The clock on the wall neared 7:00 PM. Inside the quiet house, the aroma of a freshly cooked dinner lingered in the air. Ethan kept glance-checking the window, his heart lighter than it had been in days. Everything was ready. All that was left to do was wait for Viona.
When the distant rumble of her car engine finally cut through the evening quiet, followed by the familiar cadence of her footsteps approaching the porch, Ethan couldn't suppress his smile. He practically ran to the front door, throwing it open with the eager hope of seeing her tired face light up, waiting to hear her call him Honey.
The smile died on his face.
Viona was standing there, yes. But she wasn't alone.
Standing just half a step behind her was Helena.
Ethan's mind went blank. He had no idea how they had run into each other, let alone why Helena had the audacity to step foot in their home again after what she had done.
"Hello," Ethan said, his voice flat.
