A Tough Choice

Chapter Seventy Four

I breathed a sigh of relief as I stood outside and closed the front door behind myself. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Just being out of the house was enough to make me feel better. I hadn't realised how oppressive it was until now. I glanced at the car, Ethan would need it for work, I decided to call a taxi.

Ethan's POV

I watched Emma out of the window, as she stood in the driveway, her face illuminated by the streetlights. I wanted to stand out there with her, but knew that she wouldn't want me too. She needed some space right now and I had to respect that. I just had to hope that she didn't decide not to marry me.

"Why are you watching her?" Kirstie asked as she perched on the sofa behind me.

"It's dark outside and I want to make sure that she is safe." I said quietly.

"That's kinda cute." she chuckled.

"But also a bit creepy." she added.

I rolled my eyes.

"I can't believe you hit Cal." she grinned.

"Don't start." I sighed.

"I wasn't going to, he had it coming. I just wish I'd been there to see it." she laughed.

I sighed and turned away from the window as I saw Emma climb into a taxi.

"I think I should talk to him." I sighed as I perched on the sofa next to her.

"Don't tell me you're going to apologise?!" she exclaimed.

"No, but I do think that I overreacted." I told her.

"I don't." she beamed.

I smiled slightly and glanced up as Caleb wandered into the room.

"Care to explain what that was all about?" he said impatiently.

"I thought you were hurting her." I admitted.

"What made you think that?!" he exclaimed in shock.

"She has wounds on her arms." I said quietly.

"That doesn't mean that I caused them!" he exclaimed.

I shrugged and looked away from him. I did feel guilty that I'd jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"You were angry with me because I kissed her and wanted an excuse to lash out." he snapped.

"Maybe." I sighed.

I could see Kirstie looking between the two of us, clearly not sure what to say or do.

"If you didn't cause them then who did?" I said thoughtfully.

"She has been acting a bit strange lately." he replied.

"Maybe she had an accident." Kirstie suggested.

"You didn't see the wounds." I sighed.

I could feel Caleb and Kirstie's eyes on me as I sat, deep in thought. I felt like I was missing something important, something was going on but I couldn't put my finger on what it was.

"I'm going to the pub." Caleb announced randomly.

I watched him as he stood up. He stopped in the doorway and turned to face me.

"Oh and just for the record I swear I didn't hurt her." he said quietly.

"Yeah I know that now." I sighed.

He shook his head and walked away. I glanced at Kirstie as she watched me closely.

"You miss her don't you?" she smiled.

"Is it that obvious?" I sighed.

"Kinda." she chuckled.

"I have to find a way to help her." I whispered, almost to myself.

"I think you know what's going on." she pointed out.

"Yeah I think I do." I sighed.

"I just don't know why or how to fix it." I added.

She looked at me for a long time.

"I guess I'll sleep on it." I sighed as I stood up and made my way to bed.