SHATTERED ILLUSION:EVESWOOD SCANDALS

~CHAPTER TWO~

The first tendrils of dawn filtered through the window of Ethan Hayes' downtown apartment as he stirred awake, the ghost of a dream already slipping through his fingers. Rolling onto his back, he attempted to reconstruct the hazy images that had fragmented his sleep, but they drifted further into wisps of nothing.

Another night spent chasing apparitions.

His muscles ached as he swung his legs out of bed, four years of restless nights catching up to him all at once. Shuffling into the kitchen, Ethan brewed a pot of strong coffee in vain hope it might chase away the lingering confusion. Behind the steam fogging his reflection in the window, the sun inched higher over Eveswood's idyllic façade. Another perfect summer morning dawned upon the picturesque town, revealing none of its shadows.

As always, Ethan found solace in routine. A hot shower revived his weary frame before dressing in worn jeans and a navy shirt, steeling himself for what surely awaited downstairs. At precisely 7:30am, he entered the Maple Diner for his regular breakfast order-two eggs over easy, rye toast and bitter black coffee.

Sliding into his usual booth, Ethan glanced over the newspaper without much focus, content to lose himself in trivial headlines instead of dredging up dark memories. That's when she appeared, like the proverbial bad penny, slipping into the seat across from him uninvited.

"Well if it isn't my favorite ex," Olivia Reed drawled, her tone dripping with artifice.

Despite four years apart, not a line had softened the sharp edges of her beauty. Platinum hair curled in elegant waves down her bare shoulders, twin sapphire eyes gleaming with mischief, and lips curved in perpetual half-smile-a picture of effortless allure masking a heart of thorns.

Ethan suppressed a sigh. "Good morning, Olivia."

"Still radiating that irresistible charm, I see." She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your return to Eveswood?"

"My return was long overdue." Ethan kept his gaze trained on the article before him, unwilling to engage her probing stare. "I needed a change of scenery."

"And how has the scenic route treated you so far?"

Her tone dripped with faux concern, a wolf masquerading in sheep's clothing. Despite his rising temper, Ethan knew better than to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Can't a man have a peaceful breakfast in his hometown?"

Olivia's grin turned predatory. "Not while I'm still around to liven things up, darling."

As their waitress set down Ethan's order with meticulous timing, Olivia flashed her dazzling smile.

"Well, enjoy your meal. You know where to find me if you ever need... company."

She slipped from the booth with a flourish, leaving only the faint trace of her cloying perfume lingering in her wake. Ethan exhaled slowly, tearing his gaze from her retreating form to focus on more pleasant distractions. Like the article speculating on Natalie Graham's latest scandalous role, or the photo of young starlet Chloe Harper beaming beside her handsome co-star;Max Wayne.

Ethan allowed the mundane comforts of celebrity gossip to placate frayed nerves, shoveling scrambled eggs into his mouth with renewed vigor. By the time he waved off his third refill, the morning's disruption faded into a distant memory. Stepping out onto the sidewalk with renewed resolve, Ethan tucked loose change into the musician's open case with a wink.

The melodic strumming of an acoustic guitar drifted from the shaded alcove, weaving a tranquil ambiance through the bustling streetscape. Lost in the lyrics of a familiar folk tune, Ethan almost missed the radiant smile directed his way from across the square.