Why won't you
Grow up and be a man someday
I can't believe
That you're still playing silly games
Now why do I
Put up with all this child's play
Now if your word is all you have
Then you ain't worth a damn thing
"What is this?" Ethan asked confused, staring at Gwen as she paced in their suite.
"Legal separation papers. I think Nate, Jack, and Joey have been through a lot recently so I don't want to uproot them. I would like to keep this bedroom, if that's okay with you. If not, I'll find a different suite," Gwen replied as if discussing the weather.
"Gwen, I love you."
Promises
You told me every day
That you made
You never ever kept
By me
I really want to believe
But not today,
Not today, not today, not today
The blonde sighed. Was he serious? Did he think an "I love you" would make their problems disappear or she would run into his arms and all would be forgiven? "I love you, too, Ethan. But I won't be married to you any longer."
"If this is about Theresa- -"
"If?! No. No. It isn't about her." It wasn't about him calling out the other woman's name while lying beside her. She could count on one hand the number of times they had made love since Alistair's will had been read. Since Theresa had given birth to the twins. She remembered a time when Ethan couldn't keep his hands off of her. Shaking her head, she reprimanded herself from getting off track. "This is about you and me. You don't respect me, you don't respect the vows you made to me. Your lack of regard for my feelings, my thoughts have me not respecting you. I can't trust a word that comes out of your mouth."
You're the worst
I can't even depend on you
You say a lot of good things
But something else you always do
Be a man of your word
Try to love something other than you
But now you can be on your way
Cause I don't want you to stay
Ethan saw the pain in Gwen's eyes and knew he was responsible for it. What had happened to them? She had been his best friend and confidante for as long as he could remember. He remembered seeing her across the campus at Harvard and looking into her eyes and feeling at home. He had found his home in her. With Gwen, he wasn't going to make the same mistakes or have the marriage Julian and Ivy or Rebecca and Jonathan had. What had happened to all their dreams and plans?
Could he really be surprised by her decision? This was unbelievable. And this is exactly why she had to be through with him. This clueless Ethan was not the man she had fallen in love with. She was done. She had thought long and hard about this and she couldn't go on like this. But before their final goodbyes, she had to come clean. "Ethan, there is something I want you to know. I apologize in advance. I was the one who called the tabloids and told them about your paternity. It wasn't Theresa. It was me. I'm so sorry for all the embarrassment and hurt I caused you."
"It was you?" The blows just kept coming.
Gwen nodded. "I wanted to get rid of Theresa. I leaked the story and placed the blame on her. With her track record, I knew you wouldn't find it to hard to believe Theresa was the culprit." Exhaling, she felt so much better getting that weighted secret off of her. She had been carrying it around for too long. Always living in fear that the truth would come out some way. Now it was out.
The tears began and he couldn't- - didn't want to stop them.
Ethan rarely cried. Only when he was in deep pain, making her so tempted to run to him. But no, that's what got her in this mess now. She couldn't let him suck her in again.
"Gwen, I need you. I'm so sorry."
"You don't need me. You need time to yourself to figure out what you want for Ethan Crane." She was trying to be understanding, but part of her was pissed. He was still lying to her. She was being honest and for her honesty she got more lies.
"I'll change. I promise."
Promises bout our house
Bout the kids
Lifestyle we would live
Who the f**k u really is
In my face
All the time
Spittin' line after line
Broke down my wall and u got in my mind
You's a fake shoulda known
All the signs I was wrong
Believed what I saw
And your cover was blown
Breakup, leave
Make up, please
You's a magician
All them tricks up your sleeve
Had me for a minute
I was in it
You played good
But I'mma get u
I'mma make moves
And I'mma leave you where u at
Dog, chill
Go back to square one
Wait for something real
Selfish man
Could have helped you man
Usually know betta
But I felt you man
I guess getting in my head
Was a part of the plan
Cause in reality
The only thing you giving me is
Promises
You told me every day
That you made
You never ever kept
By me
I really want to believe
But not today,
Not today, not today, not today
"It's too late for us. But not for our children. For their sake, for the sake of a friendship that got me through tough times at boarding school and in college, I'm remaining in the house for now. You can still have breakfast with them, still do midnight feedings, tuck our three precious angels in bed at night. I'll still be working at Crane and I'll bring them to the daycare there. Whenever work is too crazy, you can visit them and remind yourself about what is important in your life."
"Please don't say it's too late. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's so hard, Gwen. I can't sleep at night. I see her. I feel her- -"
She did not want to hear about Theresa. Couldn't one day in her marriage be free of the wench? "Ethan- -"
"Please."
And despite herself, she caved. His plea got to her.
Damn, she was a masochist.
"I feel her touching me. I lay down and I feel her on me. I take hour long showers and I can't get rid of this feeling."
Gwen's ears perked up. Was he talking about Theresa drugging him?
"Gwennie, I can't get free of her. Every time I lay down, there she is. I open my eyes and everything is hazy and I see you. But it doesn't feel like you, doesn't smell like you, but my tired eyes see you. It wasn't you. How did I ever think it was? How could she do that to me? I once trusted her. I went against you and forgave her. And she took advantage- -"
"She raped you. Ethan, Theresa raped you. She maliciously plotted to take away your choice to say yes or no. She raped you. She hurt you. She abused you. But she didn't break you. You are a strong man, Ethan Crane. You can't let her win. You're stronger than her. You're stronger than this ultimate mind game she played on you. You can do it. You can do it." Walking over to the sobbing man, the blonde woman wrapped her arms around him as tears ran down her own cheeks.
Don't let him waste your time girl
He's only telling lies girl
And when he apologizes (and he will)
Don't be believing that man
Cause he gon' do it again
Promises
You told me every day
That you made
You never ever kept
By me
I really want to believe
But not today,
Not today, not today, not today