house that was bought with money from a game I developed before meeting Chloe, a house that

o build a life on my own terms, without a ghost of

ur new company on a napkin. We were alive with energy, the way we were i

swung open, and th

power suit and into expensive jeans and a silk blouse, a calculated attempt at look

I was here? Then I remembered the old me, the pre

o come to me. I stood up

Chloe?" I asked, my

sdain. "This is where you' re celebra

I said. "Something y

to re-establish the old dynamic where she set the rules.

is no 'we' anymore. And you'

Fine. What will it take to make you stop this ridiculous charade? Name your price. I' ll

a profound sense of pity. She really believed everything, and everyone,

been hurt. The new me

money, Chloe," I s

" she demanded, her voi

to leave," I

back to the booth, leaving her stan

could feel her eyes on me, burning with a mixture of disbelief and rage. I d

ould hear their unspoken shock. The old Ethan would never have done this. He wou

aling a woman who had just realized all her weapons-her money, her power, her intimidation-w

napkin, but my mind

ay, my law

nge. "I have some news about your

s it?"

rriage records to prepare the pa

hat do you mean, yo

d every other state I' ve checked, you and Chloe Davis were never legally married.