#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 regret

more.”

their affection

don’t blame them. If someone did to

did to Jane,

upside down. A little while ago I was happier than I’ve

them.

it’s your own fault. A little

of my head, after all,

cruel to Jane they wouldn’t be able to hold it against you.

and stupid. I

understand the blurry

white shades of

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

find out?”

this suddenly came up

I were both

us.” Parker admits, looking

just kicked a

To my horror, Riley,

and Ryder actually flinch

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

I caution,

((

was just

looking as

hatred for the other man. “People aren’t

are you?” Ryder

at me.

was tricked into doing something terrible, but I don’t know if your Mommy would agree.

you is that I’m not the same man I was then.”

understand.

They don’t.

demands, “you weren’t you

can change so much over the years that you don’t even

don’ understand.” Ryder admits.

saying he

Riley explains in a

I chuckle humorlessly, “I don’t have

I would never

that way today, but I can’t change the

})

bad before, but you’re

now?” Parker

before.” I confirm, “And I’d like to think I’m not anymore, but that’s

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

“Mommy’s already in trouble’ gain. Was dis your fault too?”

doing everything I can to

mother.” I insist.

you think?” Parker asks.

“I love

‘I love Mommy.”

hurt Mommy.” Riley reminds her, “He locked

})

can say a word, Riley, Parker and Ryder put their

their low voices, I catch

we should leave.”

is much nicer

agrees.

Mommy’s scared.” Parker

“I don’ want her to be

we should leave.”

The other two murmur, pulling away and looking curiously towards

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