Chapter 2:Stranger in His Eyes
814 Words
Blackwell Tower rose above the city like a monument to power.
Ava stood across the street, staring at the massive glass building.
Three years ago, she used to walk through those doors without hesitation.
Today, she felt like a complete stranger.
She tightened her grip on her bag and crossed the street.
The lobby was exactly as she remembered.
Marble floors.
Crystal chandeliers.
Employees moving with purpose.
Everything looked the same.
Everything except her.
The woman who had once been Ethan Blackwell's wife now felt like an outsider.
She approached the reception desk.
Good afternoon," she said. "I'd like to see Ethan Blackwell."
The receptionist smiled politely.
Do you have an appointment?"
No.
I'm sorry, ma'am. Mr. Blackwell isn't accepting visitors."
Ava took a deep breath.
"Tell him Ava Hart is here.
The receptionist typed something into her computer.
A few moments later, she shook her head.
I'm sorry. The answer is no.
Ava's stomach dropped.
Of course.
Why would he agree to meet someone he didn't remember?
She glanced toward the elevators.
Somewhere above her was the man she had spent three years mourning.
The man who still wore her ring.
Or at least she hoped he did.
"No," Ava whispered.
She hadn't come this far to leave.
Tell him it's important.
I'm afraid I can't.
Ava's patience snapped.
It's about his wife."
The words echoed through the lobby.
Several employees stopped walking.
The receptionist froze.
What?"
Ava swallowed.
Her heart pounded violently.
"I said it's about his wife."
The lobby erupted into whispers.
People turned toward her.
Phones appeared.
The receptionist looked horrified.
Security!"
Two guards immediately approached.
Ma'am, we're going to have to ask you to leave."
Ava stood her ground.
I'm not leaving."
One guard gently grabbed her arm.
At that exact moment, a voice echoed across the lobby.
What's happening?"
Silence fell instantly.
Every employee straightened.
Every guard stepped back.
Ava's heart stopped.
She knew that voice.
Slowly, she turned around.
The elevator doors had opened.
And there he was.
Ethan Blackwell.
For a moment, the entire world disappeared.
Three years.
Three endless years.
And now he stood only a few feet away.
His black suit fit perfectly.
His dark eyes remained as sharp as ever.
His presence dominated the room.
But something was different.
Something cold.
Something distant.
The warmth she remembered was gone.
Ethan's gaze settled on her.
Curious.
Confused.
Unfamiliar.
Ava felt tears threaten to appear.
He didn't recognize her.
Not even a little.
The silence stretched.
Then Ethan spoke.
"Who are you?"
The words shattered her.
Ava forced herself to breathe.
"Ethan..."
He frowned.
The way she said his name clearly disturbed him.
Yet he still looked completely lost.
The receptionist rushed forward.
"Sir, she's causing a disturbance."
Ethan ignored her.
His eyes never left Ava.
"Do I know you?"
Ava's throat tightened.
Every memory of their life together flashed through her mind.
The wedding.
The promises.
The late-night conversations.
The future they planned.
All of it reduced to a single question.
Do I know you?
She reached into her purse with trembling fingers.
Then removed a gold chain.
The chain she wore every day.
The chain holding her wedding ring.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
Something flickered across his face.
A reaction.
Small.
But unmistakable.
Ava unclasped the chain.
The ring fell into her palm.
She stared directly into his eyes.
"You should."
The entire lobby held its breath.
Ava raised the ring.
"Because I'm your wife."
Gasps erupted around them.
Shock spread through every face in the room.
Ethan didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't blink.
For the first time since seeing him, Ava noticed genuine emotion in his eyes.
Not recognition.
Not yet.
But something.
Something buried deep beneath the surface.
Then another voice cut through the silence.
"That's impossible."
A tall blonde woman stepped out of the elevator.
Elegant.
Beautiful.
Confident.
Sophia Reed.
The woman Ethan had dated before meeting Ava.
Sophia's eyes immediately landed on the ring.
Then on Ava.
Disgust flashed across her face.
"This woman is lying."
Ava felt her stomach twist.
Sophia crossed the lobby and stood beside Ethan.
Possessively.
As though she belonged there.
As though she belonged beside him.
"Ethan," Sophia said softly, "security should remove her."
But Ethan remained focused on Ava.
The strange expression hadn't left his face.
For some reason, he couldn't look away.
Neither could she.
Three years of grief.
Three years of loneliness.
Three years of unanswered questions.
And now they stood face-to-face.
Separated by memories only one of them possessed.
Finally, Ethan spoke.
His voice was calm.
Controlled.
Dangerously unreadable.
"Come to my office."
The entire lobby froze.
Sophia's eyes widened.
"Ethan—"
"Now."
Ava's heart pounded.
This was it.
The moment she had waited three years for.
The moment everything would begin to change.
Because for the first time since his return...
Ethan Blackwell was finally willing to listen. :::
- Writer
