Chapter 37

I stared down at the file, reading the name on it repeatedly; Morales. We had been trying for weeks now to drum up anything we could on where the hell the bastard had disappeared to, but hadn't had any luck. After the raid where we had recovered the girls, he had dropped off the earth it seemed. Rubbing at my temples, I yawned. I'd awoken early, and not ready to face either Ethan or Ember, I'd quickly dressed and called a cab, only to cancel the ride when I had stepped out of the house to find my pickup sitting in the drive. I didn’t know how or when Ethan had brought it there, I was just thankful he had.

As I headed to work, I’d swung by a fast food place to grab a cup of coffee and a sausage biscuit. For energy. Now, however, the restless night was wearing on me, the nightmare and what Ember had said to me like a reel in my head that wouldn't turn off. Her voice had been like nails on a chalkboard, but her words had been as piercing as a knife. She was his wife and I was nothing more than his affair. But that didn't make it any easier to swallow.

The office was quiet, the buzz of computers and murmur of distant conversations the only company to the thoughts that swirled in my mind. The detectives around me were lost in their own worlds, their eyes glued to their screens as they pieced together cases. I felt like a fraud among them, carrying a secret that could unravel everything for Ethan.

I took a sip of my lukewarm coffee, the bitter taste a stark contrast to the sweetness of our stolen moments. The paperwork blurred before my eyes as I thought of how to tell him. Would he believe me? Would he understand why I had to end it? A thousand scenarios played out in my head, each one ending in heartbreak.

The sound of footsteps grew closer, and I stiffened as Lila approached my desk. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, noticing my distraction. Her genuine concern was a stark contrast to the animosity I had felt from Ember.

"Just tired," I lied, forcing a smile. "Couldn't sleep."

She nodded, her gaze lingering for a moment too long before returning to her own work. I knew she could sense something was off, but I had become adept at keeping my personal life separate from my work. The last thing I needed was for anyone to suspect the truth about Ethan and me.

Rising from my chair, I headed to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. The cold liquid hit my skin, sending a jolt of alertness through me. I took a deep breath, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The bruise on my cheek was already turning a dark shade of purple, a stark contrast to the pallor of my skin. Pulling some concealer and powder from my purse, I worked to cover it up, hoping no one would notice.

As I returned to my desk, my steps hesitated at seeing Ethan at his. His eyes met mine briefly before flicking away, filled with a concern he tried to hide. The room felt suddenly too small, the air thick with unspoken words. I took my seat, my heart racing as if it was trying to escape my chest. The seconds stretched into minutes, each one heavier than the last.

My phone buzzed with a text, a welcome distraction from the tension. It was a number I didn't recognize. "Meet me at the park. We need to talk." It was Ember. Panic gripped me, her words from the night before coming back with a vengeance. What did she want now? I knew I couldn't ignore her, not with the power she wielded.

Grabbing my keys, I told Lila I needed to run an errand. She nodded absently, engrossed in her work. The drive to the park was a blur, my thoughts racing with possible scenarios. What had she found out? What was her next move?

The playground was eerily quiet, the swings swaying slightly in the early morning breeze. Ember sat on a bench, her arms crossed tightly across her chest, her eyes cold and calculating. She looked up as I approached, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"You came," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

"What do you want, Ember?" I replied, my voice as cool and composed as the morning air.

Her smile grew wider, revealing teeth that were white and sharp. "I just wanted to check if you had taken my advice to heart. Did you end it with him?"

I met her gaze, my own eyes filled with determination. "End what?"

Ember leaned forward, her fingers tapping the wooden slats of the bench. "You're playing a dangerous game, darling. If you don't end it, I will. And it won't be pretty."

The scent of freshly cut grass mingled with the faint odor of blooming flowers. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the playground, as if the world itself was keeping its distance from the toxic conversation unfolding.

"You don't get to dictate who I see," I said firmly.

"Oh, but I do," she countered, her eyes narrowing to slits. "You see, Ethan and I have an understanding. And if you don't want to end up like those poor girls you two saved, I suggest you remember your place."

"You're bluffing," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Am I?" she challenged, pulling out her phone. She swiped through a few screens before turning it to face me. The image on the display made my stomach drop—it was a picture of Ethan and me, taken from a distance, our embrace clear. "I have eyes everywhere."

The silence between us was as thick as the fog that hovered over the swings. I could feel the weight of her words, the gravity of her threat. The chirping of the birds seemed to grow louder, a stark contrast to the quiet rage that built within me.

"You leave me no choice," I murmured, my voice low and tight.

Ember leaned back, her arms spreading out along the back of the bench. "Good. Then we understand each other."

With that, she stood up, her flip-flops making a soft thud against her heels as she walked away, leaving me standing there, alone with the dawning realization of the battle I was about to face. The playground swung into motion, the swings squeaking in protest at the disturbance of the air as if to echo the turmoil in my heart.

I watched her retreating figure, my mind racing. I had to find a way out of this, to protect Ethan and myself without falling into her trap. The park, once a place of innocence, now felt tainted by her malice.

With a heavy sigh, I turned on my heel, heading back to my car. The engine roared to life, the sound a declaration of my intention to fight back. As I drove away, the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a soft glow over the world. But I knew that the light of day couldn't erase the darkness that Ember had brought into my life.

The drive back to the office was a blur, my thoughts racing like the tires on the asphalt. How had it come to this? How could I have been so naive to think that a simple fling wouldn't have consequences? The taste of the bitter coffee lingered in my mouth, a reminder of the harsh reality that awaited me.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that was to come. The office was now bustling with activity, detectives moving like ants in a colony, each with their own mission. But my mission was personal, and it was one that would change everything.

I walked into the building, my heels clicking in time with my racing heart. The air conditioning washed over me, a cold embrace that matched the icy resolve in my veins.

Ethan looked up as I approached, his eyes searching my face. "You okay?" he mouthed, the question hanging in the air unspoken.

I nodded, the lie feeling like a weight on my shoulders.