Five years ago, I walked out on Ethan Hayes. His career was just taking off, and I left him. Turned around and married an old man. Five years later, at a college reunion, Ethan’s a success story, and I’m… well, I’m a mess. Later, in the semi-darkness of a rooftop, he asked me, his voice rough, "Leaving me like that… you happy now, Ava?" 1. I was rushing to the hospital, practically sprinting, when I slammed right into someone. The papers he was holding scattered everywhere. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I dropped down to help him gather the files, and the ugly bruises and cuts on my hands were suddenly right there, under the harsh fluorescent light. “Ava?” Ethan’s voice was hesitant, testing the name. He grabbed my hand gently. “What happened to your hand?” My fingers froze on a stray document. That voice… so familiar. It was the first time I’d seen him in five years. Never thought it would be like this. “No, I… you’ve got the wrong person.” I snatched my hand back, my instinct screaming to run, but he caught me, pulling me into a hug. His voice was hoarse, thick with emotion. “I’d never mistake you. You’re Ava!” “Ouch…” I hissed, sucking in a breath. He was holding me tight, and the hidden injuries on my body throbbed in protest. He pulled back immediately, his eyes scanning me, finally noticing the other marks, the ones peeking out from my sleeve. “Ava, what happened to you? The cuts… I need to get you to the ER.” Ethan took me to the hospital and stayed with me the whole time. The nurse who treated my cuts was an older woman, kind but blunt. “Honey, we need to get an X-ray of this arm, make sure nothing’s broken. And that burn on your hand – keep it dry, okay?” She looked pointedly at Ethan, her expression shifting to disapproval and suspicion. “You know, young man, you look like such a nice, respectable guy. I wouldn’t have figured you for someone who gets rough like this.” Ethan just stared at me, looking completely bewildered. I saw the nurse’s judging eyes and knew what she was thinking. I quickly jumped in. “Oh, no, you misunderstand. He didn’t do this.” “Sweetie,” she said, lowering her voice slightly, “domestic abuse is illegal. You don’t have to be scared. We have resources, people who can help. Do you want me to call the police for you?” I shook my head quickly. “No, really. Thank you for your concern, though.” The nurse sighed, a flicker of frustration in her eyes, but she didn’t push. “Okay, well… let’s get you over to radiology for that X-ray.” After the X-ray confirmed no broken bones, just deep bruising and the nasty burn, Ethan led me outside to a small hospital garden. He lit a cigarette, took a long, deep drag, and exhaled slowly, the smoke mingling with the scent of antiseptic and damp earth. The air crackled with unspoken questions. He finished the cigarette, stubbed it out, but still seemed wound tight, his eyes bloodshot as he finally looked at me. “Ava Miller. Aren't you going to tell me what the hell is going on?” I didn’t answer, just looked at him, my expression carefully neutral. I’d honestly thought I’d never see Ethan Hayes again. “You didn’t used to smoke,” I said quietly. “Ava, do you even have a heart?” His voice cracked, raw with emotion. “You disappeared without a word back then… was this the life you left me for?” He grabbed my shoulders, his grip tight, desperation and a deep, aching sadness swimming in his eyes. “It’s getting late,” I said, pulling away gently. “I should go home. Thanks for… for today. Take care of yourself, Ethan.” Without waiting for a reply, I turned and walked away, not looking back. Ethan and I met in college. I was a freshman; he was a senior assigned to help orient the new students. I was instantly drawn to him. It took all my courage, but I got his number and started messaging him constantly, checking in, asking how he was, finding excuses to bump into him, making sure he noticed me. Eventually, I confessed how I felt, and to my shock and delight, he said yes. My roommates always teased me, saying I landed the campus heartthrob through sheer shameless persistence… I could see it in his eyes today – Ethan still had feelings for me. But me? I’d fallen so far, dragged myself through hell. How could I possibly deserve someone like him now? 2 When I got back to the house, Arthur Morgan was sitting on the sofa, a dark, thunderous look on his face. “Where have you been?” “Just picking up some medication from the pharmacy,” I lied, trying to edge past him toward the bedroom. But