Chapter 79: Haunted by the Past

ETHAN

When I finally got home, I opened a bottle of whiskey and sank into the chair in my office in a failed attempt to get some work done. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep.

What I was feeling was a huge void. There was only one thing on my mind, and closing my eyes didn't make any difference. Because the only thing I could see was her face, and when I took a deep breath, I could almost smell her perfume.

How could I let this happen? Even with my attempt to keep a safe distance, she had succeeded. Will thought I was a coward for not letting anyone in, but what he didn't know was that she had already done that.

And that was enough to bring back the familiar pain that had accompanied me for a long time. It tied a knot in my throat and tightened my chest.

But there was always something bigger than all of this, something that made me hesitate and kept me safe. Fear. It was the only thing left from my shitty relationship. It was always with me, serving as a reminder that if I s