They ordered takeout and ate it cold because they forgot to stop working. They argued about legal strategy and laughed at how little either of them actually knew what they were doing. And every night, Ethan would go home and lie awake wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. The call to his ex-wife’s lawyer came on a Thursday.

Ethan sat in his truck in the parking lot of the grocery store, staring at the number he’d sworn he’d never dial again. His finger hovered over the screen for a full minute before he finally pressed it. Three rings, then a voice he hadn’t heard in 3 years, smooth and sharp as a knife. Diane Fletcher.

Ethan’s throat went dry. It’s Ethan Vale. Silence, then carefully. Well, this is unexpected. I need a favor. You need a favor? Diane laughed short and bitter. That’s rich considering the last time we spoke, you told me to go to hell. I remember. So do I. Vividly. Paper shuffled in the background. What do you want, Ethan? He took a breath.

I need help with a case. Corporate litigation. forged documents, fraudulent contracts, the kind of thing you used to specialize in before you started demolishing people’s lives in divorce court. Another pause. Who’s the case for? A friend. You don’t have friends. I do now. Diane’s voice shifted, curiosity creeping in beneath the ice.

What kind of friend needs corporate litigation help bad enough that you’d call me? The kind being destroyed by her ex- fiance. Her. Diane drew the word out. Interesting. Does this friend have a name? Aurora Sinclair. The line went completely silent. Then Diane laughed. Really laughed. The kind of laugh that meant she’d just figured something out and found it hilarious. You’re kidding.

I’m not. Ethan Vale, the man who swore off women forever after his divorce, is calling me to help Aurora Sinclair. The Aurora Sinclair, the billionaire. Yeah. How the hell did you end up involved with her? She moved in across the street. Diane laughed again. Of course she did.

Because your life is apparently a terrible romcom now. Are you going to help or not? What’s in it for me? Ethan’s jaw clenched. You get to be a decent human being for once. Pass. Try again. He closed his eyes, hating himself. I’ll owe you. Now we’re talking. Diane’s voice turned calculating. What kind of documents are we talking about? Ethan explained the patent forgeries, the backdated contracts, the trail of manipulation Damian had left behind.

Diane listened without interrupting, which meant she was actually interested. When he finished, she was quiet for a long moment. “This is big,” she said finally. “I know. If you’re right about the forgeries, Cross could face criminal charges. I know that, too. and you’re willing to put yourself in the middle of this after everything you went through? Ethan looked across the parking lot toward Silver Creek, toward the town where he’d built a life specifically designed to avoid this kind of chaos.

Yeah, he said. I am. Diane sighed. You’re either brave or stupid. Probably stupid. Probably. Paper shuffled again. Send me everything you have. I’ll take a look. No promises. Thank you. Don’t thank me yet. If this blows up in your face, I’m not going down with you. The line went dead. Ethan sat in his truck for another 10 minutes, trying to convince himself he’d made the right choice.

He wasn’t convinced, but he drove home anyway. Aurora was waiting on his porch when he pulled into the driveway. Titan sprawled at her feet like a hairy rug. She stood when she saw him, her expression unreadable. “Where were you?” she asked. GG grocery store for 2 hours. I had a phone call to make. Aurora’s eyes narrowed.

What kind of phone call? Ethan climbed out of the truck and walked past her into the house. She followed, Titan trotting behind them. Ethan, he set his keys on the counter. I called Diane Fletcher. Aurora went very still. Your ex-wife’s lawyer. Yeah. The one who destroyed you. Yeah. Why? Because she’s the best corporate litigator I know.

And because if we’re going to prove Damian forged those contracts, we need someone who knows how to get evidence that’s locked in a Manhattan office building. Aurora’s face drained of color. You told her about me. I had to. What did you say? The truth. That you’re being framed. that Damian’s been planning this for years.

That the documents we found prove he forged your signatures. And what did she say? She said she’d look at what we have. Aurora started pacing, her hands shaking. Do you understand what you just did? I’m trying to help you. You just painted a target on your back. Diane Fletcher doesn’t do favors. She collects leverage.

And now she knows you’re involved with a billionaire fighting a legal war with one of the most powerful men in New York. I know. Do you? Because the second Damian finds out you’re working against him, he’s going to dig into your life, your finances, your custody arrangement. Aurora’s voice cracked. He’s going to come after Chloe.

Ethan’s chest tightened. I know the risks. Then why did you do it? Because you can’t fight this alone. I’ve been fighting alone my entire life. And how’s that working out for you? Aurora stopped pacing, her eyes filled with tears. I didn’t ask you to do this, she whispered. I know. I didn’t ask you to risk everything. I know.

Then why? Ethan crossed the kitchen and took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. Because I care about you, he said quietly. And I’m tired of watching people I care about get hurt while I stand on the sidelines doing nothing. Aurora’s breath hitched. You barely know me. I know enough. What if this destroys you? Then it destroys me.

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