Erik originally planned to go see Madame Giry. Surely, with her daughter being the best friend of Christine, she'd know something. But when he reached there, he saw an open window and a young voice floating out. Meg's; and she was speaking in the hushed, excited voice she saved for just one person - Christine. He hated to lower himself to eavesdropping, but how lower could he get when his life was worthless? It had only been two or three weeks since the fire of the opera house and when Christine was taken from him, yet still the thought of her being right on the other side of the wall made his heart lurch and wish that he could see her again.

"Oh Christine, enough with the small talk; mother is away now. Tell me, how is life, now that you are living in a fancy home and engaged to the handsome Vicomte?" Meg asked, squealing at the end of her sentence.

"The home is wonderful. Never have I lived in such a house."

"And Raoul?"

"He is very sweet to me. Patient as well. It seems I just cant catch on to being in the eye of high society; off stage, I mean." Christine's beautiful voice answered, yet it was said with only half of her heart. Something was surely plaguing her. Luckily, not only did Erik pick up on this, but so did Meg.

"Christine...what's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing Meg. Everything is fine."

"You're a beautiful singer, Christine - the voice of an angel. You're simply gorgeous. And you're the sweetest thing ever! But...you are a terrible liar. What is wrong that you are trying to hide?"

Christine seemed to hesitate, her pattern in breathing more heavy now, feeling as if she was trapped. "It's just...I'm not used to this life! It's so complicated. And Raoul is always gone; busy somewhere. I'm alone in a big house all day. And I've found out that it's not proper to hold conversations other than demands and directions with the servants. I'm lonely - always have I been around dozens of girls at every moment of the day, whether I wished it or not. Now...I'm not."

"It's a big change for you. But you'll get used to it."

"That's just it - I would be used to it already, if Raoul was..."

"If Raoul was what?"

"Home. There, with me. He buys me presents each day, but hardly ever delivers them himself. He stops in for a few minutes, then leaves, as if he had put in his time now. As if...now that he has me, he don't have to put in so much effort. I thought it would change...but it hasn't. And his parents! Oh, I can see in their eyes they hate me with a passion. At least his mother does. She's always making nasty comments - hidden in meaning, but plain to me. They hurt!" Christine sighed. "I just wish things could be simpler - like things used to be."

"But Christine...when has things ever been simple for you?"

"When I was back in the opera house...just last year, it was still so simple."

"How so? You still had a phantom stalking you!"

"Oh Meg...he wasn't a phantom to me. He was-"

"You're Angel of Music. I know."

"No...he was more than that. He was like...my guardian light. He was like the person I wanted to be with forever, but also like my father at the same time. He had so many traits like my father. And his voice! It was so beautiful, with the power to overcome any of my sorrows at any given time."

"Christine...what is it that you say?"

"Do not be so hasty to your conclusions, Meg. You're mind is thinking many strange thoughts that I assure you are not true. I'm just saying...things weren't so hard back then as you would believe them to be. Ask your mother; she knows who the Phantom really is."

Erik turned away, shocked at all he had heard. Christine had assured Meg that she had no intentions or feelings for him any longer...but that emotion in her voice...was it of longing? And how sad was her voice when she spoke of the Vicomte! She wasn't happy! Not truly; de Changy was failing her now. Did he not know what he was doing? How he had to care for his new fiancé like a precious, fragile flower that only flourishes if cared and tended to? Christine would surely wither if abandoned. She was surely withering inside now.

It was then when it hit Erik...the Vicomte had failed her after promising her eternal happiness. Erik had let them be together so she could be granted that happiness. Therefore, because de Changy failed her...so did he.

Angered fists formed as he gritted his teeth. He had given the Vicomte what he wanted - and he didn't care for Christine as he promised. Now, he would do things over. He'd make her happy. She'd learn to be happy - with him. It was time he stopped trying to do the 'right' thing, and go back to how he used to do them - his way!