Ethan Cross was a man who loved the simple things in life.A career. A woman who loved him. A family name. After twenty-four years, Ethan created the life that he wanted for himself. It may not have been the richest or most prestigious of lifestyles, but it was his life, nonetheless. For a man who lost his parents at the age of sixteen, simple things were good enough.The morning sun shone through the window of Ethan's apartment as he adjusted his tie in the mirror. He was wearing the navy blue necktie that Vanessa had gotten for his birthday. It was always her favorite because she felt that it brought out the fire in his eyes"You're staring again," Vanessa drawled sleepily from her spot on the bed.Ethan turned around to see Vanessa perched up on an elbow, strands of her dark hair cascading over her shoulder, a playful smile curving on her lips. Even after two years of dating, she still had that same effect on him"Just admiring the view," he replied, his voice smooth.Vanessa rolle

Ethan didn't sleep.He sat on his couch with the lights off, staring at the laptop screen. The transaction records glowed back at him. Dates. Amounts. Account numbers. All of them traced to his login credentials.Someone had been inside his apartment.Someone had used his computer.Liam arrived just after midnight. He was shorter than Ethan, wiry, with messy black hair and glasses that kept sliding down his nose. He carried a laptop bag over one shoulder and wore the same hoodie he had owned since college."You look terrible," Liam said."Thanks."Liam set his bag down and pulled out a small device. "I brought my forensic kit. Well, not really a kit. Just some software and a cable. But it'll work."Ethan watched as Liam connected the device to the laptop. The screen flickered."The lock was picked," Ethan said. "I checked. No forced entry. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.""Professional?""Maybe."Liam typed rapidly, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "I'm pulling the

The rain started again as Ethan left the coffee shop.It came down in sheets, hammering the pavement and turning the streets into mirrors. He pulled his jacket tighter and walked. He didn't know where he was going. He just needed to move.His phone buzzed. Vanessa.He let it ring.It buzzed again. And again. And again.Finally, he answered."What do you want?""Ethan, where are you?" Her voice was shaking. "I need to see you. Please.""Why? So you can lie to me again?""Please. Just come to the apartment. I'll explain everything."Ethan stopped walking. The rain soaked through his jacket. His shoes were already wet."You said that before," he said. "And all I got was more lies.""This is different. I swear."He closed his eyes. Every instinct told him to hang up. To walk away. To never speak to her again.But a small part of him still wanted answers."Fine. I'm coming."---The apartment building was dark when he arrived. The hallway lights flickered as he climbed the stairs. His foot

The holding cell was small and cold. Ethan sat on a metal bench, his back against the concrete wall. The only light came from a narrow window near the ceiling. He had lost track of time. Hours. Maybe longer. His phone was gone. His wallet was gone. Everything except the clothes on his back had been taken. He closed his eyes and tried to think. The arraignment was scheduled for the morning. Angela Voss had promised to be there. She had promised to fight. But promises felt hollow now. Victor had promised friendship. Vanessa had promised love. Marcus had promised family. All lies. --- A guard appeared at the cell door. "Cross. You've got a visitor." Ethan looked up. "Who?" "Your uncle." The words hit him like a punch. Marcus. Here. Now. "Send him away." The guard shrugged. "Your choice." He started to leave. "Wait." Ethan stood. "I'll see him." --- The visitation room was a narrow space divided by a glass partition. Ethan sat on one side. Marcus sat on the other. His u

Three days passed.Ethan didn't eat. He didn't sleep. He sat in his cell, staring at the wall, replaying every moment of his life that had led him here.The betrayal. The lies. The laughter in Victor's eyes when he walked away. The coldness in Lena's voice. The smirk on Tristan's face. The weakness in Marcus's eyes.He had trusted them all.And they had destroyed him.---On the fourth day, Angela Voss visited.She looked tired. Her sharp suit was wrinkled, and her eyes were red from lack of sleep. But her voice was steady."I've been working around the clock. The evidence against you is strong, but it's not perfect. There are gaps. Inconsistencies. If we can exploit them...""It won't matter."Angela paused. "What?"Ethan looked at her. "It won't matter. They've already won. The trial is just a formality. The judge has been paid. The prosecution has been coached. Everyone has already decided I'm guilty.""You don't know that.""Yes. I do."Angela leaned forward. "Ethan, listen to me.