Page 137 of The Illusion
The following week, I'm having breakfast with my mom on the Lido deck when her phone buzzes. She glances at it, frowns, and then looks at me. "Julie."
Something in her tone makes my stomach drop. "What?"
She turns her phone toward me. It's a news notification.
BREAKING: Asher Stevens Takes Leave of Absence from Ancre
I process the headline, my coffee cup frozen halfway to my lips. "Click it," I say.
Mom taps the notification and the article loads.
Asher Stevens, CEO of cybersecurity firm Ancre and son of late tech mogul Dean Stevens, has announced he is taking an immediate leave of absence from his position. The decision comes amid personal matters that require his full attention, according to a press release issued by the company's board of directors this morning.
"We support Asher during this difficult time and look forward to his return when circumstances allow," the statement reads. No timeline for his return has been provided.
The announcement follows recent public scrutiny after photos surfaced of Stevens with his teenage stepsister, sparking widespread speculation about the nature of their relationship. Stevens recently separated from his wife, Julie Stevens, after two years of marriage. Divorce has been filed.
Ancre's board has appointed Chief Operating Officer Michael Brennan as interim CEO. Shares of Ancre dropped 8% in early trading following the announcement.
I read it twice. Then a third time. "He's stepping down," I whisper.
"Taking a leave of absence," Mom corrects gently. "But yes."
"Because of the photos."
"Probably. And the speculation. And the board." She reaches across the table and takes my hand. "This isn't your fault."
"I know."
"Do you?"
I look at her. "I absolutely do. I didn't post those photos. I didn't make him kiss Devon on a hotel balcony where anyone could see. I didn't make him lie or cheat or manipulate. He did that. All of it. And now he’s paying.”
My mom nods. “And now he’s paying.”
I don’t care if it makes me a shitty person. Knowing that he’s suffering makes me smile. Karma really is doing a number on him. Just like I hoped.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-TWO
RYAN
My heart doessome weird super-beat thing when I see the text from Julie.
Landed. Exhausted. Home in a few hours.
I smile at my phone, a feeling of relief spreading through me. She’s back.
Welcome back. Let me know if you need anything.
Three months. She's been gone for three months. She said she found something out on the sea, so she extended the length of her trip. I hope what she found were some of the pieces of her that Asher stole.
Ninety-one days of daily texts. Sometimes just emojis—a sunset, a palm tree, a coffee cup. Sometimes paragraphs about what she saw or ate or thought about. Sometimes justI'm okay todayorToday was hardorI miss Seattle.
I always responded. Always showed up, even from thousands of miles away. And now she's back. I set my phone down and stare at the ceiling of my bedroom.
I've spent almost three years now keeping my feelings locked away. Years of watching her with Asher, telling myself it was fine, that I'd missed my chance and that had to be okay. Years of comparing every woman I met to her and finding them all lacking. But I never let myself go there. Not really. Not when she was with my best friend.
