It was a day when all the beauty of New York was still in the air. Brian had taken Love, fed her breakfast, and started looking for a rental place. He had thought it all through in his head, made up his mind, and his decision was to stay in New York. Unintentionally, he didn't want to distance himself from Michelle and Theo. He wanted to follow them, to hurt them. He wanted to make them so scared they couldn't sleep at night, to become their worst nightmare — but without crossing the line too far.
But at the same time, life went on. He couldn't get the woman he had just met, Scarlett, out of his mind. He wanted to sleep with her. She was an incredibly attractive woman. After marrying someone as high-level beautiful as Michelle, anything less just wouldn't cut it for him anymore. Wanting someone even better was only natural.
"Everyone rise!"
The deep, firm voice of the court clerk echoed through the room. Within seconds, the judge walked in, his black robe swaying down to his knees. Brian pushed himself up, pressing his hand on his knee as he stood. Michelle's gaze pierced straight through him.
When the judge took his seat, the tension in the courtroom peaked.
"You may sit. Court is now in session."
Brian exhaled heavily and sat back down. The tips of his fingers were still numb from where they'd been pressing on his knee. Michelle sat upright next to her lawyer, not taking her eyes off him for even a second. That look… it was still the same. No love in it, no pity. Only cold, ice-like hatred.
The judge pulled the files in front of him.
"Easton versus Easton. The parties have not reached an agreement on divorce and custody. We will first hear the plaintiff's side."
Michelle's lawyer stood, straightened his papers.
"Your honor, considering the history of both physical and psychological abuse from the opposing party, my client must be granted full custody of her daughter for the child's safety…"
Brian's lips tightened involuntarily. Bullshit, he thought, but stayed silent. His lawyer's hand on his shoulder was saying, You'll talk when it's your turn.
While the clerk was taking notes, the only sounds in the room were the scratching of pens and the rustle of paper. Outside, it had started to rain; the sound of drops hitting the windows merged with Brian's heartbeat.
The judge removed his glasses and looked at Brian.
"Mr. Easton, what is your response to these accusations?"
Brian raised his head and locked eyes with Michelle. In that moment, the courtroom shrank, everyone else disappeared. It was just the two of them.
"Half of this is a lie… and the other half is an exaggeration," he said. His voice was cold, but there was anger and a dozen unfinished sentences inside it.
"And what about your aggressive behavior?" the judge asked, staring straight at Brian.
"I had the kind of anger outbursts any human could have, your honor. I went to the cinema. When I saw those two there, smiling at me, I couldn't hold myself back."
Michelle's lawyer cut in sharply, staring at Brian. He knew Brian was lying and, wanting to protect his client, spoke in a harsh tone:
"The cameras present will prove these claims false, as there was no such smiling, provoking behavior. This is nothing but a lie made up by Mr. Brian Easton."
The judge turned back to Brian, but this time Brian's lawyer stepped in.
"The individual named Theo Bernthal called my client that day and mocked him verbally. Despite my client warning him not to call again, he continued. If you wish, your honor, we can all listen to the call recording."
As the words went back and forth, Brian couldn't take his eyes off the pair. Oh, Michelle… I'm go— I'm gonna hurt you both so bad. Count on it. Theo, on the other hand, was too scared to even look at Brian. Michelle was looking at him as if the only guilty one here was Brian — as if she hadn't done anything herself, as if she was the innocent one.
The discussion went on for a while longer, neither side's lawyers backing down. When the judge turned to Michelle's side to hear what they were requesting, her lawyer spoke up.
"First of all, your honor, a man as aggressive as Brian Easton should not be given full custody of a baby. This is a man who, with a seven-month-old child, followed people and even left the child alone in the car. No matter the circumstances, my client fully deserves custody of the child."
"Bullshit!" Brian shouted suddenly, getting to his feet. Even though his lawyer grabbed his shoulder, he couldn't calm him down. "I disagree with the crap this so-called lawyer is spouting. This is a woman who abandoned her seven-month-old baby with just a note, for her ex-boyfriend. If, in the future, Theo Bernthal says, 'We can't take care of Love, she's too fussy, she cries too much, let's just give her away' — what's to say she won't abandon her again? If your ruling goes that way, your honor, I'd like to tell you that you'd be making a huge mistake."
