Cinderella: A Fractured Fairytale

Sixty-Nine

Chapter 69

Ethan's POV

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The pain was almost unbearable, not because of the intense emotion pouring through my veins, replacing my blood and filling me with feeling, but because of what she had just said.

What I had just done.

The scene was on replay in my head, filling me with more and more anguish as I agonized over it again and again.

Jovette gripping my arm tightly, her hazel-emerald eyes filled with tears. "Ethan, please! I love you!" she sobbed out.

Me flinging her away violently, pain filling my chest at my powerful emotional reaction to her words. Her eyes flooding with shock and hurt as she slammed against the wall.

Hurt because of me.

Her helpless sobs as I stalked out of the room, wracked with torment because of my own inner turmoil.

Part of me wanted to rush back, to kneel beside her, to hold her in my arms and tell her everything was all right, that I would never let her go again, that I'd keep her safe.

But how could I?

I didn't deserve her.

My heart ached. How could I go on with this now? She believed in me. She thought I was kind. Good, even.

Did she really love me?

I felt myself tearing in two. How could I lose that? How could I let it go?

How could I let her go?

For the first time since I could remember, someone believed in me, cared for me unconditionally. I couldn't let that pass idly by. I wanted to prove her right.

But she was wrong.

I was a terrible person. I knew it. Everyone else knew it.

There was nothing left for me.

I slowly turned to Eric, who had remained silent the entire time. His eyes were empty and hopeless, full of despair.

He had finally given up.

I pushed away all the guilt and anguish and indecision and closed my eyes, breathing in slowly.

It's time.