He raised a brow, gloating.
I stayed calm." Yeah. Where is she?"
"Bad timing. She's been all over me—probably can't get out of bed today."

Ryan grinned, tugging his collar to reveal hickeys.
"Is that so? I'll come back later."
I took two steps, then turned." If she loves you that much, convince her to sign the divorce papers. And tell her to stop bugging me—it's annoying."
Fury flared in Ryan's eyes."Ethan, you crippled has-been, what's there to gloat about?"
His anger thrilled me.
This was only the beginning. 

Soon, I saw Ryan on the news.
His family's cemetery was vandalized, culprits unknown.
Local reports speculated tomb raiders mistook it for an ancient site, only to realize their error after the damage.
Footage showed Ryan racing to his parents'graves, Victoria's coat hem visible.

With her out of River City, I anonymously sent the file to the board's top execs.
Many had long resented Victoria.
With me strategizing behind her, things held together.
Even after I took the fall, the company needed my decisions.
Without me, Victoria had hollowed it out—a collapsing empire.
"Ethan, join me," Tyler urged over drinks." Your skills are invaluable. Name your price!"
I pushed his glass away, pointing to my leg."Still on meds—no drinking."
"Tyler, you don't need to convince me. Without you, I'd be stuck. Aren't we already partners?"
He slapped my back, grinning."No need for contracts!"
"Any luck with the video?"
I traced the glass's rim, eyes dark."Not yet..."
He studied me, sighing."Ethan, see a therapist."
I looked away.
"Avoiding it won't help. The Ethan I know faces challenges head-on!"
My grip shattered the glass."Sorry."
The shards reflected countless versions of me—fearful, horrified, enraged, uneasy.
"Ethan, I've got your back," Tyler said." This therapist's world-class, and a stunner. Worth a visit!"
I chuckled at his teasing."Fine, I'll go."
He handed me a business card: Dr. Sophia Bennett.
The name sounded gentle.
The next day, finishing my tasks, I flipped to her card, checked my watch, and decided to go.