PART 2

The restaurant was full.

Not loud.

Just alive.

Couples celebrating anniversaries.

Executives discussing deals over wine.

Families sharing desserts beneath the glow of crystal chandeliers.

From Table 12, Ryan and Ashley had a perfect view of the Manhattan skyline.

The city kept moving.

Completely unaware that a life was about to collapse.

Ryan sat with his back to the entrance.

Ashley couldn’t stop looking around.

“I feel like everyone’s staring at us,” she said quietly.

Ryan smirked.

“That’s because not everyone can afford to eat here.”