The Silent Confession

Chapter Thirteen

As Nancy watched the opera, an entirely different story was playing in the back of her mind.

"I used to worry about this kind of thing, Nancy. I would sit at home wondering if you'd run into some amazing guy while you were off solving mysteries."

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but Nancy wouldn't allow herself to cry. Yet, Ned's harsh words filled her head.

"But, I always told myself that would never happen. I trusted you. I told myself that the reason you never included me in your mysteries was because they were dangerous."

Somehow, he had found out everything she had been feeling these past few days. The conflict and anguish she had been trying to hide.

"I always waited for you, Nancy. Every time. Every damned time. I'm not waiting any more."

The only one she told was...

At that moment, Nancy felt her phone buzz in her pocket. As much as she hated using it during a performance, her anxiety got the better of her.

Bess and George were trying to call her. Nancy slowly rised from her seat, making her way to the back of the theater before leaving through the exit doors.

In the lobby, Nancy answered the call.

"Hello?" She asked with a shaky voice.

"Nancy, I'm so, so sorry," Bess replied, her voice wobbling. "This is all my fault."

"Bess, what happened?"

She sniffled. "George and I were going to Scoop's to get ice cream. We were sitting outside, and we were sort of talking about what you told us last night... about your feelings for Frank."

"Ned came back to River Heights," George explained Nancy's breathe caught in her throat. "He finished his exams early. He saw us at Scoop's and was going to surprise us, but-"

"Nancy, he heard what we said." Bess started to cry. "We're so sorry!"

Nancy stared blankly ahead, her face twisting with distress. Guilt ate at her insides.

"What did he hear?"  She asked.

"Well..." George replied, hesitantly. "We were commenting on how you and Frank have been friends for so long, and we both thought we could feel chemistry between you two. We said we would support your decision no matter what."

Nancy took a deep breathe, a sick feeling entering her stomach. "Look," she said. "Don't blame yourselves. It's not your fault, it's mine. I have to go."

"Nancy! It's not your-" Bess started.

Nancy closed the phone, closing her eyes and taking a moment to breathe.

This was all her fault. She shouldn't have told anyone about the feelings that she shouldn't have been having in the first place.

"It's just," Nancy had told Bess and George earlier that day. "I feel so conflicted. I think I've always felt this way about Frank, but now that he's confessed his feelings for me... it's different this time."

Bess and George had supported Nancy's thoughts, saying that the choice was her's. It felt relieving to hear. At the time, it felt like there really was a choice, but now that Ned had expressed his hurt...

She felt like a part of her was missing. She hated to think of her boyfriend suffering because of her. How did she ever even consider losing him like this for someone else?

Had she lost him? Was Ned really gone? Should she try to talk to him?

Nancy didn't even deserve to explain herself to him. She would give him time to think. Perhaps their argument was one out of shock and anger. He hung up before she had a chance to explain herself... if she even deserved to do so.