Chapter 15 - Ethan’s Last Chance
Ethan asked to speak with Mary before federal investigators took him away.
Mary almost refused.
Then she agreed.
They met in the empty ballroom.
Morning light came through the tall windows.
The flowers had begun to wilt.
The altar remained untouched.
Ethan stood where he had been supposed to wait for her.
Mary stopped several feet away.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Ethan said, “I’m sorry.”
Mary looked around.
“You need something better than that.”
“I know.”
“No, Ethan.”
She looked at him.
“You don’t.”
He lowered his eyes.
“I met you because of your name.”
Mary felt the words even though she already knew them.
“But I stayed because of you.”
“You also stayed because of my shares.”
“At first.”
“And Lauren?”
His face tightened.
“There is no excuse.”
“Correct.”
Ethan nodded.
“I was scared.”
Mary laughed softly.
“You keep describing decisions as emotions.”
He looked confused.
“You were scared, so you lied.”
She stepped closer.
“You were desperate, so you forged documents.”
Another step.
“You were lonely, so you slept with my best friend.”
Ethan said nothing.
“Those were choices.”
He finally looked at her.
“I tried to stop Michael.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
“How?”
“I told Mercer I wanted out.”
“Then why continue?”
“Michael threatened my father.”
Mary frowned.
“With what?”
“He had enough Cole debt to destroy the company immediately.”
Mary’s expression did not change.
“So you sacrificed me to save it.”
Ethan swallowed.
“Yes.”
At least he had finally stopped lying.
He pulled something from his pocket.
The engagement ring.
Mary looked at it.
“I took it from the table upstairs.”
She said nothing.
“I kept thinking I could put it back on your finger.”
Mary looked at the diamond.
Then at him.
“No.”
Ethan’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
He placed the ring on the edge of the stage.
“I’m going to cooperate.”
“You should.”
“I’ll testify against Michael.”
“You should.”
“And Thomas.”
Mary nodded.
Ethan took a breath.
“Will you ever forgive me?”
Mary considered the question.
“Maybe.”
Hope appeared in his face.
Then she continued.
“But forgiveness is not permission to return.”
His hope disappeared.
Mary turned away.
Ethan called after her.
“I did love you.”
Mary stopped.
She looked back.
“Then you should have loved me more than what you could get from me.”
Ethan lowered his head.
May you like
Mary walked out of the ballroom.
This time, he did not follow.