Brian's words silenced the courtroom. Everyone was staring at Michelle, and Michelle, head bowed, just sat there. Her lawyer quickly stood up:
"I'd like to remind the court of Mr. Easton's disrespect just now before I continue, your honor."
"Go ahead," said the judge.
"My client left because she was married to a man who gave no love or care at home and only expected service. She would have returned to take her daughter after settling her affairs in New York. However, the opposing party, with his impatience and aggressive behavior, followed and assaulted her."
"Are you gonna keep repeating the same shit like a broken record, buddy?" Brian snapped.
"Show some respect, sir. You are speaking to a lawyer."
"I don't give a fuck about your lawyering!" Brian yelled, and was about to continue when the judge's shout cut him off. His glare toward the others was full of fury, as if he could kill them all.
After calming the room down a bit, the judge tapped his gavel to announce he had reached a decision. The silence and tension inside were thick. Everyone was staring at him. The judge removed his glasses and set them on the table.
"Based on the statements and evidence presented, the court finds that the child's best interests lie with the father," the judge said.
A low murmur rose in the room.
"Custody will be granted to Mr. Brian Easton. Furthermore, the defendant's request for alimony is denied."
For a moment, Brian forgot to breathe. He slowly lifted his head and looked at Michelle. There wasn't a single change in her expression — but her eyes… her eyes burned like fire.
The judge tapped his gavel again. "Court is adjourned."
"Everyone rise!" the clerk shouted. As people stood, Brian slowly straightened up, never taking his eyes off Michelle. This might have looked like a victory, but there was no feeling of triumph inside him. Only the silence before an approaching storm.
That night, Brian returned to his newly rented house. He had been living there for a month now, fully settling into life in New York. He had brought his car and all his belongings here, and after saying goodbye to his family and Vivian, he had officially moved to New York.
The work situation, however, still wasn't fully resolved. With his last 300 dollars in his pocket, he needed to find a job — but he couldn't muster the energy to leave the house. He got up, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and muttered, "Why am I always drinking whiskey?" before stepping outside the front door.
He sat on a chair and lit a cigarette. The weather was beautiful. Deep down, his mood was starting to lift. He chuckled to himself — "Hahahah" — and took a sip of whiskey. After another drag from his cigarette, he laughed again, thinking about it all. The moment the judge announced his decision, the regret and stupidity on Michelle and Theo's faces replayed in his mind, and it made him feel even better.
But then, something completely unexpected happened — the screen door at the front of the house opened. The main door was already open; only the screen had been closed. Brian jumped up instantly and saw Love, awake from her sleep, crawling toward him.
With a sudden burst of joy, he scooped her up into his arms and spun her around in the air. He sang her favorite song, and between her baby laughter and his voice, they shared one of the most perfect nights he'd had in a long time.
Two days remained before Brian was to start his new job. His new life had begun, and now he needed to find a babysitter for Love. Even though he could easily find work, this time he needed to prove himself on the ground. He couldn't take Love with him.
Scrolling through ads online, Brian invited several women over to the house. He specifically chose the attractive ones — maybe luck would be on his side. Suddenly, a thought hit him. He hadn't had sex in a long time. The last person he'd slept with was his ex-wife, Michelle, and now he needed to find someone new. He wasn't looking for love; he was looking for a night of pleasure at its peak.
That evening, Brian dressed up nicely. He'd shaved earlier in the day, and although he had lost some weight from everything that had happened recently, his charisma was still there. Taking Love with him, he left the house. Stopping at the gas station, he remembered he had 300 dollars in his pocket and still filled up his tank.
"Two hundred and forty-eight dollars left, a month until I get paid, and I'm still chasing sex. What a dumbass you are, Brian," he thought to himself.
When he went inside and didn't see Scarlett, he was surprised. He bought two chocolates just for show and went to the cashier.
"She quit," the cashier said when Brian asked about her. The words hit him like ice water poured over his head. He had been very drawn to the woman he'd met a month earlier, but his mind had been too crowded back then to make a move. Now that he wanted to, it was the perfect timing.
