FIFTY-ONE

After days of contemplating, I told Ethan what had happened during the shopping trip. Instead of denying, he called me ab attention seeker and accused me of making up lies.

This was the beginning of my personal hell. He became more distant and even when his mother invited us to her annual gala, he didn't inform me. In his words 'you wouldn't have gone anyway,'. That was his excuse.

I stared at the clock on the wall, my fork barely touching the cold pasta on my plate.

Ethan still hadn’t come down for dinner. Not that I expected him to. He hadn’t joined me at the table in over a week.

Still, a stupid part of me hoped he’d surprise me tonight. Maybe sit beside me like he used to. Ask about my day. Offer me a crumb of conversation.

He didn’t.

Instead, I heard footsteps echoing down the hallway and looked up quickly.

My heart dropped.

Ethan walked into the dining area dressed in a crisp navy suit, looking effortlessly polished. And beside him, wearing a glittering emerald dress that hugged