From Disappointment to Destiny

t after midnight when Olivia finally came home. She stumbled in, her cheeks f

e floor. "Sorry I' m so late. Professor Jenkins kept u

teak and the untouched second place setting sat between them like

he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Oh, you cooked

at the woman he loved, but at a stranger who wore her face. The ease with which she lie

ew session," he asked

ks," she said, avoiding his eyes. "Alex was there. He' s so stresse

The screen was angled toward him. A banner notification appeared at the top. It was from Alex. The message was clear, even fr

time it was a picture message preview, a selfie of her and Alex, the same one Ethan had seen ear

got! Happy birthday, baby!" She walked over and tried to kiss him, but he turned his

bag and pulling out a small, neatly wrapped box. She

nds, and simple faces. This watch was flashy, something designed to be noticed. It was a watch Alex Stone would wear. He had seen Alex eyeing a similar one online just last week when Olivia had her laptop

?" she asked, h

emorse, only a shallow attempt to fulfill an obligation. He cl

said, his voice devoid of any emotion

"Okay, well, I' m exhausted. I' m going to bed.

e box, walked over to the kitchen trash, and dropped it in. He heard it land with a dull thud on top of old coffee grounds. Then he went to the nightstand and picked up the silver frame that