The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 12

There they were–Ethan Foster and Zoey Shaw, walking hand in hand down the street like it was the most

natural thing in the world. A few people in their group chuckled and tease:.

“Zoey, you finally brought that boyfriend of three years out of hiding!”

Ethan gave them a charming, apologetic smile. “Work’s been crazy–totally my fault.”

Then he added graciously, “Zo tells me you’ve all taken good care of her. Whatever catches your eye today,

it’s on me.”

Three years.

That long ago, Zoey hadn’t even graduated. No wonder Ethan had fought tooth and nail to get her into the company despite all the pushback. He wasn’t trying to mentor her–he was protecting her.

Someone next me kicked a chair hard, the sound echoing enough to catch Ethan’s attention. He turned, spotted me–and immediately let go of her hand like he’d been burned.

“What are you doing here?”

I gave a humorless little laugh.

“This is what you call a professional relationship?”

He faltered for a second, then seemed to remember we were in the middle of a cold war. His voice shot up.

“I was just going along with it for her sake! Don’t be so naive. And you’ve got the nerve to yell at me? It’s work hours, and you’re just wandering around? You even remember I’m your boss?”

“You and your whole team–pay’s docked. All of it!”

Zoey could skip work to trail after him like a shadow, but he came down hard on us for doing far less.

I smiled coldly.

“Guess you didn’t get the memo–we all quit.”

“Good luck, Ethan. We’re out.”

He froze for a beat, then raise a brow, amused.

“Another one of your little games to get my attention?”

“I don’t have time for your drama!”

Chapter 4

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Oh, he was busy all right–busy dating Zoey, busy babysitting her college buddies, busy using punishments to

keep me in check.

Zoey tugged on his sleeve, pouring gasoline on the fire.

“Ethan, look at her–she’s blatantly disrespecting you, as her husband.”

“Quitting is one thing, but she’s taking your best people with her. She’s trying to destroy you.”

Her friends jumped in like a well–rehearsed chorus.

“Yeah, Zo’s the real deal–young, gorgeous, and obedient. At least she won’t stab you in the back.”

“We heard from Zo that Jane Rivers is just a lazy housewife who dumps all her work on Zo. She should’ve

fired ages ago.”

“She’s dead weight, man. Cut her loose already. Zoey’s the one who’s actually right for you.”

They kept piling it on–insults dressed up as advice, lies delivered like truth. And Ethan? He knew every word

was false.

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