Game Of Hearts

Trust Is Paper Thin

Ethan caressed his knuckles against Olivia's cold, pale cheeks. "Olivia you know I'd never let that happen" he whispered huskily. "No matter who it is that tries to hurt you. I'll destroy them." His gaze dropped to the ground.

If only it was that simple, Ethan, then I would trust you with my heart. But it's not. She thought to herself.

Olivia glanced at the road in front of her and gripped a handful of the grass around her. He must have taken her outside, she realised bluntly. It was actually a good thing though, the nausea building up inside of her would not sit well in a moving car.

"I have to tell you something" Ethan's voice sliced through her thoughts. His eyes looked defeated and avoided her eyes that desperately seeked answers. She combed her hair back with her fingers and swallowed as she nodded for him to continue. Her expectant brown eyes threw him off balance and he tried to remember the last time he'd been this close to her.

Just do it, Ethan. His mind insisted fiercely.

"Charlotte's not just a friend"

His heart threw wild punches at his ribcage.

"She's my fiancée."

***
Olivia blinked and a wave of dizziness accompanied the millions of thoughts fighting through her brain. "What?" She whispered out of pure shock. "Y-you have a fiancée?" Her eyes burnt with hot, angry tears. Fiancée. The word seared a hole in her heart. Ethan reached for her and she backed away sharply. He wasn't prepared for the sharp sting on his cheek as her hand lashed out violently. He deserved it. Or did he? It's not like he knew Charlotte was alive. But then again, he never knew for a fact that she was dead either.

Olivia's body burnt with a shaky, unsettling rage. "How can you still attempt to lay a single finger on me after what you did? How can you kiss me with the mouth that has kissed another woman?" She felt tears stream down her face at the next sentence. "How could you have led me to believe that I loved you, when your heart belonged to another woman?" She squeaked out, ashamed at her own behaviour for lending her heart out to a complete stranger. She stood up and took long strides to the car, getting in and slamming the door in his face.

She loved him?

"Dammit" Ethan huffed out. His knuckles burned from the satin feel of her skin and realization whispered to him that it would probably be the last time she'd let him near her. He just had to tell her. He couldn't lie to her anymore. Couldn't lie to himself anymore. His mind traveled back to the day of the car accident. The smoke, the fire - it was all a lie! Charlotte didn't die in that accident! She was alive and he didn't even know it. He clenched his fists unconsciously and shut his eyes.

What's done is done. He thought to himself as he walked to the car, got in and accelerated.

He was going to find Charlotte.

His Charlotte.