Chapter 10

A week had passed since Liam left, and I still couldn’t find my footing. This was the longest we’d ever been apart, and I wasn’t ashamed to admit how badly I was handling it.

Liam was my anchor. Without him, I felt untethered—like a ship lost at sea, drifting aimlessly. Every day, I waited eagerly for his calls. Those brief moments, hearing his sweet voice, were the only things keeping me grounded.

I hadn’t heard from Ethan Blackwood since the airport. A part of me still ached for him, but I knew this separation was for the best. There was no future between us. I couldn’t keep loving a man who didn’t love me back.

Life had been eerily quiet lately. Not that anyone bothered to keep me updated. But with no more shootings or deaths, I assumed the criminals had gone underground.

Lost in thought, I suddenly collided with someone, my books scattering across the pavement.

"I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going," I blurted, bending down to gather my things.

I had just left work, exhausted, craving nothing more than my bed.

"It’s fine. I wasn’t paying attention either."

That voice. My head snapped up.

Daniel Carter stood before me, dressed in his police uniform—and damn, did he look good. I’d sworn off men, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t look. And there was plenty to admire.

He crouched to help me, flashing a charming smile that made my stomach flip.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We got a tip about drug sales near the school," he said, then raised a brow. "You teach here?"

"Yeah," I admitted, suddenly self-conscious.

Teaching wasn’t the expected career for a billionaire’s ex-wife, but I loved it. My parents had hated the idea, preferring I pursue something "prestigious" like my sister Isabella, the high-powered lawyer, or my brother Nathan, the entrepreneur. Another mark against me in their eyes.

"So, what do you teach?" Daniel asked, genuine interest in his tone.

Ethan had never cared about my work. I doubted he even knew my subject.

"Biology."

"Beauty and brains. I like that," he teased, winking.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Uh, thanks," I mumbled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Daniel flustered me in a way I wasn’t used to. Men rarely noticed me—not when my sister was a stunning blonde goddess. I was the plain one: brown hair, brown eyes, petite frame. Growing up, boys only talked to me to get closer to Isabella. Eventually, I accepted that I just wasn’t attractive.

"Sorry I haven’t called," Daniel said after a pause. "Work’s been insane."

I forced a smile. "It’s okay. I get it—being an officer is demanding."

And I did understand. I also understood that was just an excuse. He’d never intended to call.

An awkward silence settled between us. His piercing blue eyes searched mine, making me shift uncomfortably.

"Daniel!" Another officer called from across the street.

"Coming!" He turned back to me. "Good seeing you, beautiful. Catch you later?"

"Sure," I muttered.

Then, unexpectedly, he pulled me into a quick hug before walking away. I stood there, stunned.

What just happened?

Shaking off the daze, I headed toward the grocery store. My shoulder still ached, but at least the sling was gone.

As I walked, my mind replayed the encounter. Daniel treated me so differently than Ethan ever had. No one had ever called me beautiful before. No one had ever winked at me.

But I couldn’t let it mean anything. If my own husband hadn’t wanted me, why would a man like Daniel?

Stop being ridiculous, I scolded myself.

He was just being polite. A guy like him could have any woman—why would he pick me?

I pushed the thoughts away and focused on shopping. After grabbing what I needed, I stepped outside, ready to hail a cab.

Then I saw them.

Ethan and Isabella.

Hand in hand, laughing like they hadn’t a care in the world. The sound of Ethan’s deep, rich laughter—something I’d never inspired—cut through me like a knife.

The pain I’d buried surged back, raw and suffocating.

I thought I was over this. I wasn’t.

As if sensing me, Ethan turned. His smile vanished, replaced by a frown.

Of course. I brought him nothing but misery.

For a second, I thought he might cross the street toward me. But that was just wishful thinking.

I quickly ducked into a cab, refusing to look back.

He’d moved on. Effortlessly.

Because he’d never loved me.

It was time I did the same. No matter how long it took, I would find happiness.

Ethan Blackwood was my past.

And it was time to leave him there.