The Price of His "Parting Gift"

The Aspen snow fell, mirroring the blanket of happiness cocooning Ava Reed as she drove to Ethan Hayes' s mansion, a drone – her heartfelt anniversary gift – beside her.

Three years of love, whispered promises, and shared dreams were shattered when she overheard Ethan tell his friends she was just a "fun accessory," a "fling" he was ready to discard with a paltry directing gig as a "parting gift."

The laughter that followed was ugly, turning her world to ice. She burst in, confronted him, and threw his cruel words back, walking out on the man who had reduced their love to a transaction.