Chapter 34

The next morning, Ethan woke with a pounding head and a heavier heart. The bottle still lay beside him, empty. His limbs protested every movement, but he forced himself up. He had to get through the lunch—appearances, legacy, duty, all that crap. There would be expectations, smiles and undercurrents no one would name out loud. He purposely dressed down, dark jeans, a plain black T-shirt, and a leather jacket. The bare minimum of effort. His father would hate it. That was the point.