Chapter 4

Her birthday arrived a few weeks later.

Her family, perhaps feeling guilty, or perhaps just wanting to reinforce the "everything is normal" narrative, planned a special dinner.

It was at their sprawling New England estate, the heart of the Hawthorne dynasty.

Ava dressed the part, the dutiful daughter, the soon-to-be bride.

Ethan was attentive, almost overly so. He presented her with a gift.

A delicate diamond necklace. It was beautiful.

"It's stunning, Ethan, thank you," she said, forcing a smile as he fastened it around her neck.

Just as dinner was being served, Chloe arrived. Uninvited.

Dahlia was with her, clutching a brightly wrapped gift.

"Oh, I am so sorry to intrude," Chloe said, her voice dripping with false humility. "But it's Dahlia's birthday too, and she so wanted to give Ava her present. We won't stay."

Ava' s mother, of course, insisted they join.

"Nonsense, Chloe, there's plenty of food. Happy birthday, sweet Dahlia."

Ava watched, a cold dread settling in.

Chloe was wearing a necklace. An identical diamond necklace to the one Ethan had just given Ava.

Ava' s breath caught.

Chloe caught her staring and touched her own necklace lightly.

"Oh, this? Ethan has such good taste, doesn't he? He asked for my help picking out your birthday gift, Ava. We thought it was so lovely, he got one for me too, as a thank you for helping and, well, for my birthday."

She smiled sweetly at Ethan, who looked suddenly very uncomfortable.

"Chloe, I..." Ethan started, then faltered.

Ava looked at the man she almost married. The man who claimed he' d changed.

He hadn't. He was still easily swayed, still prioritizing Chloe' s feelings, her "vulnerability."

This was the final confirmation. The last straw.

Her decision, already made, solidified into unbreakable resolve.

The rest of the dinner was a blur. Ava was polite, distant.

Inside, she was saying goodbye.

A few days later, Ava packed a single, large duffel bag.

She left her engagement ring and the diamond necklace on her dresser.

She told the long-time housekeeper, Maria, that she was going on a short trip with Ethan, a pre-wedding getaway. Maria, who had known Ava since she was a child, looked at her with sad eyes but said nothing.

Ava took a taxi to the bus station.

As the bus pulled away from the city, heading towards the Rust Belt town of her grandparents, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

A week later, from a pay-as-you-go phone she' d bought, she sent Ethan a single text message.

"It's truly over, Ethan. Don't look for me."

Then she threw the phone away.