CHAPTER 6

I watched as Ethan sat up lazily, obviously still recovering from last night’s drunken state. “Ethan,” I began, “about last night…”

“Lizzy, I’m sorry about last night.” He interrupted, his eyes filled with regret. “I know what happened shouldn’t have. I regret my actions and I promise to take full responsibility for it.”

My skin tightened at his sudden apology; this was far from what I was expecting. I didn’t need any of it. It wasn’t wrong for two people to confess their feelings. I guessed he was scared I was going to get at him for sleeping with me. I wanted him to see me for the woman I am. Not his boss at work, not his friend, just two individuals in love.

“Ethan, I don’t need an apology. Moreover, what happened was consensual,” I stated slowly, hoping he’d understand.

“Ethan,” I called out, moving closer toward him. My hand reached for his face while I spoke. “what happened yesterday didn't suddenly happen. I love you, Ethan. I have always loved you. I just didn't know how to let you know. Now, what happened yesterday has given us a room to express ourselves and i hope you understand."

"Lizzy" he began, I....I...

"Let’s Get Married, Ethan.”i blurted out outrageously. It was as though i wasn't thinking straight. I wanted to let him know how much i loved him, how much i wanted him and this was the only thing i couldn think of.

Electrified by my words, Ethan jolted, pulling away from me instantly. It was as if a bond had broken from the way he reacted. Was I too upfront with my confession? Was it wrong for me to ask for marriage? Was I taking everything too fast? My mind raced through thousands of questions with no one to answer them. I sat there watching as Ethan stood up in shock. My ears itched for a word from him, a “yes,” maybe. Studying every one of his reactions, his eyes closed as he began to speak.

“Miss Douglas,” he started. “I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.” He stated bluntly.

His words cut through my skin like an axe. This was the first time in a long while since he called me by my last name. I could feel a drift between us, like he was setting a line between our friendship. The bitterness in my mouth worsened as I spoke. “Why, Ethan? Why can’t you marry me?” I murmured, audible enough for his ears.

Ethan’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Lizzy, I admire you a lot, but I don’t love you. Everything I said last night was a mistake. I must have thought you were Stella, my ex-girlfriend.” His voice trembled with confusion and regret. “I’m so sorry.”

The room seemed to shrink, my heart pounding in my chest. “Stella? Stella cheated on you Ethan” I yelled out, my voice barely a whisper. I needed him to think straight. He can't still be in love with her. Not after what she had done. Not after everything.

“Yes. She cheated but I'm sure she didn't mean to.” he admitted stupidly, looking at me with sorrow. “I’m so sorry, Lizzy. I never meant to hurt you.”

I didn’t know what to say. My world felt like it was crumbling around me. I couldn’t bear the thought of letting him go. “Ethan, you have to understand. Stella is dangerous. You don’t know what she’s capable of,” I said, desperation creeping into my voice.

Ethan shook his head, a look of disbelief on his face. “Lizzy, it sounds like you’re making things up to make Stella look bad. She loves me and must be going through a lot right now.”

“No, Ethan, you have to believe me,” I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. “She’s not who you think she is. Please, don’t go back to her. Let’s get married, i could help you seek revenge on her together.”

He looked at me, torn between disbelief and pity. “Lizzy, I can’t do that. What are you saying? I love Stella. We can work things out..I need to go."

His words were like daggers to my heart, each one cutting deeper than the last. “Ethan" I called out, my voice breaking.

“I’m sorry, Lizzy,” he said softly. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I can’t stay. Please, let what happened last night stay between us.”

With that, he picked up his clothes and left my apartment, leaving me in total despair. The silence of the room was deafening, my tears falling freely as I sat there, feeling more alone than ever.

I replayed his words over and over in my mind, each time feeling the pain anew. He didn’t love me. He never had. I was just a mistake, a drunken confusion in his mind. The realization was too much to bear. I curled up on the couch, sobbing uncontrollably, my heart shattered into pieces.

How could I have been so foolish? I had poured my heart out to him, exposed my deepest feelings, only to be rejected so bluntly. The pain was unbearable. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but there was no one here to hear me, no one to hold me and tell me it would be okay.

The hours passed in a blur. I didn’t move from the couch, my body numb from the emotional chaos within. Ethan’s absence was a gaping void, a reminder of the love I would never have. I thought about calling someone, a friend, anyone, but the thought of explaining what had happened, of reliving the rejection, was too much to handle.

I lay there for what felt like hours, tears drying on my cheeks. The sadness that had overwhelmed me began to shift, replaced by something darker, something stronger. It started as a flicker of determination, a spark that grew into a burning flame. How dare he reject me after everything I had done for him? How dare he think he could just walk away and run back to Stella, who had betrayed him?

The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. My sadness turned into fury. No, this wasn’t the end. I wouldn’t let him leave me like this. I had come too far, felt too much, sacrificed too many pieces of myself for him to walk away. He would be mine, no matter what it took.

Ethan thought he could choose Stella over me, but he was wrong. He didn’t see how much I loved him, how much I needed him. I would make him see it. I would make him understand. My heart pounded with a new resolve.

I sat up, wiping the last of my tears from my face. I was done being the victim. I was done feeling sorry for myself. Ethan was going to be mine. I would do whatever it took to win him back, to make him see that we belonged together. Not Stella, not anyone else.

I stood up, my mind calculating my next move. I had to find a way. Ethan was mine. He hasn't realized it yet, but he needed me as much as I needed him. I wouldn’t let anyone come between us, not even him.