Chapter 8 - THE SECRET BEHIND VANESSA'S TEARS
Vanessa arrived at Ethan's apartment that evening.
She was crying.
“Everyone hates me.”
Ethan looked up.
She dropped onto the couch.
“People are saying terrible things.”
He remained silent.
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
“Ethan, you know I didn't mean to hurt Clare.”
He stared.
“Then why did you wear her dress?”
Vanessa froze.
“What?”
“You asked to borrow it. She said no.”
Vanessa looked away.
“I thought she'd change her mind.”
“She didn't.”
Silence.
Ethan continued.
“And why did you take the limousine?”
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Because I wanted one nice thing.”
He stared.
“One nice thing?”
She began crying again.
“You know how hard my life has been.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
He had heard that sentence for twenty years.
Vanessa had used it whenever she wanted something.
Whenever Clare objected.
Whenever Ethan tried to establish boundaries.
He looked at her.
“Vanessa.”
She looked up.
“Clare was supposed to be my wife.”
Vanessa stared.
“And you spent our wedding morning making it about yourself.”
Her tears stopped.
For one brief second, her expression became cold.
Then she whispered:
“So you're choosing her?”
Ethan stared.
“No.”
May you like
He swallowed.
“I'm finally admitting I should have.”
