CHAPTER FOURTY

Sam returned from the hotel she had spent the night, surprised to find Ethan at home. "Boss, didn't you go to work today?" she asked, knowing he worked at the police station.

Ethan shook his head. "I need to clear my mind, Sam. I'm going out."

Sam's curiosity was piqued. "Where are you going, boss?"

Ethan shrugged. "Maybe a beach or something."

Sam nodded. "Okay, boss. Have you eaten? Should I cook something for you?"

Ethan declined. "No, don't worry. I'll get something outside."

With that, Ethan dressed in casual attire – a black top, jeans, and sneakers – and headed out in his Lexus. His destination was a beach, where he hoped to clear his head.

As he drove, he spotted a bar and decided to stop for a drink. He ordered the most expensive wine on the menu and began drinking, hoping to drown his sorrows.

After hours of drinking,a group of women approached him, drawn by his handsome appearance. The leader of the group, a stunning woman, smiled at Ethan.

"Hi, I'm Samantha," she said. "And you are...?"

Ethan, already drunk, slurred his words. "I'm Ethan...!

Samantha flirted shamelessly with Ethan. "You're handsome, do you know that?"

Ethan chuckled, his words slurring. "Well, I have someone who tells me that... but she left me."

Samantha's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh, she left? She doesn't know what she just lost."

Ethan's eyes clouded, his voice filled with regret. "You know what? I'm at fault..."

The woman, Samantha, offered Ethan a sympathetic smile. "Oh, sorry to hear that. But it doesn't matter now."

She gestured to her friends. "These are my girls. We can handle you however you want."

Ethan's drunken smile faltered for a moment before he chuckled. "Really? You can handle me?"

Samantha moved closer, her voice taking on a flirtatious tone. "Come on, what are you saying? Look at us. We can do you however you want."

Ethan stood up, swaying slightly. "Yes, come on."

The women laughed, and Samantha instructed her friends, "Girls, hold him well. Let's take him to a room and have some fun."

The girls nodded, shamelessly eager to take advantage of Ethan's intoxicated state. As they led him away, Ethan stumbled, his senses dulled by the alcohol.

Samantha's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with excitement. "This is going to be fun."

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Ava's mind was a jumble of emotions as she struggled to concentrate. Everything seemed to be rushing through her head, making it hard to focus.

She couldn't believe she had fallen for a killer. Ethan's admission to the killing had left her reeling, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.

But despite her anger and disgust, Ava couldn't deny the pang of sadness she felt. She missed Ethan's charming smile, his gentle touch, and the way he made her feel like she was the only person in the world.

As she sat at her desk, Ava felt a wave of frustration wash over her. Why did she have to fall for a killer? Why did she have to feel this way?

Ava's eyes dropped to her hands, and she realized she was clutching her coffee cup tightly. It was a habit Ethan had gotten her into, and now it felt empty without him by her side.

With a sigh, Ava pushed the cup away, trying to shake off the memories of Ethan that lingered in every corner of her mind.

**************************

Ethan woke up with a pounding headache, his body aching all over. As he looked around, he saw three strange women in the room.

"Who are you guys, and where am I?" Ethan asked, confusion etched on his face.

Samantha drew closer, tracing an invisible line on his chest with her fingers. "I'm Samantha, remember? We had fun together."

Ethan's eyes widened as he sat up. "What do you mean?"

Samantha's expression was deadpan. "Don't you remember? We had fun with my girls, and it was so good."

Ethan's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. "You're joking, right?"

Samantha's expression didn't change. " Am I smiling or laughing? I'm not doing any of those two, so it means it actually happened."

Ethan buried his face in his hands, mortified. As he tried to stand up, he realized he was completely naked.

Samantha chuckled. "Yes, seriously. You told us to handle you, and that's what we did. You don't have to feel shy about it."

Ethan hastily grabbed the bedspread to cover himself. "Where are my clothes?"

Samantha pointed to the sofa. "Look, they're right there."

Ethan rushed to the sofa, grabbed his clothes, and started dressing. As he checked his phone, he saw it was already 12:15 PM.

Samantha called out to him as he headed for the door. "Hey, do you know what, I'm going to call you?"

Ethan turned to her, annoyed. "Call me?"

Samantha smiled slyly. "I already put my number in your phone and called myself with your phone, so your number is saved on mine. I'll definitely call you."

Ethan's face darkened. "Just shut up."

With that, Ethan stormed out of the room, leaving Samantha and her friends chuckling to themselves.

*******************************

The police station was abuzz with activity as officers and detectives scurried about, discussing the latest case. A pregnant woman had been found dead in her apartment, and her distraught husband had come to report the crime.

"He's in a state of panic," one of the officers whispered to Ava, who had just arrived at the interrogation room,"He's been crying and shouting, saying he has no idea who could have done this."

Ava's expression turned grim as she listened to the officer's summary. She knew that cases involving pregnant women were always particularly sensitive and emotionally charged.

Ava could hear the husband's anguished cries echoing through the interrogation room. "I don't know what happened! I came home, and she was just... lying there!"

Ava steeled herself for the difficult conversation ahead, knowing that she would have to ask tough questions to uncover the truth behind the young woman's tragic death.