Chapter 4

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped into Ethan's downtown apartment, a space that once felt like a sanctuary now seemed foreign and cold. I hoped the evening would bring a semblance of normalcy, a chance to celebrate my birthday amidst the chaos that had engulfed my life. But as I crossed the threshold, the sight that greeted me shattered those hopes.

Ethan stood in the kitchen, his focus entirely on Olivia, who lounged at the counter, her presence a constant reminder of the betrayal that had unraveled my world. The air was thick with the aroma of spices,…