ETHAN
I stood alone in my office, staring out the window at the sky. My hands were braced on the edge of the desk, fingers gripping the wood as I tried to steady my thoughts. I couldn’t shake the heaviness that had settled over me since Lydia’s return. Her face flashed in my mind, her eyes wide with shock when she saw me earlier. She hadn’t expected to see me again, not after all these years.
And neither had I.
I had no idea what I was supposed to do now that she was back. Part of me wanted to throw her out, but another part of me hesitated, unable to do so.
I closed my eyes, but the memories came flooding back against my will. They were always there, lurking beneath the surface, ready to strike at the worst possible moments.
I remembered the first time I had found out. The way I
