Chapter 4

I knew it—Ethan would never hurt me. He was too kind and gentle. He must have been scared out of his mind by all this.

I patted his back, trying to comfort him. "I'm okay, really. Don't worry, it's all a misunderstanding."

He looked up at me, his eyes red and bloodshot.

"I believe you," he said, cupping my face, his eyes full of pain and worry. "Jessica, you've been through so much. No matter what happens, I'll be right here with you."

I looked into his eyes—the same ones that used to make me feel like I could get lost in them forever, deep as the night sky.

But today, there was something unfamiliar flickering in that starry gaze.

It wasn't worry or pain. It was something... complicated. Like fear, or maybe... guilt.

My heart clenched again.

"Ethan," I said, looking him straight in the eye, "tell me—where were you that afternoon?"

He stiffened, his eyes darting away.

"I... I was at my studio. Didn't I already tell you that?" he stammered.

"Don't lie to me," I said, my tone turning icy. "The police already checked the surveillance footage around your studio. You left at two in the afternoon and didn't come back until seven. Where were you during those five hours?"

Mike had told me that Ethan's alibi had gaps.

Ethan's face drained of color in an instant.

He opened his mouth, like he wanted to explain, but in the end, he lowered his eyes, his voice so soft it was barely audible.

"I... I was in a bad mood that day, so I... I went out for a walk," he mumbled.

"A walk?" I sneered. "Where did you go that could possibly take five hours?"

"I..." Ethan stuttered, unable to string together a single sentence.

Ruby had had enough. She marched over, shoved Ethan out of the way, and planted herself between us. "Ethan, seriously, are you even a man? Jessica took the fall for you, and you can't even give her a straight answer?

"Don't you get it? You're the only one she can count on right now. If you tell them Sophie kept coming after you, Jessica could be charged with a crime of passion instead of premeditated murder. That changes everything for her."

"I didn't!" Ethan yelled, suddenly agitated. "Sophie never harassed me. We were friends. Stop smearing her—she's already gone."

His eyes were blazing red, like an enraged beast.

I looked at him, and coldness seeped into my bones.

The gentle, unblemished Ethan I once knew now seemed like he'd never existed at all.

The man before me felt utterly unfamiliar.

"So," I said, my voice chillingly calm, "not only are you refusing to stand up for me, but you're actually taking the side of the woman who ruined me?"

He looked at me, his lips parted, but in the end, he said nothing.

In that moment, it all clicked.

There was no scheme, no one trying to frame me.

It had been a setup from start to finish, a trap crafted by my beloved husband himself—one that left me with no way out.

My world came crashing down.

It wasn't a crack. It was like everything blew apart in an instant, obliterated so completely that not even a trace remained.

Everything I once took pride in—my career, my love, my dignity—became a cruel joke when Ethan said nothing.

I had no idea how I ended up at Ruby's place, or how I even managed to sit down on her couch.

My mind was a blank, and my ears were buzzing like a thousand bees were swarming inside my head.

Ruby made me a cup of hot chocolate and pressed it into my freezing hands.

"Go ahead and cry, it'll make you feel better," she said softly, her voice gentle and cautious.

I shook my head.

Cry?

Why should I cry? Was I supposed to shed tears for the guy who made a fool out of me for eight years?

He was not worth it.

I picked up the cup and downed the whole thing in one go.

The hot chocolate slid down my throat and into my stomach, warming me up a bit and helping me think straight again.

"Ruby," I said, setting the cup down and looking up at her. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Say the word," Ruby replied, sitting up straight.

"I need to see someone," I said.

My voice was steady, but every word felt like it was forced out between clenched teeth. "A private investigator. The best you can find. I don't care what it costs."

Ruby's eyes lit up. She knew exactly what I meant.

"No problem," Ruby said, grabbing her phone and dialing. "I know a guy—Knox Schaefer. He's a legend in the field. If the price is right, there's nothing he can't uncover."

"Money's no object," I replied.

I stared out at the gloomy sky, a cold smirk on my lips. "Have him dig up everything on Ethan—bank statements, call logs, hotel stays—from the day we met, all eight years. Don't let a single detail slip.

"And Sophie, too. I want the whole story—her connections, her family, how she got tangled up with Ethan. I want it all."

"No problem," Ruby said, ending the call with a snap. "He'll meet us in an hour at the Breeze Café."

"One more thing," I said, turning to Ruby. "Get the best lawyers from our firm together and set up a dedicated team for me."

Ruby blinked, surprised. "You're really going to take this case on yourself?"

"Who else? I wouldn't trust anyone else with this," I said, letting out a cold laugh. "They want to see me crash and burn? Well, I'm going to win this in style. I want everyone to see what happens when they cross me."

My voice wasn't loud, but it hit Ruby like a punch to the gut.

The old me she knew was always strong, but she'd never sensed this kind of lethal aura from me before.

She realized that the old me who once willingly hid all my sharp edges for love was gone.

Now, what stood before her was an avenging demon, clawing all the way out of hell.

"Hell yeah!" Ruby slapped her thigh, her eyes blazing with excitement and fighting spirit. "I've been sick of Ethan for ages.

"Acting all high and mighty like some artist, mooching off you, and still has the nerve to stab you in the back. Jessica, don't worry, I'll pay. I'll set up the team for you. Let's mess them up and have some fun."

For a split second, I wanted to throw my arms around Ruby and cry my heart out.

In this world, everyone was waiting to see me crash, but she was the only one who'd rush over without a second thought, pick me up, and stand by my side as we kicked everyone who tried to bring me down straight into the pit.

That was what a true best friend was.