Chapter 7

I sat in my usual spot by the window, sipping a cup of hot coffee in the plain hope that it would calm my erratic heartbeat. I gazed at the clock.

10:17 a.m.

Honestly, I was extremely anxious. The thought that today, I would finally find out who Ethan was having an affair with, kept me up all night.

When all this is over, I’ll book myself a nice vacation. But for now, I need to uncover Ethan’s mystery woman, and then hire a divorce lawyer.

I don't even care for his properties. I want an out.

The entrance door opened and Ethan walked in with a sleeping Layla in his arms.

“Ethan…”

“I was asked to get my ass back home.” He interrupted.

Asked?

I immediately recalled Mr.Jacobs’ words to the driver last night.

What's his connection to Ethan?

“I’ll officially move into the guest room.” He continued.

“Don't you want to clear things up?” I asked.

Although I knew he was cheating, a tiny part of me wanted to hear him at least deny it, or make some excuse.

But as he stood in front of me, with Layla in his arms and his face void of any expression, I realized he was no longer my husband. He was just Ethan Vance and he was done pretending to be the perfect husband.

“I have nothing to say to you,” he said dismissively and walked away.

I stared at his back, almost expecting him to turn around.

He didn't.

For four years, Ethan had always been the first to reach out. Even during our worst arguments, he never walked away without trying to fix things.

Today, for the first time, he didn't even look back.

And somehow, that hurt more than I expected.

“Of course you do,” I muttered.

***

I had spent the entire night preparing myself for the worst, yet somehow, waiting only made the anxiety worse.

By the time I sat in Dory’s cafe, I was a bundle of nerves. I checked my watch.

4:15 p.m.

I had been waiting for whoever for over two hours, and I'd gotten tired. Just as I stood up to leave, my eyes locked onto a familiar figure sitting alone with her head down.

Eleanor.

I stood still for a minute, contemplating whether to approach her.

“Whatever,” I said under my breath and walked up to her.

“Eleanor?”

She looked up at me and sighed.

“Mia.”

“Can we talk please?” I asked.

“No we can't talk, Mia,” she said.

“Please, Ellie.”

“No, Mia. You don't get to ‘Ellie’ me. You didn't think to talk to me first before drawing such an absurd conclusion.” Her eyes filled with hurt.

“I know, Ellie. I was wrong and I'm sorry,” I said, grabbing her hand lightly.

“I’m drowning, Ellie. I didn't know what to do at the time,” I said, a tear falling from my eyes.

Her expression softened and she let out a sigh. “Have a seat and tell me everything, Mia.”

She had her hands covering her mouth by the time I was done explaining to her.

“Oh, Mia. Why didn't you tell me when this started?”

“I… I don't know. I just believed him blindly.” The words left my mouth making me feel more foolish.

“What are your plans now?” she asked.

“I want a divorce and custody of Layla. But first, I need to find out who he’s cheating with,” I said.

“Ethan is such a dog.” Her palms slammed down on the table, earning us a few glares.

“The picture? Let me see it.”

I pulled up the picture on my phone and handed it to her.

“Oh…”

“Wait…”

She turned the phone to me.

“This is insane. I thought you were exaggerating, the heels are exactly like mine.”

“I know. And then I found your note to Ethan,” I said.

“I was planning a surprise. I didn't want to show up at his office or leave a text so that you wouldn't catch on.”

“I'm so sorry Els, I shouldn't have judged you like that, I just thought about your secret relationship and… who are you dating, Els? I asked.

She bowed her head slightly, refusing to look at me.

“Mia…”

“Just tell me, Ellie. It's part of the reason I drew such a conclusion. Who is it?”

Silence.

“Who are you dating, Eleanor?” I asked, my voice coming out sharp.

“She's dating me.”

I froze.

That voice, I knew it too well. My hands shook as I slowly turned around.

My breath caught.

I was staring into a pair of eyes that looked hauntingly familiar.

My eyes.

“Salvatore?”