A Tough Choice

Chapter Sixty Three

"Are you okay?" I eventually asked Ethan as he stared at me for what felt like an age.

"Are you sure?" he said eventually.

I nodded slowly. I hated the look of pain that was etched on his face. It was obvious that he was trying to hide it, but I wasn't fooled, I knew him to well.

"Ethan." I said gently.

I stood up and wrapped my arms around him. I heard him sigh as he rested his head against my stomach.

"How do you know it was him?" he whispered.

"He told me, when I said we were going to the station." I told him gently.

"He asked for a loan and I said no, so he obviously thought he'd help himself." he said.

"What do I do now?" he added.

"What do you mean?" I frowned.

"If I report him to the police he'll probably go to prison, but if I don't I'll never get my money back." he said sadly.

"You'll have to tell him you want it back." I sighed.

"He won't listen to me." he stated.

"I'll tell him then." I said angrily.

I quickly stood up and went downstairs to call Caleb.

Ethan's POV

I sat on the bed, staring at the floor numbly. It was almost impossible to process what had happened. I'd always known Caleb was selfish and devious, but this was a new depth even for him.

"Is everything okay?" Kirstie asked as she poked her head around the door.

I nodded slowly.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

I sighed and told her what had happened.

"He hasn't changed a bit." she stated.

"I don't think he's capable of change." I replied.

"You need to get him out of your life, all he does is hurt you over and over, enough is enough Ethan." she told me.

"Why do you think I moved to Ireland." she added.

"Yeah I know." I sighed.

"Emma doesn't even know the worst part." I added.

"Oh god." she said.

"You can't say anything." I insisted.

"I won't." she reassured me.

"The money he took was the money that I needed to pay for the wedding." I admitted.

"You're kidding!" she exclaimed.

I shook my head sadly.

"So will you have to postpone the wedding?" she asked.

"No!" I said quickly.

"I'll get a personal loan if I have to, I'm not postponing it." I added.

"Ethan-" she started.

"Ssshh." I pressed my finger against my lips as I heard Emma coming back upstairs.

Emma's POV

I climbed the stairs slowly, I'd tried to call Caleb but there was no answer. I'd left him a voice mail telling him that if he didn't pay Ethan back, I would report him to the police. At least that way I'd given him a chance to do the right thing.

I jumped as I heard a knock at the door. I quickly turned around and made my way back downstairs.

I gasped as I opened the door and stood face to face with Caleb.