Chapter 8

Kyle came to pick me up from work and bumped into Ethan, who was waiting for me. Ethan's face darkened the moment he saw Kyle, but he said nothing. "Oli, can we talk?" A week had passed since we last parted. Ethan had lost even more weight, his eyes bloodshot, veins red and swollen. I knew that looked all too well because I'd felt the same once. I patted Kyle's arm, signaling for him to wait in the car. Ethan's voice was hoarse, rough like sandpaper. "Your piano... I've had it repaired." He added expectantly, "Do you want to go home and see it?" I pressed my lips together. No matter what, that piano was my mom's final gift to me. I absolutely had to get it back. "I don't need to see it. Just let me know when you're free, and I'll have someone pick it up," I said. Disappointment flashed across Ethan's face. He hesitated before asking, "You and him… Are you together?" I was taken aback. If a lie was what it took to make him give up and agree to a divorce, then I'd tell him. "