Ethan's last betrayal

Without a simple knock on the door, Ethan entered the serenity of the Lopez-Fitzgerald house. He knew Theresa would be waiting for him impatiently. He'd called her earlier to tell her they needed to talk. It'd been months since he'd chosen Gwen over her again and he'd come up with a crucial decision. If he wanted his wife to get better, he had to make sure she'd be able to have Jane around. For that, he had to sue Theresa for full custody of their little girl because he knew she would never allow Gwen to be around the baby. It was the only solution for him.

Walking reluctantly to the living room, he took a calming breath. He hated the fact that he would once again hurt Theresa, a woman he still cared deeply for. She was not only a woman he'd loved with all his might but also the mother of his child. As his gaze fell upon her, his heart stopped. She looked so beautiful with her long black hair pulled in a braid, reading a magazine on the couch while their daughter peacefully slept at her side in her car seat. What the hell am I doing here? I can't do this to her. I promised I would let her raise Jane and help her if needed.

He'd decided on leaving as quietly as possible and deal with the duo formed by his mother-in-law and wife once he'd be home when he heard her voice.

"Ethan! I didn't hear you knock."

"I didn't knock actually. I didn't want to wake up our sleeping angel." he said, turning back towards her. Oh God! Why did I surrender to Rebecca? Wait. Maybe I can convince Theresa to let Jane be around Gwen sometimes.

"Oh. Why don't you sit down? Do you want anything to drink?"

"No thank you." he replied, sitting down.

"So, what did you have to talk to me about?"

"It's about our baby, Theresa. You know how much Gwen is attached to her. I spoke with Dr. Jenkins earlier today and we came to the same conclusion. To heal properly and get better, she needs to have the little girl around."

"No!!! Absolutely not! There's no way I will ever let her touch Jane again! She had her way too long already or have you forgotten she kidnapped her and kept her away from us for three whole months?"

"Look, I knew you'd think that way but please reconsider. Try to put yourself in Gwen's shoes for a minute."

"Ethan, if our roles were reversed, she'd do the same thing. You know it as well as I do."

"Yes, but that's not the point. You aren't her. I know you have a kind heart Theresa. If you're not doing this for Gwen then do it for me. I need for her to get better!" Staring right into his eyes, Theresa showed no emotions. She couldn't let him know how much the reminder of his choice he'd just thrown in her face was shattering her heart again. She'd been so sure he would be true to himself and choose her once and for all. But when the name of his wife had left his mouth, she'd known their love had meant nothing to him. She'd been a fool to wait, fight and scheme for him the past three years. She'd completely lost her time.

"Do it for you? Hell no! I gave so much Ethan, too much for you. I can't sacrifice for you anymore. I have my daughter to think and take care of. I've got my life to rebuild since you decided it wasn't worth a thing. You destroyed a big part of it when you chose Gwen five months ago. And now, I need to work on building a new life for me and Jane, eventually getting my son back so I can finally be happy with my complete family."

"You don't seem to understand..." he begun but Theresa wasn't about to listen.

"What I understand Ethan is that you couldn't care less about what we had. All you care about is that heartless monster of yours you call wife. And you say you NEED her to get better? Well, I don't give a damn about your need for her to heal. She took so much from me already! My home, my job as well as my siblings', my son. God, she doesn't care about anyone else but herself! Well, no! NO! I won't let her ruin my entire life!" Getting up angrily, she walked to the kitchen. Ethan watched her pour herself a glass of orange juice and turned his gaze on his sleeping daughter. I'll be doing the right thing. My wife needs you Jane. You're going to help your step-mommy into getting better then I'll convince Theresa to have shared custody. I won't take you permanently from your mommy. Giving the baby a quick kiss on the forehead, he took the custody papers in his interior breast pocket and walked to the kitchen where Theresa stared into the bay window at the lake behind the house.

"Look Theresa, I know you want what's best for Jane and I want that too. But right now, Gwen needs her and I will not let her go insane because you're too selfish to help her. Here." Handing out the papers, he waited carefully for her to turn around and look at his hand.

