#Chapter 83 – Ethan’s Confession

How did it come to this? I think morosely. How did everything go so wrong so quickly?

I’d like to think I’ve been shielding the pups from the truth about what happened between Jane and I all those years ago for their own safety and peace of mind, but if I’m honest, I think I’ve been protecting myself. I know how horribly I messed up with Jane, and as badly as it hurt to see my former mate looking at me with that expression of utter betrayal, seeing it on the faces of my innocent pups is worse. When I left the house this morning I was their hero,

now I’m their villain.

“Why don’t you come sit down.” I suggest to the pups, hoping they’ll agree. How am I ever going to explain this to them? They’re too young to even understand a fraction of it.

Despite my tormented thoughts, they obey. One by one they toddle into the living room,

settling on the sofa while I take a seat on the edge of the coffee table in front of them. I search their young faces for any hint of

openness, but they all seem completely

closed off.

“Listen.” I begin, not even knowing where I’m going with this. “I made a lot of

mistakes in the past, and I did a lot of things

I’m not proud of, but I love you and I love

your Mommy more than anything.”

The quadruplets exchange meaningful glances, “what does that mean?” Ryder

questions.

“It means that it’s true. Eve tricked me into

believing something terrible about Mommy,

and… I punished her.” I confess, “I put her

on house arrest.”

“But how could you b’lieve Eve?” Riley

demands, clearly affronted on her mother’s

behalf.

“Because I didn’t know how evil she was

then.” I explain, “I don’t have any other

excuse. I was a fool – I let her make a fool of

me, and believing her is the biggest regret of

my life, second only to how I treated your Mommy afterwards.”

“Wha’s house arrest?” Parker inquired,

clearly distracted by my previous choice of

words.

“It’s like what Paisley said, a permanent

time out.” I share.

“So you made Mommy a prisner,” Riley

summarizes, “for something she didn’ do.’

“Yes.” I concede. “That’s right. I made her

and I’ll never

more.”

see their affection for me

I don’t blame them. If

I did to

flipped upside down. A little while ago I

long time, and now I’m awash with shame, guilt, and despair. I’m losing them. I think forlornly,

your own fault. A little

head, after all, if

Jane they wouldn’t be able to hold it against

was young and stupid.

understand the blurry

shades of youthful

growth and redemption. To them I’m the evil man that hurt

out?” I ask them,

this suddenly

were both

us.” Parker admits, looking at

I’ve just

growl. To my

and Ryder actually flinch away

I felt ashamed before, it’s nothing compared to how terrible I feel now.

caution,

((

sorry. I was just

said you were a monster.” Paisley murmurs, looking as

for the other man. “People aren’t angels or demons. Good people do bad things sometimes, and

which are you?” Ryder asks grumpily,

at

like to think I’m a good man who was tricked into doing something terrible, but I don’t know if your Mommy would agree.

I’m not the same man I was then.” I proclaim, praying they

understand.

They don’t.

demands,

You’ll see when you get older, sometimes you can change so much over

don’ understand.”

saying he has two

explains in

I chuckle humorlessly, “I don’t

just… I would never

can’t change the fact that I did it

})

bad before, but you’re not

now?” Parker

I’d like to think I’m not anymore, but that’s not for me to decide. It’s for you and your

he could do it ‘gain.” Ryder contributes, gazing at me with

in trouble’ gain. Was

I’m doing everything I can

mother.” I insist.

what’d you think?”

whimpers, “I

‘I love Mommy.”

hurt Mommy.” Riley reminds her, “He locked her up.’

})

word, Riley, Parker and Ryder put their heads together, murmuring to each other under their breath. Cocking my

towards their low voices, I catch the tail

conversation. “I think we should leave.” Riley is saying. 1

nicer to

agrees.

Mommy’s scared.”

want her to be scared. I think

we should leave.”

away

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255