The Orchid's Dying Breath

Ethan swirled his whiskey, convinced, "Relationships, marriage, it's all a game, and the one who cares less, wins."

He' d often said it, casually dismissing his wife, Chloe, and believing she loved him too much to ever leave.

Then came Mark's hushed words, cutting through the bar's noise like a knife: "She's dead, Ethan."

Dead? Ethan laughed, a harsh, unnatural sound, certain it was a twisted prank.

Chloe was just at Olivia's, throwing a tantrum, he' d even mocked her "vacation" in a text.