Chapter 1

I stared out the window in my biology lab, barely registering the hum of conversation around me. Usually, I loved Professor Adams’ class—she had a way of making even cell division sound poetic—but today, everything felt muffled. Like I was watching the world from underwater.

Daniel had started the day the way he always did lately—with blame. I was the reason he was late to work. Not because he overslept. Not because he couldn’t find his keys. No—because I hadn’t made his coffee. Never mind that I’d had an exam yesterday and barely slept. Never mind that he had two perfectly good hands. In his world, I was always the problem. And the worst part? There was a time when he used to make me coffee. Bring me breakfast in bed. Tell me I was the best thing that ever happened to him. But that version of Daniel- the charming, considerate one I fell for—vanished when he knew he had me. The moment his ring was on my finger, he stopped pretending to be the man I loved and started punishing me for not being his idea of perfect.

A light breeze stirred the budding trees outside the window, sending dappled shadows across the floor. I squinted at the sunlight, watching it shift and flicker. My hair clung to my face. I should’ve brought a tie. But Daniel liked it down, so that’s how I wore it—even on days like this, when it stuck to my skin and got in the way.

“Alright, everyone,” Professor Adams’ voice broke through the fog. “Unless there are questions about the final project, I’m going to let you go early. Enjoy the sunshine. It’s a gift.”

Around me, students started packing up, a ripple of energy lifting the atmosphere. I moved slower. Nothing was waiting for me after class except more silence, and Daniel’s silence was never a peaceful one.

Still, I tried to shake it off. Maybe if I did something thoughtful, something nice, it would shift his mood. I’d pick up lunch from his favorite deli and surprise him. Maybe that would remind him I was trying. Remind him we used to laugh together.

As I stepped out into the spring air, the breeze carried the scent of fresh blooms and grass. Warmth spilled across my skin, and I closed my eyes, soaking it in. For a second, it felt like a life I wasn’t part of anymore—a life that didn’t revolve around tiptoeing around a man’s moods.

Daniel used to surprise me with lunch. He barely looked up from his phone when I walked into the room. Somewhere along the way, his affection turned into expectations, and my needs stopped mattering.

I reached the deli and placed the order. As I waited, I found myself thinking about Jackson—Daniel’s older brother. I hadn’t seen him in years. Not since he’d stormed out of a Reynolds family dinner and never came back. Jackson taught forensic anthropology at the university, though I’d never had one of his classes. He was quiet. Patient. He used to ask me what I was studying, then actually listen when I answered.

Daniel hated it. He accused me of flirting with Jackson, even in front of his parents. I thought he was just being protective back then. I didn’t realize it was the start of something darker.

Ready for lunch, I made my way to the Reynolds Advertising building. The security guard greeted me by name and handed me a visitor badge. I smiled politely and took the elevator to the twenty-fifth floor.

The office was quiet. Most of the staff had left for lunch. Even Daniel’s assistant, Ashley, wasn’t at her desk.

A year ago, I’d have walked in with a smile, certain he’d be happy to see me. Now? I just hoped he wouldn’t be annoyed that I showed up without texting first.

I pushed the office door open. No knock. I wanted it to feel spontaneous. Sweet.

What I saw instead burned into me.

Ashley was on his lap, blouse open, her mouth on his. His hands—his hands were on her in a way I hadn’t felt in months.

The deli bag slid from my hand, hitting the floor with a soft thud.

Daniel looked up, startled. Ashley pulled away, her expression twisting into something that wasn’t quite guilt. Daniel stood abruptly, pushing her aside like she was an inconvenience. “Olivia—wait, it’s not what it looks like.”

It was. And worse.

I took a step back. Then another. My ears were ringing. My breath came in short, shallow bursts. The kind that barely fed your lungs but somehow made your chest ache worse.

He constantly accused me of being too sensitive. Overreacting. Maybe if I hadn’t believed him for so long, I wouldn’t have been so shocked to find out I’d been right all along.

“I have to go,” I said, though I wasn’t sure the words made any sound.

Daniel reached for me.

I flinched like he’d slapped me.

And then I turned and walked. Past Ashley. Past the front desk. Past the version of myself who still believed Daniel could change.

The elevator doors closed behind me.

I didn’t cry.

Not yet.