He asked the cashier for Scarlett's number, but no matter how much he pushed, the cashier wouldn't give it. Leaving the store, Brian sat in his car and searched "Scarlett Sable" on Instagram — nothing. He tried all sorts of variations, but it was still a dead end.
"Fuck this shit, Brian," he muttered to himself and drove home.
Love was playing with her toys. Brian was watching a show on TV, occasionally checking his phone, and every time he remembered the $17,000 he still owed his lawyer, his stomach sank. He had $244 left. The chocolates had cost him $4. Rent was $1,450, and another $1,800 or so went to other expenses. There was no way he could afford all this with $244.
Women kept coming and going for babysitter interviews, but he couldn't find what he was looking for. Beyond his own attraction, he wanted someone who could take the best care of Love. Most were asking at least $20 an hour. For someone like Brian, who used to make $6,500 a month, rent, bills, and babysitter fees would make living impossible. And that was when he was a foreman — the boss. Now, he was just going to be an employee, and they certainly wouldn't start him at $6,500.
The joy from that one perfect night had faded fast. The other days were filled with the same anger and stress. Taking Love again, he went out for another drive. As they toured the city, his mind was stuck on the cost of gas. He didn't have the strength to drop another $50. He had to be careful.
After a bit of driving around, he found himself — against his better judgment — turning onto side streets that led to Michelle and Theo's house.
"I shouldn't. I shouldn't. If I get caught again, they'll fuck my life over," he thought, but he couldn't stop himself.
He saw Theo smoking outside. Michelle joined him after a while. The two sat in chairs outside, Michelle resting her head on Theo's shoulder, Theo's arm behind her with his hand on her waist. They sat there quietly. Even if they had been talking, Brian wouldn't have heard them, but their lips weren't moving.
After a moment, Brian stepped out of the car without even knowing why. He moved closer, hiding behind another car, peeking through the back window. His cap was pulled low, and he just stood there watching. Dark thoughts crept back into his mind. He thought he'd cooled down before, but he never really had.
When he got back home, Brian started pacing in circles, lost in thought. He walked around the living room, careful not to step on Love as she played on the carpet. Love thought her dad was playing some kind of game and laughed every time he completed a loop. Brian smiled back at her.
Then the doorbell rang. Surprised, Brian went to answer it.
It was a woman who had seen his babysitter ad and come for an interview. She looked older, but seemed experienced. After they sat down and talked, the woman's request for $2,000 a month surprised Brian — and made him happy. It was almost half of what the others had been asking.
After they agreed, the woman was about to leave when she said, "If you want, I can start today. Just pay me a day early at the end of the month. Is that okay?"
Brian thought it over. Her starting today meant some free time for himself. "Alright, sure," he said and left the house — but he stayed close by, secretly watching for an hour or two just in case. When he saw nothing suspicious, he finally got in his car and drove off.
No matter how long he drove, his mind was still on Love. For the first time in over a month, he had been away from her, and it made him uneasy. He kept wondering, Should I just go back? But he knew he needed to get used to this — in a day or two he would be starting work.
By the evening, with two hours left before the babysitter's shift ended, he decided he'd go to the bar where he'd first met Scarlett. Maybe she would be there.
Brian walked in without looking around, heading straight to the bar and ordering a beer. He didn't want to spend too much — whiskey could wait. As he glanced around the room, no one caught his interest. Especially not Scarlett. Realizing she wasn't there made his mood drop.
He sat with his back to the bar, sipping his beer for about ten minutes, when he heard a voice behind him.
"Well, well, look who it is… my husband. Hahahaha."
Brian turned around, and his heart started pounding from head to toe. He couldn't explain what it was about this woman that drew him in so much. He knew it wasn't love.
Smiling, he said, "You've gotten used to calling me your husband, huh?" They both laughed.
"I heard you were asking about me," Scarlett said, adding that the gas station cashier had told her.
"Damn snitch, hahaha. Yeah, I went in to get gas, didn't see you, so I asked. Doesn't a husband have the right to know where his wife is?"
"Actually, I want to ask you something important," Scarlett said, half-smiling, half-serious. "Where did that line even come from?"
