Chapter 2 - THE CONFESSION
Ethan expected denial.
Instead, Vanessa laughed.
It began quietly.
Then she leaned against the kitchen counter and laughed harder.
Ethan felt something inside him become cold.
“You think that’s funny?”
Vanessa wiped beneath one eye.
“I think you’re predictable.”
“You were with Max.”
“Yes.”
The answer landed harder than any lie.
Ethan said nothing.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You want me to beg?”
“No.”
“You want details?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Ethan looked at her.
“The truth.”
Vanessa stared at him for a moment.
Then something changed in her face.
The last layer of caution disappeared.
“Fine.”
She ripped off her wedding ring and threw it.
The ring struck Ethan in the chest and fell to the floor.
“Yeah, I fucked Max!” she screamed. “What the hell are you gonna do?”
Ethan slowly looked down at the ring.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Go ahead. Break down like the pathetic loser you are.”
He remained seated.
That angered her more.
“You think sitting there makes you better than me?”
“No.”
“You think Max is scared of you?”
“No.”
“Say something!”
Ethan finally looked up.
“I already did.”
Vanessa frowned.
“I filed.”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
“For divorce.”
The room went silent.
Ethan continued.
“Yesterday.”
Vanessa’s mouth opened slightly.
Then she laughed again.
But this laugh sounded different.
Forced.
“You filed?”
“Yes.”
“You think you can just take the company and leave?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You think I’m walking away with nothing?”
“I didn’t say that either.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What did you do?”
Ethan almost answered.
Then Vanessa’s phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Max.
She answered immediately.
“Max?”
His voice was loud enough for Ethan to hear.
“Vanessa! We’re screwed! RUN NOW!”
The call cut off.
Vanessa’s smile disappeared.
“What the hell?”
Three hard knocks struck the front door.
Vanessa backed away.
“Who the fuck is that?”
Ethan stood slowly.
He already knew.
He walked toward the door.
Vanessa followed.
“Ethan.”
He ignored her.
“Ethan, don’t open that door.”
He placed his hand on the knob.
“As a man,” he said, “I don’t hit women.”
He opened the door.
Rebecca Turner stood outside.
Black dress soaked by rain.
Mascara smudged.
Hands shaking.
Eyes burning.
Ethan looked back at Vanessa.
“But her? I’m not so sure.”
Rebecca walked inside.
Vanessa went pale.
“Rebecca—”
Rebecca crossed the room fast.
“You bitch!”
She raised her hand.
Vanessa recoiled.
But before the slap landed, Ethan caught Rebecca’s wrist.
“Not here.”
Rebecca stared at him.
Then at Vanessa.
“You knew.”
Vanessa swallowed.
Rebecca’s voice cracked.
“You knew I was pregnant.”
Ethan froze.
Vanessa’s face changed.
Rebecca pulled free.
“And you still slept with him.”
Vanessa whispered:
“You’re pregnant?”
Rebecca laughed in disbelief.
“You really don’t know.”
She turned toward Ethan.
“Neither does he.”
Ethan frowned.
“Know what?”
Rebecca looked from Ethan to Vanessa.
May you like
Then said:
“Max wasn’t sleeping with Vanessa because he loved her.”
