Mended

45

Izzy's POV

Fabian and his men left the room. In a daze, I peeked over Ethan's shoulder and watched as Sebastian was the last to leave, not bothering to spare either of us a single glance as he followed the men out.

They shut the door behind them, locking the two of us in here. I assumed we'd be let out when it was time for the match.

Ethan didn't move from his spot in front of me. His back crushed me against the wall, as if he hoped if he pushed hard enough, it would swallow me whole and make me disappear.

"They're gone," I whispered when I realized he was still watching the door. "Ethan."

The spell shattered. I flinched as he spun around and staggered away from me. For the first time ever since I'd arrived, I found myself face to face with the condition he was in.

My hand covered my mouth as I scanned him from head to toe, taking in everything that proved what they'd forced him to endure.

Ethan broke the agonizing silence first.

"Why?" He choked out, shaking his head as he studied me. "Why would you come here? How did you even...?"

He trailed off in disbelief.

I swallowed painfully, my gaze lingering on the bruise underneath his eye. "He told me it was the last chance..." I broke off, shaking my head. "Even if it was a lie, I had to take the risk."

Ethan stared at me like he couldn't quite comprehend what I was saying. Or maybe he didn't want to.

"Wouldn't you?" I added quietly. "For me?"

Maybe it was the wrong thing to say because suddenly, everything in his expression changed. I didn't move as he stormed forward, taking me by surprise as he gripped my face in his hands. When I met his stare, I found nothing but anguished rage simmering in his bloodshot gaze.

"I did," he said through clenched teeth, his voice raw with emotion as he tightened his hold on my face until I winced. "I did everything for you, Izzy! Fucking everything."

I said nothing, not bothering to blink away the tears that pooled in my eyes.

"You know why?" He kept going, the words strangled. A frantic look entered his eyes as he searched mine. "You know why I went through hell and back for you every time you needed me to but wouldn't admit it? Why I was willing to risk my life for you? Why I went after you when you were a fucking fool and went after Lucas? Why I made a promise that if you didn't survive, I wouldn't either?"

I remained silent. Ethan's eyes traced the lines my tears made as they streamed down my face.

"Because I had to make sure you lived!"

I said nothing.

"I had to make sure you lived long enough to do everything you wanted to do," he rasped, his eyes gleaming with devastation. "To make sure you got everything good that you ever deserved. To make sure nobody fucking took this from you. That's why I did all of that, you stupid, stupid girl. Not so you could risk it all over again just for me. Not so you could throw everything way just to see me one last time."

"Don't say that," I sobbed, gripping his wrists as I tried to pull them away from my face. He didn't let go. "Don't say that. Elijah and Kaiden are coming, okay? I know they are. They won't let this happen— "

Ethan released me with a scoff, taking a few steps back. "Stupid," he sneered, but the hostility didn't bother me. Not when I could see his bloodshot eyes. Not when I'd felt him tremble. "So goddamn stupid."