Chapter 10 - The Career That Began to Collapse
By afternoon, Ethan's professional world was unraveling.
His access badge stopped working.
His assistant had been reassigned.
Two meetings were canceled.
A client refused to speak with him.
Then his managing partner called.
"You're on administrative leave."
Ethan stared at him.
"You can't do that."
"We just did."
"On what grounds?"
"Pending review."
"This is Daniel."
His partner looked away.
"No."
"What?"
"This is bigger than Daniel."
Ethan's voice lowered.
"Then tell me who."
His partner did not answer.
Ethan walked out.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Claire.
We need to talk.
He immediately called.
She answered.
"Where are you?"
"At the office."
"I'm not there anymore."
"Claire, please."
"Please what?"
"I need you."
Silence.
He closed his eyes.
For the first time, he understood how cruel those words sounded coming from him.
He had spent years making Claire feel unnecessary.
Now he needed her.
"Come home," he said.
"No."
"Then where?"
"You don't get to know yet."
He clenched his jaw.
"Claire."
Her voice softened.
"I spent years waiting for you to see me."
A pause.
"You finally did."
She hung up.
Ethan stood alone in the hallway.
Then his phone buzzed again.
An email.
Subject: Sunrise.
He opened it.
There was only one attachment.
A photograph of the Carter family dining room.
Taken during last night's dinner.
Ethan zoomed in.
Claire's wedding ring was still beside his plate.
May you like
Underneath the photograph was a message.
You laughed at the wrong woman.
