Chapter 105 What I Should’ve Said

Ethan’s POV The morning air was brisk, just sharp enough to sting my lungs. My shoes pounded rhythmically against the pavement, the sound of my breath cutting through the quiet. I usually liked this time of day, before the city was fully awake, before my phone started buzzing. But today, the silence gave my mind too much room to wander. It happened as I jogged near the lake. A memory. The one from a few months before the divorce. We’d been in the kitchen. Katelyn stood by the sink, her arms crossed so tightly across her chest, I remember thinking she looked like she was bracing for impact. I’d said something, I can’t even recall what anymore, but I’ll never forget her reply. “I hate you, Ethan.” Three words, so quiet I almost didn’t hear them. No shouting. No tears. Just flat finality. And I’d scoffed. Rolled my eyes. Told her she was being dramatic. God, what a fool I was. Because now, months later, I’d give anything to hear her say something with that much feeling again. Even if it w