Chapter 18: I love my wife
"I think there is a storm coming, you should go back to your room," Ethan said without looking at Maria. Maria nodded slowly; her throat dry. She wanted to say more, to explain, but what could she say? That she had feelings for her best friend's husband? For a fleeting moment, she had wanted to be in Mara's place.
She turned away without another word, clutching her wounded hand to her chest as she walked back to her room.
Ethan exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. What the hell was that? He knew it was a mistake, but the guilt clawed at him relentlessly. He had to make things right.
He returned to his bedroom,
Mara woke to the sharp crack of lightning, her heart pounding. She had always been terrified of storms. Instinctively, she reached for Ethan, but her arms met cold sheets. He wasn't there.
A wave of worry washed over her as she sat up. Where had he gone?
Just as she swung her legs off the bed, a deafening clap of thunder shook the house. The lights flickered, then went out, plunging the room into darkness. Panic seized her chest, and she dropped to her knees, covering her ears. Her breaths came fast and shallow—she was having a panic attack.
She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering how Maria used to hold her during storms, whispering that everything would be okay. But Maria wasn't there.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and heavy footsteps entered the room. A soft thud, then a sharp intake of breath.
"Mara?"
It was Ethan.