Chapter 3 ~ A misunderstanding

“Rose, are you sure you’re okay?” Natalie asked.

Natalie had rushed over to her house the following day to check on her best friend. She was very worried, especially after seeing the news.

Tears formed in Rose’s eyes as she held her best friend's gaze. Words couldn’t form so all she could do was shake her head as the walls came crashing down. 

“You saw the news, Natalie, My marriage is about to end!” She buried her face in her hands her heart tearing into shreds of pieces. 

“Because of that bitch? She’s so shameless! Hanging onto a married man like that? Just say the word and I’ll give her a very friendly visit!” Natalie held Rose in her arms.

Rose knew her friend was anything but friendly and that made her laugh. She peeled away from her and wiped her tears, “Ethan seems to be still in love with her, I mean you should have seen how he almost flew when she called yesterday!” 

“And you’re just going to sit and watch her snatch what is yours?” Natalie asked in disbelief.

Rose sighed, feeling like she was carrying a ton of bricks on her shoulders, “What else can I do? He's always loved her.”

Yes, it was true that she still loved Ethan and he had been good to her for the past three years. She thought he would eventually fall head over heels for her as long as she kept doing her best. But since Zoe has come back, the formula was looking like it had expired.

It was like she had moved one step forward and ten steps backward. It reminded her of when they had just gotten married three years ago, or when she had a crush on him since she was a kid. 

“What do you mean?  You've had a crush on him for so many years and you've finally gotten married. It’s your marriage, Rose! Fight for him for crying out loud! You two have been getting closer each day for the past three years. He has never mistreated you before has he?” Natalie asked.

Rose shook her head while biting her lip and Natalie continued, “Exactly, so why should that desperate witch come and ruin what you’ve built? The problem began the day she showed up put her in her place!” Natalie said and leaned back in her chair.

After a few minutes, Rose responded, “You’re right! He’s my husband. She’s the one who should know her place.”

“That’s my girl! But seriously, if you need me to whoop her annoying ass, I know some people.” Natalie leaned over and whispered.

Rose threw her head back in laughter as Amanda walked in with a tray of coffee cups.

“Thank you, Amanda,” Rose said.

Amanda nodded respectfully and walked out.

Natalie took a cup and wanted to give it to Rose when bile rose in her throat. She stood and quickly rushed out of the room. 

A few minutes later, Rose returned and Natalie gave her a smug look, her eyes twinkling with anticipation, “What was that? Rose, are you?” She left the question hanging in the air.

“Yes!” Rose smiled as she sat back on the couch when Natalie placed the cup back down on the side table and pulled her friend into a tight hug.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a godmother! Oh, congratulations my sweetheart!” She squeezed her even tighter!

“Natalie!” Rose said between laughs, “You can let me go before you suffocate me!”

Once they had pulled apart, Natalie leaned closer, “Have you told Ethan yet?”

“No, I was going to yesterday but, well you saw the rest,” Rose responded with a painful stab to her heart.

It still hurt that Ethan left her like that. Not once but twice in one day!

“Well, you need to! This my friend is the magic that will wipe away that witch from your lives!” Natalie said with a smile.

“You think so?”

“Of course!”

******

Rose felt warm hands on her head as they brushed her hair backward. Her eyes opened slowly and landed on the handsome face that always made her heart race.

“Hey,” He said softly.

“Ethan?” Rose asked as she sat up.

 Ethan didn't know that Rose was pregnant and wondered why she went to bed so early. 

“You went to bed so early today, I brought you something.” He said and Rose’s heart began to beat wildly against her chest, ‘Is it the bracelet?’

“What is it?” Rose asked in a steady voice even though she was shaking inside.

“Turn over and close your eyes,”  Ethan said and Rose turned and gave him her back.

Rose felt a cold chain wrap around her neck. When Ethan turned her around, he had a look of regret in his eyes and it made Rose’s heart race.

“I’m sorry Rose, I couldn’t find the bracelet that you wanted. The one I had made for you was broken by Zoe accidentally when I dropped her off so I could only get you a necklace.” He reached for her hands and held them in his.

The touch felt like an electric shock and Rose felt her walls crumble down. All the anger she had pent up was melted by the gray stormy eyes that stared deep into her soul. 

Ethan’s gaze always managed to bring Rose to her knees. He rarely touched and looked at her that way, but when he did, Rose suddenly couldn’t remember how to breathe.

“I forgive you, but you owe me dinner.” She teased.

Ethan never joked with her and she expected him to dismiss her request but he shocked her when he responded and said,

“No problem, I wanted to do it yesterday but Zoe’s leg had been injured and she has an important show coming up. I felt bad since she got injured in our home.” Ethan squeezed her hand.

Rose‘s heart clenched at the way he spoke about Zoe, It was clear to her that he still cared about her and it tore her to shreds. 

“Okay.” She gave him half a smile as she wondered if he would care about Zoe the same way when he found out she was pregnant.

Ethan’s eyes softened and his blank expression returned and he stood, 

“Tomorrow evening, we have to go to Grandpa’s house. He invited us over for his party.” 

Rose nodded as a thought crossed her, 

‘This is great! I can announce the news tomorrow with everyone present. I’m sure Ethan and Grandpa will be happy.’