g a lull in her call. She was sippin

a," he

ce in her eyes at the interruption.

the coffee table in front

ion already drifting back to her sc

He turned and walked back to the office, picke

n't lo

zzed. A text

his, Ethan

cab, heading to the airport. Los An

y attend weeks ago. He' d almost cancelled his flight, but a morbid curiosity, a need for o

of Olivia's col

ance, isn't she? Taking his contract case

n, she' s always had a blind spot. Poor Ethan,

ightened. A sa

found him. She

you. Julian' s here. He wanted to thank you fo

st looke

y bright. She leaned in, her hand on his

and kissed him. It was pe

her voice soft, "Oh, Julian, you

o she was kissing. A faint blush rose

. The name she' d whisp

ulled out a pen and another copy of the

id, his voice f

confusion warring with the alcohol in h

" he said. "J

re funny, Ethan." But she took the pen. Her hand wa

ing the papers back. "H

m, and her face lit up. She walked towards him,

cold, hollow ache. He put the

re would be no