Chapter 1

The heavy scent of alcohol hit Ava Riley before the bedroom door even slammed shut. It was a familiar smell, one that always preceded the pain.

Ethan Hayes stumbled towards the bed, his usually sharp suit rumpled, his tie askew. His eyes, dark and unfocused, scanned the room until they landed on her. A slow, almost tender smile spread across his face, a smile she hadn't seen directed at her in years.

"Olivia," he breathed, his voice a low slur. He reached for her, his large hands gripping her shoulders. "You came back. I knew you'd come back to me."

His lips came down on hers, rough and demanding, tasting of whiskey and a longing that was not for her.

Ava remained still for a moment, a familiar ache spreading through her chest. This had been her life for five years. She was a ghost in her own marriage, a stand-in for a woman who had vanished.

She pushed against his chest, her voice cold and steady. "I'm not Olivia."

He froze, his drunken haze momentarily pierced by her words. He pulled back, his eyes narrowing as he finally focused on her face. The brief warmth vanished, replaced by a chilling disgust.

"Ava," he spat her name like a curse. "Of course. It's always you."

"Your wife," she corrected, her voice flat. "Olivia is the one who left you five years ago. She's not here."

The mention of Olivia sobered him instantly. He straightened up, his towering frame casting a long shadow over her. "Don't you dare say her name. You're the reason she left. You manipulated her, drove her away from me."

It was the same old accusation, the one he'd thrown at her a thousand times. She was tired of it, tired of defending herself against a ghost.

"When will you let me go, Ethan?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Let you go? I'll keep tormenting you, Ava. Every single day. Until she comes back to me."

A bitter laugh escaped her own lips. "So you'll punish me for the rest of my life? For something I didn't do?" She looked up at him, her heart a shattered mess. "You say you love her, but you married me. We've been married for five years, Ethan. Haven't you felt anything for me? Not even a little?"

His face contorted with rage. "You dare compare yourself to her? Olivia is a thousand times better than you. You're nothing."

He shoved her away, and she stumbled back, hitting the edge of the bed.

"Remember to take your pill," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "No one deserves to have my child. No one but Olivia."

He turned to leave, his hand on the doorknob.

Something inside Ava snapped. Twenty years of devotion, five years of a torturous marriage-it all culminated in this moment of raw desperation.

She lunged forward, grabbing his arm and spinning him around. Before he could react, she pressed her lips against his, a kiss born not of love, but of a desperate, self-destructive challenge.

"You want to torment me?" she whispered against his mouth. "Then do it. Fulfill your promise."

Ethan was stunned by her sudden aggression. But the surprise quickly melted into his usual, brutal anger. He grabbed her hair, pulling her head back as his mouth crushed hers again, this time with all the pent-up hatred he felt for her.

An hour later, he finally pulled away, leaving her bruised and exhausted on the bed. The room was silent except for their ragged breathing.

Ava lay there, feeling nothing but a vast, cold emptiness. The love she had held for him for two decades had finally turned to ash.

She sat up, her movements calm and deliberate. She looked at him, her eyes clear and devoid of any emotion.

"Let's make a deal," she said, her voice steady.

Ethan, still breathing heavily, looked at her with suspicion.

"I'll find Olivia for you," she continued. "I'll bring her back. And in return, you give me a divorce. We sever all ties. You get your love, and I get my freedom."

He stared at her, intrigued by her sudden, unnerving calm. He had expected tears, pleading, anything but this cold proposal. A smirk played on his lips.

"You think you can find her when I couldn't?" he scoffed.

"I'll find her," Ava repeated, her tone leaving no room for argument.

He considered it for a moment, the prospect of seeing Olivia again overriding his skepticism. He believed it was an empty promise, a desperate ploy. He would let her try and fail.

"Fine," he agreed, his voice cold. "You find Olivia, and I'll sign the papers."