---- Chapter 14 Years passed. Olivia Carter thrived. Carter Creative Designs became a respected name in Portland's design scene. She had a small office downtown, a couple of junior designers working for her. She bought a little bungalow with a garden, where she grew tomatoes and roses. Mrs. Albright gave her a gnome for good luck. She was confident. Independent. She dated occasionally. A kind, unassuming bookstore owner named Ben. It was nice. Easy. No drama. Sometimes, she still thought about Ethan. A distant memory, like a character in a bad dream. The anger was gone. So was the pain. There was just... nothing. A void where he used to be. And she was okay with that. Maya visited often. They'd hike in the Columbia River Gorge, explore Portland's food scene, laugh until their sides hurt. Maya was her rock, her family. One evening, Maya was scrolling through her phone, a grim look on her face. "What is it?" Olivia asked. ---- "Ethan," Maya said. "His startup officially imploded. Scandal, lawsuits. Chloe's revelations were just the tip of the iceberg. He's apparently drowning in debt. His family cut him off." Olivia felt a flicker of something. Not pity. Not satisfaction. Just... a quiet acknowledgment. Consequences. He had built his life on lies, and now the foundation was crumbling. "Good," Olivia said softly. And she meant it. Not for revenge. But for justice. For the order of things. More time passed. Another year. Maybe two. Olivia was sketching a new logo for a local community project, a program for at-risk youth. The rain was falling softly outside her office window, a familiar Portland rhythm. Her phone buzzed. A message from Maya. A link to an obscure online news article. From a small town a few hours outside New York. *"Fiery Crash Claims Life of Disgraced Tech Entrepreneur."* + Ethan Reed. Dead. High-speed chase. Police said he was under the influence. There was another passenger in the car. Critically injured. Chloe Vance. Olivia read the article, her face impassive. A sordid, messy end to a sordid, messy life. She closed the link. ---- She felt... a quiet sense of closure. A distant sorrow, not for the man he became, but for the boy in the poetry journal, the boy who had loved her, once, a long time ago. But mostly, she felt relief. His shadow, which had unknowingly lingered at the very edges of her new life, was finally, truly gone. Olivia Carter looked out at the Portland skyline, the rain washing the city clean. She picked up her pencil and went back to her sketch. She was at peace. The architect of her own life. A life lived on her own terms. Ava Miller was a whisper, a forgotten dream. 1 Olivia Carter was home. In "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" by CrushReel, the storyline unfolds as renowned photographer Jane finds herself drawn to the charismatic rookie model, Hector. Little does she know that Hector harbors a secret—he is actually the heir to a powerful business empire. As their romance blossoms, Hector grapples with concealing his true identity to capture Jane's heart. However, their love story takes a tumultuous turn when jealousy rears its ugly head, threatening to unravel the delicate balance they've built. This modern romance novel delves into themes of hidden identities, unexpected love, and the complexities of maintaining a relationship shrouded in secrecy. With its blend of sweet romance and suspenseful twists, "A Relationship Kept in The Dark" stands out for its exploration of hidden feelings and the consequences of revealing long-held secrets. For readers seeking a captivating tale that combines elements of romance, intrigue, and emotional depth, this ongoing story is available to read at CrushReel. Immerse yourself in the world of Jane and Hector as their journey unfolds against the backdrop of hidden truths and heartfelt revelations.