Ethan POV

The night tasted like freedom—finally. Yet as the gates closed behind me earlier today, I had felt no peace. Everything felt loud. Too loud. The house buzzed with celebration, laughter, blessings thrown in my direction like confetti. Staff members hugging me as if I had risen from the grave. Emma… crying into my shirt. And still—my chest had been tight the entire time.

Now, seated in the back of the car, I stared through the window at the blur of streetlights.

Freedom felt ...