#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

I’ll

more.”

their affection for

don’t blame them. If someone did to

I did to Jane,

have flipped upside down. A little while ago

I’m losing them. I think forlornly, I only just got them, and I’m already

A

back of my head, after all, if you

wouldn’t be able

stupid. I

the blurry

of youthful

redemption. To them I’m the

out?” I ask them,

why this suddenly came up

I were both out all

told us.” Parker admits,

if I’ve just kicked a

growl. To my horror, Riley,

actually flinch

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

I caution, softening my

((

sorry. I was

you were a monster.” Paisley murmurs, looking as though the

that simple.” I sigh, feeling a rush of pure hatred for the other man. “People

you?” Ryder

over at me.

to think I’m a good man who was tricked into doing something

I’m not the

understand.

They don’t.

that possible?” Riley demands, “you weren’t you

passes. You’ll see when you get older, sometimes you can change so much over the years that you don’t even recognize the person you used to be, and

don’ understand.” Ryder admits.

he’s saying he has two

explains in a stage

I chuckle humorlessly,

just… I would never

the fact

})

before, but you’re

Parker presses.

think I’m not anymore,

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

trouble’ gain. Was

I can to help your

mother.” I insist.

you think?”

dunno.” She whimpers, “I love

‘I love Mommy.”

reminds her, “He locked her up.’

})

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

voices, I catch the tail

their conversation. “I think we should leave.”

nicer

agrees.

Mommy’s scared.” Parker

want her to be scared. I think

we should leave.”

pulling away and looking curiously

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