Brian smiled, looked off to the side, then back at her. "I was a bit drunk and going through some bad shit. Just said it for the hell of it." He smiled again. Scarlett didn't return the same warmth — she was studying him, trying to understand.
They kept talking, the pull between them growing stronger. Since Brian only wanted a one-night stand, he turned up the charm, bringing back the skills from his happy single days. He put his hand on Scarlett's waist, leaned in close to her ear, and whispered, "Come on, let's dance."
Ignoring Scarlett's headshakes, he took her hands and pulled her onto the floor. The two of them, tipsy, danced to a high-energy track, laughing and holding each other close. It felt like the rest of the people had vanished, like they were the only two there.
Then a slow, romantic song started, and Brian was about to head back to the bar when Scarlett grabbed his hands and pulled him back onto the floor.
"Why the hell are they playing this song in a bar?" Brian whispered in her ear. The noise meant they had to lean in close to be heard.
"Forget it, just dance," she said.
Brian's hands rested on her waist, hers wrapped behind his neck. They sang along to the song while keeping eye contact, gazes heavy with emotion. Brian realized what he was feeling wasn't love — it was excitement. He liked her, but knew he could never love her. Still, he wanted to keep going. There's no rule that says you have to fall in love. You have to enjoy life, he thought — and then pressed his lips to hers.
It was a deep, passionate kiss — until Scarlett pulled away a few seconds later and walked off the floor.
"Scarlett! Where are you going? HEY! Where are you going? HEY!" Brian shouted after her, but Scarlett walked straight out of the place.
He caught up to her outside and grabbed her arms.
"I'm sorry, I think I misread the situation for a moment. You don't have to go."
Scarlett looked at him with a blank expression. "I have to. Sorry," she said, and left.
When Brian got home, he thanked the babysitter and sent her on her way. Love was already asleep — something that genuinely surprised him. Whenever he looked after her, she would stay up late into the night, but this woman had managed to put her down.
Careful not to wake his daughter, he kissed her forehead. Then he checked his wallet — $212 left. Tonight's drinks had been split between them, but they'd still had more than they should.
He sat for a moment, wondering, Why did Scarlett react like that? Maybe she had a dark romantic past like he did. Maybe she was married. His thoughts went in circles, but at the same time, he realized he didn't really care. Right now, sure, it bothered him — but in two days, he knew he'd forget.
After sitting there for a while, he got up to go back inside when suddenly, a car screeched to a stop in front of his house. The brakes screamed, and three or four men jumped out, running straight at him.
Brian tried to step back, but one of them grabbed his arm and threw him.
"You're messing with people way out of your league!" one of them barked, before they all started raining punches and kicks on him.
Curled up on the ground, Brian shouted, "Stop!" But no one stopped. Some cursed at him, others stayed silent and kept hitting.
Finally, another man got out of the car, stepped onto Brian's chest, and turned his head up to face him.
"You… you bastard," Brian muttered, barely able to speak, his mouth and face covered in blood.
"Didn't I tell you to stay the fuck away from us, you son of a bitch?" the man said, landing another punch on Brian.
"I— I… I promise you. After I recover… I'm gonna find you… and I'm gonna fucking kill you, Theo."
It was Theo. He hadn't come alone — he'd gathered people and had Brian beaten badly. They jumped back in the car and sped away, leaving Brian lying in a pool of blood.
Groaning, Brian forced himself up. "Ahhhhhh!" he shouted, summoning the last of his strength to get inside. He stumbled and collapsed onto the floor, then gripped the couch to pull himself back up. He staggered to the bathroom, leaned over the sink to wash his face — and froze when he saw the basin fill with blood.
He called an ambulance.
They didn't take him to the hospital. The care was given at home, because even if his condition warranted a hospital stay, Brian refused to leave Love alone in the house. But that wasn't what worried him the most — it was the police questions.
"Who did this to you?" the officer asked.
"Probably hit on the wrong woman at the bar. They gave me what I deserved," Brian answered.
He wasn't going to mention Theo. Theo was someone he'd take care of himself. But did he really need to? He'd already beaten Theo once before. Maybe this was just retaliation, and that was fair.
Even with those thoughts in his head, deep down, what he'd do was obvious.
"I'm gonna crack your skull, Theo. Ju— just wait for me!"