---- Chapter 8 The lease on their apartment was up at the end of the month. Ethan had handled the renewal notice, or so Ava had thought. When she called the management office to ask about breaking the lease, they were confused. "Mr. Reed informed us last month he would not be renewing," the agent said. "He said he was planning to move in with his new girlfriend." Ava's blood ran cold. He'd been planning to kick her out, even before the "amnesia." He was going to leave her homeless, just as the wedding approached. The cruelty of it was breathtaking. It only strengthened her resolve. She found a short-term sublet, a tiny studio across town. Anonymous. Safe. The day before her planned departure, Ava found herself drawn to the botanical garden. The place where Ethan had proposed. Under a canopy of cherry blossoms, he'd gotten down on one knee, his eyes shining with what she'd believed was pure love. She remembered the joy, the certainty. Now, it all felt like a scene from a movie, starring actors she didn't know ---- As she stood there, lost in thought, she saw them. Ethan and Chloe. They were walking towards the same spot, the cherry blossom canopy. Chloe was wearing a white dress. Ethan was holding her hand. "Okay, so I'll be standing here," Ethan was saying, positioning Chloe. "And you walk towards me, looking surprised, and then ... then the memories come flooding back! Ava! My Ava!" + He clutched his head dramatically. "Oh my god, | remember! | remember everything!" Chloe giggled. "Perfect! And then | look all sad and understanding, and gracefully step aside." "Exactly!" Ethan beamed. "She'll be so overwhelmed, so grateful. We'll be back on track for the wedding in no time." Ava watched from behind a large rhododendron bush, her heart like a stone in her chest. They were rehearsing Rehearsing his "miraculous recovery." The sheer, calculated audacity of it. She stayed hidden, listening. "This is going to be epic," Chloe said, snuggling up to Ethan. "You're a genius, baby." "l know," Ethan said, kissing her. "And once Ava and | are married... well, a little fun on the side never hurt anyone, right? You can stick around, if you play your cards right." Chloe pouted. "Just on the side?" ---- "Hey, a wife is a wife," Ethan said. "But you're... special." He winked. They started kissing again, more passionately this time, right there under the cherry blossoms. Their voices dropped to murmurs, discussing their "game," their conquests, their utter contempt for Ava's feelings. Ava had heard enough. More than enough. She backed away slowly, unseen. There was no pain left. Just a cold, hard resolve. He would never have her. Not Ava Miller. Not Olivia Carter. She was done. Utterly, completely done. Her escape was no longer just a plan. It was a necessity. Her survival depended on it. 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.