When Love Turns To Ashes

nst Ethan's grip. My voice was raw, torn apart by grief a

s digging into my arms. "Olivia was cleared. It was

nt. "Sarah, I know you're hurting, but this is too much. I was at a charity event th

her tear-filled eyes to Ethan. "Ethan, p

an order, not a request. The man who once promised to protect me from

her." I looked past him, my eyes finding the simple wooden casket I

s who had gathered. "That's Ethan Vance's ex-wife

left her for Miss Hayes. Tryin

my already bruised heart. Ethan heard

ize, or I'll make you. Remember the last time you defied me? You cleaned the floors of

andmother. As punishment, he had made me get on my hands and knees in his corporate headquarters, in front

ce cornered me, pouring mud on my only clean shirt. Ethan, who had just started pursuing me, found me crying. He didn't say a word. He jus

the one pour

love I once felt for him had curdled into something dark and bitter. All

her," Ethan repeated

, don't be so harsh. She's grieving." Then she looked at me. "But a lawsuit woul

me unconditionally, deserved a peaceful farewell.

ossessive, a clear display of where his loyalties lay. "You hear that, Sarah? Apolo

ruelty. Using the body of the woman

oked at Olivia's triumphant face, at Ethan's unforgiving one.

"I'm sorry," I said, the words tasting

hapel, my back straight. I could feel their eyes on me. I focused on

st few days finally caught up to me. The world started to tilt.

ssion for a split second replaced by something else. Shock. And maybe,

east said the words. I had kept my promise to my grandmother's memory.