Drowning While He Fed Her Strawberries - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The mention of the ocean-view apartment and the class reunion sent a sharp pang through my chest.
That place had been Ethan's gift to me after the company went public.
He'd pressed the key into my palm with all the solemnity of a vow. "After we get married, this is our home. If I ever treat you badly, you can lock me out and let me sleep on the streets."
The love in his eyes back then was nowhere to be found now.
He didn't rush me—maybe sensing something was off—but a flicker of discomfort crossed his face.
I didn't make him wait long. After digging through my bag, I pulled out the key and handed it to him.
"Sorry, just trying to remember where I put it."
"There's no spare, so tell Sophie not to lose it. But if she does, no big deal—just change the locks." My tone was casual, like I was discussing the weather.
I kept rummaging until I found the stock transfer agreement.
When Ethan's company went public, I'd poured nearly all my savings into it. That's how I ended up with twenty percent of the shares. But now that we were cutting ties, keeping them felt... wrong.
I'd prepared the paperwork ages ago but forgotten about it in the chaos.
"Mind signing this? It's cleaner if the shares are consolidated. If you're good with it, just sign, and I'll handle the rest with finance."
Ethan's frown deepened.
"This is unnecessary."
"You helped build this company. Keeping those shares would set you up for life. Walking away now is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs."
His expression was unreadable—calm on the surface, but something restless simmered beneath. He couldn't quite place why it bothered him.
He'd seen the contract before. It was fair. More than fair—it favored him.
I pushed. "A company only needs one leader."
In the end, he signed.
Satisfied, I tucked the papers away and grabbed my suitcase.
"Tell Sophie to start packing. Wouldn't want her getting too comfortable alone in that place."
Back at the office, I wrapped up loose ends, then headed to finance to finalize everything.
Watching the zeros stack up in my account? That lifted my mood.
That evening, my professor called—repeatedly—to confirm my flight details. We talked until nearly ten.
The second I hung up, Ethan's call came through.
His voice was sharp. "Who were you talking to?"
"Why couldn't I reach you?"
I took a sip of water and glanced at my notifications—dozens of unread messages.
"Sorry! Got caught up chatting with an old friend and missed your texts."
"Sounds like you and Sophie are having fun. Enjoy yourselves—just don't forget there's still work to finish."
In the background, Sophie's voice drifted through.
"How do these pajamas look?"
"Do I smell good...?"
I was half-tempted to hang up when Ethan continued, "Don't get the wrong idea. I just took Sophie shopping. Picked up a few things for you too—those high-end brands you used to love."
I almost laughed. "You've got the wrong girl. I've never bought designer in my life. Keep them for Sophie—she'll appreciate them more."
One more day. Then I'm gone.