Chapter 38 Agreement Breeched

• It was supposed to be a quiet evening. I was tired of the noise, tired of the games Ethan played that kept me spinning in circles, trying to catch a glimpse of the truth. I wanted to unwind, perhaps pour myself a glass of wine and just forget-if only for a moment-how my life was a complete and utter mess. But life had another plan. I walked to Ethan's apartment, a sense of unease replacing my usually high level of excitement and anticipation.
• "Just stop overthinking, Jasmine," I muttered to myself as the elevator deposited me onto his floor. I knew Ethan's habits, knew when he would be home, knew how he liked to be alone after a day that was probably as long as mine. I thought showing up unannounced might be a fun surprise. But as I approached his door, I heard something that made me freeze—a soft laugh, light and teasing. Mia.
• I pressed my ear against the door and made out the muffled sound. The mere thought that their voices, hushed but unmistakably intimate, cut through the thin wood like a blade, literally brought my heart to a screeching halt. It was a conversation, sure, but the kind that was meant for lovers-not for casual agreements or open boundaries-was what I gathered from the scene on the other side: Ethan's low chuckle, Mia's playful giggle.