Chapter 37: His Betrayal
Ethan stood at the doorway, holding the plate Mrs. Morgan had prepared, his heart aching as he watched his wife. She looked so small, so fragile, as though the slightest touch might shatter her completely. He wanted to go to her, to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would be okay. But he didn’t know if it would be. He didn’t know if she could ever find her way back to him.
And so, he stood there, frozen, the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him like a stone. The silence stretched between them, vast and unyielding, and in that moment, Ethan realized that her wounds might never heal, Maria was her whole world.
Ethan stood outside the door, his shoulders slumped, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. When Mrs. Morgan emerged, her face etched with worry, he didn’t need her to say a word. The slight shake of her head told him everything. Mara had refused the food. His heart sank, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him even harder.
"She won’t eat," Mrs. Morgan whispered, her voice trembling. "She’s... she’s in a bad way, Ethan. I’ve never seen her like this." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she reached out to touch his arm as if to anchor him. "You need to go to her. She may not want to see you, but she needs you. Now more than ever."
Ethan’s throat tightened, his chest constricting with a mix of fear and regret. He wanted to argue, to tell Mrs. Morgan that he was the last person Mara would want comfort from. But deep down, he knew she was right. He had caused this. He had let his silence and inaction tear apart the life they had built together. And now, he had to face the consequences not just for himself, but for Mara. For their future.
With a shaky breath, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the weight of unshed words and unspoken pain. Mara was curled up on the bed, her back to the door, her body trembling with silent sobs. The sight of her like that broken, defeated—shattered something inside him. He had done this. He had let his fear and indecision bring her to this point.
"Mara," he whispered, his voice barely audible. He took a tentative step forward, his heart pounding in his chest. "I... I don’t know what to say to ease your pain, I hurt you so bad. But I’m here and I’m so sorry."
She didn’t respond, didn’t even acknowledge his presence. Her silence was worse than any words she could have thrown at him. It was a wall, impenetrable and cold, and he had no idea how to break through it.
He moved closer, his legs feeling like lead, and sat on the edge of the bed. His hand hovered over her shoulder, trembling before he finally let it rest there. She flinched at his touch, and he quickly pulled his hand away, as though burned.