DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Erik and Cecilia stood up as the happy couple made their way down the aisle towards their six-horse carriage waiting outside. Cecilia wiped a remaining tear from her cheek and began to clap with the rest of the guests. Erik kept his head down as Christine brushed by him.

He was not ready for her to see him yet. For all he knew, she still thought he was dead. He would wait until the opportune time to reveal himself to her. The reception was just one of those times.

Erik escorted Cecilia to their carriage and informed Gaston to follow the wedding party to the Vicompt's home. The snow had begun to fall as the sun had completely set for the night. The white moon shone its brilliance inside of the carriage as Cecilia fidgeted with her gloves.

She grew more uncomfortable with each passing moment. She would not help but allow her thoughts to haunt her. She was haunted by thoughts filled with sadness and hopelessness. Erik seemed to be off in his own world too. She noticed he was deep in contemplation, and preferred to not stir up such a silent moment.

Upon their arrival to the Vicompt's home, they were greeted warmly by the Vicompt's mother who was now completely enamored with Erik. Once they removed their cloaks and gloves, Erik pulled Cecilia close, kissed her square on the lips, and whispered in her ear.

"I will be back momentarily. Why don't you go and enjoy the party? Go and bid congratulations to the Vicompt," she nodded completely ignorant of his plan.

Erik let out a devilish smile as he walked toward the rear of the ballroom. His plan was simple. Allow Cecilia to charm Raoul with her wit and intellect, maybe even reminisce about old times, and while Christine drifted off to the back of the ballroom, he would whisk her into a private room for some chit-chat.

He barely reached the orchestra when he noticed Cecilia curtsying to the Vicompt. As he watched Raoul lift her hand to his lips, Erik's eyes scanned the room for Christine. He noticed her hugging Meg and politely excusing herself. She made her way to the rear of the house.

This is my chance.

He followed her down a long dark hallway to which, he believed, must have been her room while she was staying with the Vicompt's family. She sat down at her vanity and let out a sigh of relief. Erik noticed, however, that she had the biggest smile on her face. She appeared to be glowing with joy. Erik had never remembered seeing her so happy, but he knew he had to do this. He had to know the truth.

"You always did look stunning in white," Erik said as Christine spun around to look at him.

"Oh mon Dieu! I thought you were dead," she exclaimed as she lept from her chair and hugged him, "I am so happy you are alive!"

"Did you really think they would catch me or even have the chance to lay a finger on me?"

She looked at him in surprise. Her eyes studied his face. His mask was different and his eyes seemed to be different as well. His eyes no longer appeared to be filled with such anger and rage. His touch was soft and gentile. In the past he would possess her and overpower her, but now he seemed to be sensitive and withdrawn. His lustful nature seemed to have faded away.

"Erik, there is something different about you," she whispered as she broke their embrace. She walked over to her vanity and began to remove her gloves.

"What do you mean?" he questioned as he sat upon her bed. He had realized that a few weeks ago he would have sold his soul to the devil to have just one chance to be this close to her again. For some reason now, he felt confused.

"I do not know. Your demeanor is different. Your eyes are no longer filled with hatred, and you are no longer trying to devour me with one single touch of my skin. You just seem, different," she finished as she turned towards him again.

"I need to ask you something, and I want you to tell me the truth," he gathered her hand in his and began to rub his smooth hands over her silky white skin.

His green eyes found her large brown ones and fixed their gaze.

"Was there any moment, even for a second, that you loved me at all?" he asked as he brushed a brown curl from her face.

"Erik, I have loved you for years. I love you still," she said as Erik's eyes widened, "but Erik, I am not, no have I ever been, in love with you."

Her hand caressed his cheek on the bare side of his face, as she spoke once more, "You have been everything to me. You are…like a father to me. I am so sorry, Erik."

Erik had tears filling his eyes once again. He leaned over and kissed her forehead as he began to speak once more.

"I had hoped that you would have told me otherwise. You know I am not a man who is eager to express his feelings, least of all to women. I had hoped that you would have been able to look beyond my façade, be it my mask or my demeanor. Christine, I apologize. I did not come here tonight to put a damper on your special day."

"Erik, I cannot help it that Raoul holds my heart. I have seen beyond your façade and into your soul. Would I even be sitting her talking to you if I hadn't? I would be screaming for someone in fear of being left alone with you. In all seriousness, I had hoped you would come here tonight."

"Why is that?"

"I need to hear something from you. I know that you love me, and I know your hatred for Raoul. You are the closest thing to family I have left in this world besides the Girys. I need you to give me your blessing. I need to know that you will still love me, even if it is just as a friend, if I continue on with this marriage."

Erik sat there in awe. He almost did not understand what she was asking, but he suddenly realized that he wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. He had to let her go, and move on with his life. He knew she loved Raoul. He knew it the moment she kissed him to save Raoul's life.

"You know not what you ask of me."

"Yes, I do. Erik, I am not a little girl anymore. I need to know that you will give me your blessing, especially when I hear that your fiancée is going to purchase the theater in which I wish to someday return to."

"What? How did you know…"

"Well, I heard that Madamoiselle Deveraux was buying the opera house, and Fredrick informed me that she had taken a new suitor. A certain mysterious and well traveled man with the first name of Erik. Then, you come walking into my room. I can put two and two together."

"It is more complicated than that…"

"I am sure it is, knowing you. However, I have a party to return to, and you have a lovely young heiress who I am sure is missing you. I will give you some time to think about it. You know where to find me. Shall we?"

Erik stood up and admired Christine's intelligence. He knew that he had to let her go, and he had to return to Cecilia.

"Christine," he began as they reached the end of the hallway and parted to go their separate ways, "you…you have my blessing. I hope that you will be happy together."

Christine ran to him and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

"Thank you so much, Erik. Thank you!" she exclaimed as the color in Erik's face started to fade.

Christine turned around to see Cecilia standing in the hallway in complete shock. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to turn gray as the color from her face too drained. She was hardly breathing. As Erik released Christine and walked toward Cecilia, she let out a gasp, clenched her fists together, and started walking to the front door. Erik quickly reached Cecilia and walked with her side by side.

"Erik, we shall discuss this later. Now is not the time," she said as she walked out of the front door.

Erik paused for a moment and watched her walk out of the door. As his heart seemed to break once more, he felt a masculine hand violently grasp his shoulder.