CHAPTER 34

Ethan disappeared for three whole days. Pearl counted them…hour by dragging hour, night by restless night. She wasn’t used to silence from him. Not anymore. Not after the intimacy they'd shared, the things they’d said, the nights spent not just touching, but talking, peeling back layers of themselves like old wallpaper. But now? Nothing. Her texts went unread. Her calls rang out. It wasn't just the silence that unnerved her. It was what preceded it. His words, his gaze the last time they saw each other—like he knew something, like he was preparing for something. Her gut told her this wasn’t just some business trip. Something was off. Very off. Juno noticed too. “Where’s Ethan?” her daughter asked for the third time that morning, clutching her stuffed koala with a frown. “He’s… working, baby,” Pearl said, forcing a smile. “He’ll be back soon.” But she didn’t believe it. She was just about to call his assistant—hell, maybe even report him missing—when the knock came at the door.