Torment From Behind the Mask - A continuation of The Phantom of the Opera

We Both Knew Why (Phantom)

~•5•~

Some hours must have passed. Not many, but some. I sit up and look down to my left.

I sigh as tears prick my eyes.

Christine lies on her back with her face turned towards me. She's swaddled in the red silk sheets with her curly dark hair sprawled across the red silk pillows.

I just can't...I don't want to... I think as the tears spill over my eyes.

She came back for me. On her own. Oh how I've longed for her - actually I ached - to return. And she has.

Oh God. I can't...

It just seems so surreal that she came back to me. My Christine...my beautiful prima donna. My heart wrenches as I think of what must now be done. Though I cannot see outside, I know that dawn is fast approaching. I know that today she's to be wed to Monsieur L'Vicomte. Raoul. The arrogant fool who thinks he owns more of her soul than I do. I sneer at the mention of his name in my head.

There is no time left. As I stare at Christine, I memorize her every feature from her soft hair, to her full lips, to the slow rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps.

Sing for me...my angel...

I gently run the back of my hand over her soft cheek, warm neck and smooth shoulder down her arm until I reach her hand. I slip my fingers in between hers and I just fall apart. Our story shouldn't have to end! Not this way! Just looking at her face I can see a family; a beautiful future!

Who am I kidding? No man as ugly as I could ever have a beautiful future. Mine is littered with shattered mirrors, shattered dreams and a devastated, broken heart. No child could ever be proud of a father who hides behind love and music.

Reluctantly I rise, knowing the choices that must be made. I dress quickly, mine eyes never leaving her face. I slowly walked to the other side of the bed, where my dearest angel rest. She looks so young in sleep. So peaceful, so beautiful. Tears begin to spill, once more, over my eyes as I bend down and place a soft kiss on Christine's lips.

I drink in her sight one last time, then turn away. I walk towards my array of broken mirrors. The mirrors that I shattered to match my shattered heart the night that she left. I lift the curtain that once concealed a mirror and let it fall behind me.

I cannot give her the life that she deserves. I pray that she can only forgive me in time.