Arthur was in a mood, maybe suspicious, maybe just needing an outlet. He shot up and grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking my head back. “Who told you you could go to a hospital?” His voice was low, menacing. “Were you trying to tell everyone what I do to you?” I clawed at his hand, my voice trembling. “No! You’ve misunderstood. I didn’t say anything. Arthur, please, let go.” He shoved me away, and I stumbled, catching myself on the wall. He dusted off his hands as if he’d touched something dirty. “You wouldn’t dare!” With that parting shot, Arthur grabbed his keys and left. I slid down the wall until I was huddled on the floor, tears finally breaking free, silent drops tracing paths down my cheeks… A few days later, my phone rang. It was Chloe, an old college friend. “Ava? It’s Chloe! Hey, there’s a reunion happening next weekend. Are you gonna come?” My first instinct was to say no, absolutely not. But before I could get the word out, Chloe rushed on. “Ava, seriously, you just vanished sophomore year. I finally tracked down your number. Please come? I really want to see you.” My hand tightened on the phone. Chloe had been my best friend back then. When my family situation imploded, I never even got to say a proper goodbye. After a moment’s hesitation, I gave in. “Okay. Yeah, okay. Text me the details.” The reunion was at some downtown bar with karaoke rooms. When I walked in, the place was already packed. Chloe spotted me immediately and threw her arms around me. “Ava! You actually came! Oh my god, I’ve missed you so much!” I found a seat on a couch, trying to fade into the background. These kinds of gatherings weren’t my scene anymore. Too much pressure, too much pretending. College reunions are mostly about comparing lives, seeing who’s climbed higher. A woman I vaguely recognized, wearing a very flashy outfit, suddenly turned her attention to me. “Ava Miller… I remember you dropped out sophomore year, right? What are you doing now?” “I’m not working,” I mumbled. “Just… at home.” Chloe looked at me, surprised. “Ava, you… are you married?” I nodded stiffly. Someone else chimed in. “Wait, Ava, weren’t you dating Ethan Hayes back then? The law student?” “Yeah!” another voice added. “You probably haven’t heard, Ava, but Ethan’s huge now. Like, one of the top lawyers in the state. Super successful.” I forced a small, tight smile. “That was a long time ago.” Crash! Someone dropped a glass. I didn’t look up, just kept my eyes fixed on my lap. Then a tall shadow fell over me, blocking the dim light. 3 Someone dropped a glass. I didn’t look up, just kept my eyes fixed on my lap. Then a tall shadow fell over me, blocking the dim light. I glanced up, and before I could react, a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. He dragged me out of the noisy room, through the bar, and into the cool night air. Only then did I see clearly – it was Ethan. I struggled against his grip. “Ethan, let go of me!” He ignored me, his jaw tight, pulling me toward the building’s service elevator. He didn’t stop until we were on the rooftop terrace, the city lights spread out below us. Only then did he release my arm. “So,” he said, his voice dangerously quiet. “The bruises, the cuts… it’s your husband, isn’t it?” I nodded slowly. There didn’t seem to be any point in lying anymore. “When did you get married?” “Five years ago.” Ethan’s handsome face hardened, the lines around his mouth deepening. It had been exactly five years since I’d broken up with him. He laughed, a short, bitter sound devoid of any humor. “So, you broke up with me and immediately turned around and married someone else?” His voice rose, laced with pain and disbelief. “Ava! Did you ever even love me?” I remained silent. Of course, I loved Ethan. I’d never stopped. But saying it now felt pointless, irrelevant. Ethan walked to the edge of the rooftop, looking down at the streams of headlights on the street below. He lit another cigarette, smoked it down to the filter in tense silence, then spoke without turning around. “Ava… haven’t you ever thought about leaving him? Getting a divorce?” His voice was softer now, laced with confusion. “He treats you like this… why are you still with him?” I managed a wry, humorless smile. Divorce? If only it were that easy. I’d tried more than once. None of them stuck. I shook my head, refusing to answer. Ethan’s frustration flared, and he turned and stalked back towards the elevator, leaving me alone on the roof. After a few minutes, I went back