Chapter 1—Running away

(At the Crane Mansion)

"God, why did you do this to me! How could you let the one woman I've loved for the longest time betray me this way!" Ethan is walking back and forth in the living room, trying to figure out how Theresa could betray him.

Flashback

"Ethan, what's wrong, why do you look like you're going to kill someone?"

"Because I feel that way, Theresa. It was YOU! You were the one who sent the tabloid the news about my parentage!" Ethan yells as he thrusts the tabloid into Theresa's hands.

"No, NO! Ethan, it wasn't me! I wouldn't do this to you! You have to believe me, please!" Theresa pleads with Ethan, as a deceiving Gwen looks on from afar.

"That's it, Theresa, you're going down, and I'll finally get my Ethan back in my arms where he belongs."

"Theresa, just stop lying to me! It says it right on the cover, 'Crane heir done in by fiancée.' Can't get any harder to read than that!"

Try as she can, Theresa is unable to get through to Ethan. "Fine, Ethan, you want to believe this trash, BE MY GUEST! I'm out of here. I will not marry into a family that believes lies over truth!" With that, Theresa storms out of the mansion, holding back the tears that are threatening to fall.

"Dear God, I love Ethan so much. How could he think I would harm him that way?"

After Theresa is gone, Ethan goes to the living room and drinks a scotch.

"Ethan, is there anything I can do to help you?" Gwen asks as she comes toward him.

"Leave, Gwen, just leave me alone."

Gwen leaves the mansion, "Ethan, I had to do it. I will not let that low life Theresa win over me. You will be mine again, I guarantee it!"

"Yo, man, stop drinking this crap, you need to go after Theresa." Chad tries to encourage his friend.

"No, Chad, I will not go after Theresa. Not after the hurt she has put me through!" Ethan tries to drink some more, and fails as Chad takes the bottle of scotch and the glass away from him.

"Stop this, Ethan. Theresa is crying hysterically and is probably trying to drive and may get hurt! Don't you care about her?"

"Damnit, Chad, I was ready to marry her! She lied to me! You know I can't have a marriage based on lies!"

"Ethan, I think you need to hear her side of the story first."

"No, Chad, I have to get away from here. I need to go somewhere where I can think."

As Ethan is rambling, Chad thinks back on his conversation with Whitney.

"Where did Theresa go?"

"Umm, I think she went to the Crane Cabin. She had a key from when Ethan and her went there one time. I feel so bad for her, Chad, I know in some way this is her fault, but I know she wouldn't be heartless enough to send this information out to the tabloid!" Whitney exclaimed as she fretted over her best friend's whereabouts.

"Baby, don't worry. Things will work out for Ethan and Theresa, I just know it." Chad says as he hugs Whitney tight.

"Ethan, why don't you go to the Crane cabin? You've always told me how quiet it is up there. If you go, you'll be able to think about what you want to do with your life, and with your relationship with Theresa."

Ethan stops drinking as he thinks of Chad's idea. "You know, Chad, I could use a getaway, and the cabin could be the perfect plan. I think I'll take you up on that idea."

"Good. This way Theresa and Ethan can work out their problems and get back together," Chad thinks to himself. "Ethan, my man, I think this trip is just what you need to get yourself back to normal.

Coming Up

Ethan and Theresa discover each other at the Cabin!

Please RR