Chapter 353: The Elevator Ghost

Maya wasn’t impressed with Ellis’s ex. “Wasn’t it obvious he cheated? Now he’s out here faking evidence? That kind of stuff could get him charged in court.”

“Exactly. I said he was just putting on a show, and he still had the nerve to deny it.”

“Your ex is worse than a clingy Band-Aid—like a piece of chewed-up gum that just won’t let go,” Maya added, patting Ellis on the shoulder with a look of genuine sympathy.

“Say one more word and I’ll throw up,” Ellis gagged dramatically. Seeing her friend genuinely disgusted, Maya wisely switched the subject.

Another hour passed. The two were now busy in the kitchen. It was getting close to dinner, and Maya had been craving barbecue. Ellis offered to cook one right there and told her to stay and eat before heading home.

Barbecue wasn’t a quick meal—it took time. Before they knew it, they were still eating well past eight, both of them slouched back with full bellies and satisfied smiles.

Just before they started cleaning up, Maya glanced over at the front door and couldn’t help muttering, “Your ex…”

Where the hell was he? She had seen Easton enter this very building with her own two eyes. It had been hours, and yet he never showed. Weird.

After years of friendship, Ellis knew exactly what Maya was thinking. Easton not showing up! Honestly, it was a win. At least he didn’t bring his bad energy with him.

She nudged the trash can with her foot, tipping leftovers in as she said, “Who cares? Guy’s nuts.”

“Should I move back in with you?” Maya asked, half-joking, half-serious. Her best friend living alone did make her a little nervous. If Ellis’s creepy ex got out of hand, Maya wanted to be there.

“He doesn’t seem capable of doing anything crazy anymore.” Ellis didn’t think Easton was dangerous—just insanely clingy, like a giant snake that latched onto its prey and refused to let go.

She cleaned the last bits off her plate with a fork, then looked up. “But hey, if you wanna move in, I’m all for it.”

Her lease wasn’t up yet, and she’d already paid for the year. There was no point in moving out now.

Back when she was in the hospital, the cops had come and told her Victoria was being held in detention. She’d be prosecuted soon—jail time was basically guaranteed. Victoria wasn’t a threat anymore.

As for whether her ex came by to bug her? Ellis had given up trying to control it. If he could find her in the middle of the ocean on a cruise ship, he could definitely find her no matter where she moved. Running wouldn’t help.

Maya glanced around with mock awe. “You get what you pay for. This place is way nicer than my tiny apartment. If I move in, I’ll be mooching off you and living the big-house life.”

She wasn’t actually envious—just worried. Ellis didn’t call her out on it, just smiled warmly.

After they cleaned up, Maya got ready to leave. “I’ll move in this weekend.”

“I’ll be waiting,” Ellis said with a nod.

Stuffed from dinner and seeing Maya off, Ellis walked her to the elevator. But just as the doors slid open, barely a crack wide, both of them froze.

They stood there, stunned. The man who’d vanished for hours was suddenly right in front of them.

Wait a second—the elevator had come down from the upper floors, not up from the lobby. If Easton had come to see her, shouldn’t he have taken the elevator up? What the hell was he doing upstairs?

Ellis frowned, clearly puzzled.

Easton, who had been standing in the center, shifted to the side as soon as he saw them, giving them space to step in. Typical. Even now, he was still acting like he belonged there.

Ellis didn’t move at first. She just gave him a cold, sharp look, then walked in. There was no avoiding him. If she didn’t get in now, he’d just follow her out and start causing problems. Might even sneak into her apartment the moment she turned her back. Better to get this over with outside the house.

Since Ellis stepped in, Maya had no choice but to follow. She purposely placed herself right between Ellis and Easton, becoming a human shield.

No one spoke. No one looked uncomfortable either. Silence stretched until they reached the first floor. When the doors opened, Ellis turned to Maya.

“Drive safe. Text me when you get home.”

A clear message. Maya got it instantly. Her friend wanted to face this alone—no backup needed.

She gave Easton a pointed look, sizing him up, then walked off. Ellis waited until Maya was a few steps away, then turned her full attention to her ex-husband. Her lips pressed into a tight, unhappy line. A spark of frustration lit in her eyes.

“Are you done yet?”