“Rebecca! You need to listen to me,” he said, his voice frantic. “Things are bad. I— I need your help.”
“What do you mean? You left me alone. You weren’t even here for our daughter!”
“I didn’t have a choice!” He sounded panicked. “They’re claiming I’m involved in some fraud. I need you to back me up!”
“Back you up? Why would I do that?”
Silence stretched between us, thick with accusation. “I didn’t mean to leave you alone, I had to think on my feet. If they find out—”
The realization crashed down on me like a tidal wave. “You left me to cover up your crimes,” I murmured, the weight of betrayal choking me.
“No, it’s not like that! You don’t understand!”
“But I do!” I shouted, tears pooling in my eyes. “You put your mother’s birthday over me, over our baby! And now, you want me to help you escape consequences?”
“You need to help me, Rebecca. We can fix this together!”
“Fix this?” I echoed, stunned. “Our lives are shattered because of your choices!”
“Please, just think! Call me once you’re out of there,” he pleaded.
“I can’t believe you.” I disconnected, staring at the screen. How could the man I loved put me in this position? My mind raced with questions, dread twisting my insides.
Everything felt unsteady, as if the ground beneath me could vanish at any moment. Our future was hanging in the balance, dictated by his failures. Ethan’s choices had not just endangered him; they had shattered everything we had built.
