Chapter 4

A few days later, "The Wandering Echoes" did a live-streamed acoustic set from a local radio station.

Ethan was front and center, guitar in hand. Chloe was beside him, playing a tambourine and singing backup, her eyes fixed on him.

During a pause between songs, as Ethan wiped his brow, Chloe leaned over and "spontaneously" dabbed his forehead with a tissue she produced from nowhere.

She smiled sweetly at the camera.

The comments on the stream exploded with "EChloe" shippers.

Aunt Carol sent me the clip with a single text: "The little viper."

I was at "The Pearl," one of Austin' s most exclusive wedding venues, with David.

We were going over the final details for our wedding.

The manager was showing us the ballroom, sunlight streaming through the tall arched windows.

David listened patiently, occasionally asking a thoughtful question. He squeezed my hand.

"It's going to be beautiful, Sarah," he said, his smile genuine.

He was so different from Ethan. Calm, considerate, present.

He knew about Ethan's "promotional trip." He knew everything. Aunt Carol had filled him in.

He hadn't judged, just offered support.

"Are you sure about this?" he'd asked gently when Aunt Carol first proposed the idea of him stepping in.

"I'm sure about you, David," I' d replied, and I meant it.

I took a picture of the sunlit ballroom, with David smiling in the background, and posted it on my Instagram.

Caption: "Exciting plans ahead! Feeling so much love and support. ❤️"

My phone buzzed almost immediately. A text from Ethan.

"What the hell are you doing? What plans? Are you with someone? Who is that guy?"

Followed by another: "You better not be messing with me, Sarah. We have an agreement."

I showed the texts to David.

He just raised an eyebrow. "He seems... stressed."

I laughed, a real laugh. "You could say that."

I put my phone on silent and turned back to the wedding planner.

Ethan could stew. My plans were well underway.