Chapter 22

The warm summer breeze gently swept through the air as Ethan slowly pushed Ivy’s wheelchair around the edge of the fountain. Emma walked silently beside him—so quiet and unobtrusive, she didn’t demand attention, just existed, like the air. It struck Ethan that they had probably never gone on a walk like this together before. For the first time, this weird little moment started to settle into a strange spot in his chest— He didn’t feel the urge to push her away, to roll his eyes, or even lash out. “That cake was from Matthew. He also sent some money for Ms. Taylor’s medical expenses this year,” Emma said softly. Ethan didn’t respond. It didn’t take much for that name—one he’d wished he could erase from existence—to come rushing back. Matthew Thompson. The man who killed Sophie. A lousy 120 grand. That was the price tag put on her life? Was that enough to erase the endless grief that had turned Ivy’s hair completely white overnight? And now this guy pretended like tossing over some money