down, exchanged numbers with Chloe, and left too. On the way home, Chloe texted me. Hey, btw, Ethan actually gave me your number. He asked me to invite you. I had no idea you were married. I typed back: I figured. I turned off my phone after that. It wasn’t a huge leap. Chloe suddenly finding my number just days after I’d run into Ethan? She never had it before. Truthfully? I think I agreed to come tonight because I wanted to see him again, too. 4 It was past midnight when I finally got home. As I switched on the lights, my heart leaped into my throat. Arthur was sitting on the sofa in the dark, his eyes fixed on me with a chilling intensity. I flinched, then forced myself to sound calm. “Arthur? Why are you sitting in the dark?” “Why are you back so late?” His tone was flat, dangerously calm, which was always worse than yelling. Warning bells screamed in my head. I opened my mouth to explain, but it was too late. Arthur stood up and walked towards me. The stench of alcohol hit me like a wave; he was clearly drunk. I instinctively took a step back, which only seemed to enrage him. He grabbed my wrist, his grip like iron, and slapped me hard across the face. The force snapped my head back. “You shameless tramp!” he snarled, his face inches from mine. “Who were you out screwing around with?” I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “Arthur, please, calm down. Let me go.” But reasoning with him when he was drunk was impossible. He started hitting me again, landing blows on my arms and shoulders. Maybe it was the alcohol making him clumsy, or maybe it was pure adrenaline, but I managed to shove him hard. He stumbled backward, lost his balance, and crashed to the floor. I didn’t hesitate. I turned and ran, bolting out the front door, not even stopping to grab my shoes or purse. I’d just reached the edge of the condo complex, gasping for breath, when a sleek black Bentley pulled up silently beside me. The tinted window slid down, and Ethan’s sharp profile came into view. His expression was grim. “Get in.” My first instinct was to refuse, but he cut me off, his voice low and urgent. “Unless you want your picture plastered all over the gossip sites looking like this tomorrow morning, get in the car, Ava.” I looked down at myself – barefoot, wearing only a thin dress, no phone, no wallet. I really had nowhere else to go. I climbed into the passenger seat. The leather was cool against my skin. Ethan immediately leaned over, his arm brushing mine as he clicked my seatbelt into place. His proximity was overwhelming. “He hit you again?” His voice was tight. I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. “Just… take me somewhere. Anywhere.” The drive was silent, the tension thick enough to cut. Ethan drove to an upscale apartment building across town, pulling into the secure underground garage. He parked, and I reached for the door handle, but his voice stopped me. “Wait.” I looked at him, confused. He got out, walked around to my side, and opened the door. Before I could react, he scooped me up into his arms. “You don’t have shoes on,” he said gruffly. “Don’t walk on this dirty floor.” “Thanks…” The word came out as a choked whisper. I suddenly felt tears welling up. It had been so long since anyone had shown me even the smallest kindness. I leaned my head against his chest, inhaling the faint, familiar scent of his cologne mixed with cigarette smoke. For the first time in years, I felt a flicker of safety. “How did you… how did you know where I was?” I asked softly as he carried me towards the elevator. “I said I was just passing by, right? Would you believe that?” I shook my head slightly against his shoulder. Of course, I didn’t. My neighborhood was nowhere near his usual routes. Ethan sighed, a heavy sound. “I followed you home from the reunion. I needed to know where you were living.” He carried me into his apartment, the door clicking shut behind us, and gently set me down on a plush sofa. “This is my place. You can stay here tonight.” He added quickly, “Don’t worry, I live alone. It’s no trouble.” “Okay. Thank you, Ethan.” 