---- Chapter 7 Ava left the rooftop bar. She didn't take a cab. She just walked. Aimlessly. The city lights blurred around her. Her mind was a blank slate, wiped clean by the sheer, overwhelming force of Ethan's betrayal. The sounds from that service room echoed in her ears. She walked for miles, not knowing where she was going, not caring. The numbness was a strange kind of shield She found herself in front of the small, independent bookstore where she and Ethan used to spend hours. It was closed, dark. But the familiar green awning, the faded paint on the door, it all brought back a flood of memories. A different Ethan. A younger Ethan. An Ethan who had looked at her with genuine love. Or had it always been a performance? A tear escaped, then another. Not for the man he was now, but for the dream he had destroyed. "Ava? Is that you?" A kind voice. Mr. Henderson, the elderly owner of the bookstore. He was locking up. ---- "Mr. Henderson," Ava managed, wiping her eyes. "My dear, you look like you've seen a ghost. Are you alright?" She couldn't speak. She just shook her head. He looked at her with concern. "Come inside for a moment. Have some tea." She found herself in his small, cluttered office at the back of the store. He handed her a steaming mug. "| was clearing out some old boxes," he said gently, "and | found this. | think it belongs to you. Or, well, it was about you." He handed her a worn, leather-bound journal. Ava recognized the handwriting on the first page. Ethan's. From years ago. College. "His old poetry journal," Mr. Henderson said. "He left it here once, years ago, after one of your marathon reading sessions. | always meant to give it back." Ava opened it. Page after page of Ethan's messy scrawl. Poems. Musings. All about her. About her smile, her laugh, the way she looked when she was reading. Passionate. Intense. Full of a raw, youthful devotion. *"Ava. My guiding star. The compass of my heart."* *"Without her, | am just... adrift."* This was real. This couldn't have been faked. This was the Ethan she had fallen in love with ---- The Ethan who was now a distant, unrecognizable stranger. Ava read the journal, tears streaming down her face. Tears of grief for what was lost. Tears of anger for what he had become. Tears of a strange, painful closure. This Ethan, the one in these pages, was dead. And she had to let him go. She thanked Mr. Henderson, her voice thick with emotion, and left the bookstore, clutching the journal. She walked back to her apartment. His apartment. Ethan and Chloe were there. Sprawled on the sofa, watching a movie, a bowl of popcorn between them. They looked up as she entered. "Rough night?" Ethan asked, a smirk playing on his lips. He knew. He had to know she'd heard them. Chloe just giggled. Ava ignored them. She walked to the kitchen, found the trash can. She held the journal over it for a long moment. Then, she let it drop. It landed with a soft thud among the coffee grounds and vegetable peelings. The Ethan of the past was gone. Buried. And Ava Miller was one step closer to becoming Olivia Carter. ---- One step closer to freedom. 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.