[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221FDDD1-74":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},74,6,"Chapter 6: The Invitation That Backfired","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I couldn't recall the last time Everett and I had held a real conversation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He had come home to pack a suitcase, but he hadn't even bothered to tell me he was back. I stumbled upon him entirely by accident while heading downstairs for a glass of water. When the man saw me, there was a fleeting flicker of panic in his eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His lips twitched, as if he were wrestling with his own conscience. Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with a guarded, performative caution.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s the weekend tomorrow. Some friends and I are heading out for a camping trip. Evelyn, do you want to come along?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His entire frame was rigid as he asked. Was it anticipation? Or the cold dread of me actually saying yes? I couldn't help but let out a short, dry laugh. The tension in Everett’s eyes became even more pronounced. Suddenly, a wickedly amused thought occurred to me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure. It’s been years since I went on a camping trip. Why not?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man froze, staring at me as if I’d lost my mind. Everett knew better than anyone that I didn't fit into his circle of friends. That question had been nothing more than a courtesy, a hollow script he felt obligated to perform to maintain appearances.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He crouched down, his movements sharp and irritated, and started pulling his clothes back out of the suitcase. He wouldn't meet my gaze; he was clearly seething.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I just remembered some urgent matters at the office I need to handle. I'm not going anymore. And you shouldn't bother, either.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I didn't press him. I simply turned and headed back up the stairs, enjoying a refreshing glass of water in the quiet of the house.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A while later, I heard his car pull away. To make sure I didn't intercept him, Everett had been tiptoeing around, sneaking out like a thief with his luggage in tow. In the past, he might have been afraid of me embarrassing him in front of his friends. Now, he was just terrified that I might ruin his \"fun.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I stood by the window, watching the empty driveway where his car had vanished.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett, when are you finally going to bring up the divorce? Because, believe me, I’m ready.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272927466]