5 Ethan brought me a glass of water, then retrieved a first-aid kit from the bathroom. He knelt in front of me and gently started cleaning the cut on my cheek. “Ava,” he said softly, his eyes meeting mine, “divorce him. He doesn’t deserve you.” I was silent for a long time. Finally, I looked at him. “Ethan… are you any good at divorce cases?” His eyes, which had been shadowed with concern, instantly lit up with a fierce determination. “Ava. For you? I can do anything.” He hesitated, then asked gently, “If… if you’re comfortable, can you tell me what happened? How did you end up with him?” So, I told him. “My parents… they ran a business, you remember? My sophomore year, they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Arthur Morgan—that’s my husband—he offered my dad a bailout, a huge sum of money. But there was a condition.” I took a shaky breath. “He wanted me to marry him.” “My dad pulled me out of school immediately. Pressured me, guilted me… until I agreed. After the wedding… Arthur started hitting me. Regularly.” Talking about it felt like ripping open a barely healed wound, raw and agonizing. “Arthur Morgan? Of Morgan Construction?” Ethan asked, his voice tight with disbelief. His knuckles were white where he gripped the edge of the first-aid kit. “Yes. He’s twenty-five years older than me. I didn’t want to marry him, I fought it, but my parents… they threatened drastic things, laid on the guilt thick.” “After we were married, I tried to leave, tried to file for divorce. Each time, Arthur would just get worse. He’d beat me, then threaten me. I called the police once, but he produced some kind of doctored medical report from a shady clinic, claiming I had mental health issues, that my injuries were self-inflicted. My parents backed him up.” My voice broke. “I tried to find a lawyer to take my case for divorce court, but no one would touch it. Arthur has too many connections, too much influence.” When I finished, Ethan covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking. Broken sobs escaped him. “I’m so sorry, Ava. I’m so, so sorry. If I’d just paid more attention back then, if I’d reached out after you left… maybe you wouldn’t have gone through all this hell.” I reached out and put a hand on his arm, then impulsively leaned forward and hugged him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Ethan, it’s not your fault. How could you have known? You were just starting your career, working crazy hours.” “I’m such an idiot!” he choked out, pulling back slightly to look at me, his eyes filled with self-reproach. “When you broke things off, I was too proud, too arrogant to demand answers. If I’d just come after you, found out what was really going on…” He buried his face in his hands again, crying like a lost child. I tried to comfort him, but he was lost in his guilt. Finally, I sighed, feeling utterly drained. “Ethan, I’m exhausted. I need to sleep.” “Right. Okay. Let me get the guest room ready for you. Wait here.” I watched him go, his back straight but radiating tension. A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Was telling him everything the right thing to do? He returned quickly, scooped me up again, and carried me into a spare bedroom, placing me gently on the bed. “Wait here,” he said again. “Let me get some warm water. For your feet. They must be freezing.” He came back moments later with a basin of warm water. He rolled up his sleeves and knelt down. I instinctively pulled my feet back. “Ethan, no, you don’t have to. I can do it.” He just gave me a look, then gently took my feet and placed them in the warm water. “Is the temperature okay?” I nodded, biting my lip. “Ethan… why are you being so nice to me?” “My Ava deserves this,” he said softly, his voice thick. He washed my feet carefully, meticulously, as if handling priceless artifacts. My eyes stung. Ava Miller… what did I ever do to deserve a man like Ethan Hayes? After drying my feet, he went to his closet and pulled out a crisp white button-down shirt. He handed it to me, his ears turning slightly red. “You can’t sleep comfortably in that dress. Wear this for tonight. I’ll get you some proper clothes tomorrow.” Seeing his slight awkwardness made me smile faintly. “Ethan,” I asked, suddenly curious, “have you… have you dated anyone? These past five years?” The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to slap myself. What right did I have to ask, me, a married woman trapped in a nightmare? “No,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “All these years… I never forgot you, Ava.” The raw honesty in his voice hung in the air. He dropped the shirt onto the bed beside me and quickly left the room. The large bedroom felt quiet, almost too quiet, but for the first time in five years, lying there in the dark, I felt a profound sense of peace. In Arthur’s house, I hadn’t had a single night of truly restful sleep.
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