Breathe

Chapter 12: Obsessive Love

Chapter 12: Obsessive Love

Sun shone through the trees on the summer day. It was not too hot, a gentle breeze ruffled her cascading hair. She wore a pastel colored dress and wedges. She hummed the tune of some song as she walked down the path to where her friend's wedding would take place. It was far from where she lived in Boston so she had had to stay in a hotel the night before to be on time. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. She looked down at her left ring finger newly adorned by the engagement ring Ethan had given her a few days ago. She was happy. She was in love. At least she thought it was love.

The wedding would be in a large gazebo that stood at the bottom of a hill. The path became stairs. Very tricky stairs. Roots and rocks bending every which way making the trek down a bit hazardous for her shoes. Ethan had already arrived as he was best man and he and the groom had 'things' to do before the wedding. Had he been with her he might have been the one to help her down but he was not.

"Need a hand there?" Someone called behind her.

"That would be great. If not I'm afraid I'll end up down there all covered in cuts and bruises." She replied with a chuckle.

"Daniel." He said, offering his hand with a smile .

"Aelwyne." She replied, taking it.

It was innocent, their interaction. There was no flirting of any kind. Just a gentleman helping a lady down the steps. However Ethan had not seen it that way. He met them at the bottom of the stairs and as she went to give him a kiss he stormed past her to grab the other man by the collars of his jacket. She tugged at him trying to get him to stop. He pushed her away, she lost her balance and fell. People came out to see what the commotion was about. Daniel tried to explain but Ethan would not hear any of it. He accused Daniel of making a pass at her. Someone came and helped her up as Ethan began to be more aggressive towards Daniel so again she tried to pull him away but he would not budge.

"Did you find him at the hotel last night? You are a whore. A slut. Throwing yourself at any man that looks at you. But that's not going to continue because you are mine." Ethan said as he finally let go of Daniel and grabbed her.

She fought, trying to get him to let her go. He kept insulting her and calling her his property as he dug his fingers onto her arms. His were eyes full of hatred. She knew then that it was not right. Their relationship. Their engagement. It was not right. What she thought was love was just a possessive obsession. She had ignored it. The jealousy out of nowhere. The looks he gave her other male friends. The way he tried to control every little thing she did. She ignored it. She had tried to convince herself it was because he loved her. Enamored by the idea that they could be the family she had wished for since she was a little girl. But it was not love. Ethan did not love her. The realization of it all hit her like a bucket of cold water.

Other people came to her aid and managed to get him away from her. She felt tears running down her face as her whole body shook. She looked down at the ring and in one swift motion took it off and threw it at him.

"Goodbye Ethan." She said and thanking everyone she made her way back up the stairs.

Ethan called for her as he was still being held. She did not turn to look at him, she just kept on going until she got into her car and left.
After that she never answered his phone calls or texts. Never allowed him to see her. He tried in school but she was never alone. Then she got into her internship at Mass General, which was good, but she just needed the change, which led her to Seattle Grace.

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"Pl-please." Was all Aelwyne said.