Once mine

Chapter One: Shadows of the Past Nicole Carter stood by the small window of her cozy kitchen, gazing out at the bustling city. The hum of distant traffic filled the air, a sharp contrast to the silence she now called home. It was a quiet life, far removed from the wealth and chaos she had left behind two years ago. The mansion she once called home was now a distant memory—grand but empty, lifeless in every sense that mattered. Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen: Lauren. Her heart skipped. They hadn’t spoken since the divorce, and seeing her name stirred feelings Nicole thought she had buried long ago. After a pause, she answered. “Lauren?” “Nicole!” Lauren’s voice was bright, almost urgent. “It’s been too long. Can we meet?” Nicole hesitated. Something about Lauren’s tone felt off, and an unease settled in her stomach. “Um… where?” “Café Verona. In an hour?” Nicole swallowed hard, debating whether to accept. “Alright,” she said at last, though her instincts whispered caution. An hour later, Nicole walked into Café Verona, a place she hadn’t visited in years. The aroma of freshly brewed espresso wafted through the air, stirring memories she’d tried to forget. She spotted Lauren seated in the far corner, dressed impeccably in designer attire that screamed elegance. “Nicole!” Lauren beamed, rising to hug her. “You look amazing.” “Thanks,” Nicole replied, feeling self-conscious in her worn jeans and simple blouse. “You, too.” After exchanging pleasantries and ordering coffee, Lauren leaned forward, her tone dropping. “I’ve heard about Ethan.” Nicole froze. Just the mention of his name sent her heart racing. Ethan—her ex-husband, the man she had worked so hard to forget. “What about him?” she asked cautiously. “His business is in trouble,” Lauren said, her voice low. “There’s talk of a major scandal. People are saying he’s falling apart… personally, too.” Nicole inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay composed. Ethan, struggling? The thought stirred an unwelcome mix of pity and anger. “That’s his problem now,” she said evenly. “We’re not together anymore.” “I know, but…” Lauren hesitated, her eyes searching Nicole’s. “He’s not the same. He’s—” A shadow fell over their table, interrupting the conversation. Nicole glanced up to see Mark Thompson, Ethan’s longtime business partner, standing there. His usual air of confidence was replaced by something that looked like concern. “Nicole,” Mark greeted her, pulling out a chair without waiting for an invitation. “I’m glad I found you. We need to talk about Ethan.” Nicole stiffened. First Lauren, now Mark? “Why is everyone suddenly so worried about him?” she asked, her voice sharp. “Because he’s not just struggling,” Mark said, his tone grave. “He’s falling apart. The company, his reputation… everything is on the line. And more than that, Nicole—he’s broken without you.” Nicole’s chest tightened. It had taken years to rebuild her life after Ethan, to find peace away from his shadow. And now, here he was, creeping back in through the cracks. “He doesn’t love me,” she said coldly. “He made that clear with his choices during our marriage.” “Please,” Mark urged. “Just hear him out. That’s all I’m asking.” Nicole felt the walls she had carefully built around herself begin to crumble. She glanced at Lauren, who nodded encouragingly. “One conversation,” Lauren said softly. “That’s all.” Nicole sighed, the weight of their pleas pressing down on her. “Fine. I’ll talk to him. But nothing will change.” Her words were firm, but the moment they left her lips, a wave of uncertainty washed over her. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to reopen that door. As she stood to leave, Mark’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his expression turned pale. “What is it?” Nicole asked, sensing something was wrong. Mark hesitated, then stood abruptly. “Ethan is missing.” Nicole’s breath caught. “Missing? What do you mean?” “No one’s seen or heard from him for days,” Mark said, his voice tight. “We thought he was just avoiding the media storm, but now… now we’re not sure.” A chill ran down Nicole’s spine. Ethan, missing? The man she had just agreed to confront seemed to have vanished before she even had the chance. Lauren placed a hand on Nicole’s arm, her eyes wide with urgency. “Nicole, if anyone can find him, it’s you. Please.” Nicole felt the weight of their words, the pull of a past she had worked so hard to leave behind. Against her better judgment, she nodded. “I’ll help.” As she walked out of the café, the realization hit her: the life she had carefully built was about to be shattered. And for the first time in years, she wasn’t sure what lay ahead.