"What are those?" she simply asked, point blank.

"Custody papers." A look of disbelief crossed her pretty features.

"You're suing me?"

"Exactly. That's the only way I can ensure my wife's healing. You leave me no choice Theresa."

"You sick bastard!" She slapped him as hard as she could. "After promising you'd allow me to raise our girl on my own, even help me if I needed, you dare go back on your word! Fox was so right when he said you couldn't keep your promises. You aren't worth the cheapest piece of shit! Get out of my house! Now!" She pushed him but he wouldn't budge.

"I'm so sorry Theresa. I wish things could be different but I just can't fail Gwen." He tried to make eye contact with her but she kept on avoiding his gaze.

"Go to hell and get out of my house!"

"I'll come back in three days to get the signed papers."

"Get out! Get out! Get out!"

"I'm doing what's best for everyone Theresa."

"Keep on believing that and you'll end up as psycho as your snobbish whiny little bitch of a wife!"

"Gwen is not..."

"I don't care! God help me Ethan, get out of my house or I'll scream bloody murder!" Knowing she wouldn't hear him out anymore, he walked back into the living room and gave his daughter one last kiss.

"I'll get you soon Jane and we'll be a happy family with Gwen and Ethan Martin."

"The hell you will! You and your psycho wife will never get your hands on my granddaughter!" he heard a voice boom behind him. "Wasn't it enough to break my daughter's heart yet again? Wasn't it enough to take her firstborn away from her and adopt him? No, of course not! You also have to take her daughter away. Too bad, that's not going to happen! Mark my words Ethan Winthrop, hell will freeze over before you get to put one finger on my Theresita's daughter. Understand?" Martin Fitzgerald's gaze flashed with pure hatred as he looked upon the man who had proved to be a chicken times and times again. "Now, get out before I get you out myself and kill you in the process." On that note, Ethan left the house. Once in his car, he took his head in his hands. Dear God, what have I done? Looking at his reflection in the front mirror, he sighed. Come on Winthrop. You did what was best. You did that for Gwen, the woman you love and chose to spend the rest of your life with. Assume your choice now.

Up at the Crane Mansion, Gwen Winthrop was pouring herself a glass of the finest wine of Harmony. Finally, she'd get everything she wanted. She would have two beautiful children without lifting a finger or ruining her perfect figure. Theresa's son was already hers by adoption and soon, Jane would follow.

"Oh Mother! Things couldn't be more perfect! Ethan is going to take Jane's custody from the bitch and we'll finally be the happy family I always wanted to have!" Lifting her glass of wine up to her Mother's, she smiled happily. "To my future life with Theresa's children and my lovely husband!"

"Hum, yeah. If I was you, I wouldn't be so confident. I greatly doubt Ethan will have the balls to hurt his precious Theresa again." Skeptical, Rebecca Hotchkiss still too a sip of her wine to please her daughter. God Gwennie, it seems to me you're in another world. When are you going to learn the little chalupa won't let go of her child without a fight?

"Wait until I tell that to Sheridan! She's going to be so happy. She knew how much I wanted to have a daughter to replace Sarah." Observing her empty ring finger, the strawberry-blond woman sighed. Sheridan won't be happy of you taking her sister-in-law's second child at all Darling. It was bad enough that you adopted her firstborn. I don't even want to imagine Luis' reaction when he's going to learn about this.

"Of course sweetie! Hum... Why don't we go for a swim outdoor? I could ask Phyllis to bring down your son so he could enjoy the warmth with us."

"That's a great idea. Taking a good sun bath will do me some good. I'll call Sheridan later." Making her way to her bedroom, she changed into a nice black bikini and went back downstairs to the pool area. Seeing her adopted son play in the water with his nanny, she smiled. Oh Theresa, soon enough, I'll have everything you ever wanted and you'll be left with nothing.

Next on Time to move on:

Theresa finds out an old friend of hers has betrayed her.

Fox receives a surprising visit.

Review greatly appreciated please. -Laurie-Lee