he sabotage was the

h a clipboard and a sour expression. He claimed the

e watched as the inspector made a show of finding "evidence," a few droppings that looked suspiciously fresh, almost

cold feeling spreading through his gut. This was not a random in

er laugh rise

control and perfection, was being taken down by a lie about filth. He had chased gre

he knew it was useless. He was a chef from a humble background against the power and

s apron, handi

he kitchen, ignoring the worried looks from his staff. He knew what he had t

feren

d-fired oven. An ember. A symbol of what he had built, now turning to ash. He put the

avish hotel where the

entrance, the place where delivery trucks and staff came and we

h air before the ceremony. She was a vision in white, a dress that probably cost more t

ing here? You shouldn't be here." Her eyes, however, were not concerned. They

simply walked towards her and held out the small box. "

yes of her bridesmaids on him, judging him, dismissing him. He saw the flicke

here was a form of

unition they needed to destroy him completely. He thought of his team back at Ember, their jobs now hanging by a thread because of his acti

e went back inside, laughing with her f

pass it to an assistant without a second glance, like it was a piece of trash. The image was burned into

t, the atmosphere was

er. The lunch service was a disaster, with half the staff distracted a

ers, his voice steady and professional, but his hands felt clumsy, his moveme

, the specific scent of her perfume, a cus

A heavy, expensive scent that smelled of money and someone else's taste. He

used to lace through his, was gone. She was

hotel, his phone had buzz

Ethan. But you have to understand.

ter about her betrayal. He didn't reply. He just stood on the street corner, feeling the weight of her words, the fin