Cassandra looked at Ethan, the disbelief giving way to a mixture of awe and sadness. "It really is you... I can't believe it. You've changed so much."
"Life changes everyone, Cassandra. But not always for the worse," Ethan said softly. He gestured to the remnants of the chaos around them. "You were arguing with the Landlord. Are you alright?"
Cassandra sighed, running a hand through her long, brown hair. The previous fury was replaced by deep exhaustion. "No, I'm not. I haven't been alright for a while. The reason I was arguing... well, I'm getting divorced. We—my husband and I—just couldn't stand each other anymore. He was refusing to sign the papers until I gave up the last of my savings."
She glanced around the shabby hallway, a sense of crushing defeat settling over her. "I came back here for my last few things because I'm leaving. I can't handle this city anymore. I'm going back to the country, to live with my grandparents."
"Why the country?" Ethan asked, his voice low.
