Chapter 11

"Theresa, this is between me and Fox." Ethan said.

"But it concerns me, doesn't it?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

Ethan stood speechless.

"C'mon big brother- answer her." Fox prodded.

"Fox," Theresa said turning towards him. "Could you give us a minute?" asked Theresa.

Fox frowned in disapproval. 

"Please Fox?" Theresa asked. She touched his arm softly.

Fox sighed. "All right. I'll be in my room."

"Thank you." Theresa said gratefully.

"You're very welcome." Fox turned hesitated and walked back towards Theresa. He bent down and gave her a small peck on the cheek. "Good luck" he whispered. He squeezed her hand, turned, and left the room.

Theresa turned towards a bothered Ethan.

"Look, Theresa-" Ethan began.

"Wait, Ethan. Please let me speak first."

"I know you don't want me to be around Fox."

"For good reason."

"Contrary to what you may think, I happen to like Fox."

"Theresa- I know Fox. He's not as harmless as you think."

"Ethan, I've gotten the chance to see a side of Fox that has rarely seen the surface. He's different."

"Yeah" Ethan scoffed. "Really different."

"No, Ethan. Seriously. I know Fox in a way that very few people do."

"Yeah- probably in the same way other women he's played have."

"Ethan! I can't believe you." Theresa said in disbelief. "Ya know, there used to be a time when I thought I knew who you were. I thought I knew you inside out, but I was blinded by foolish love."

"Foolish love? You call what you have for me foolish love?"

"What I had, Ethan. I'm moving on. What I had with you must be now buried in my past. And yes, it was foolish love. I was obsessed with my so-called 'love' for you. I wonder sometimes, was it even really love?"

Ethan was hurt by Theresa's words. "Are you trying to say you never really loved me?"

Theresa looked down immediately regretting what she said. "I didn't mean that Ethan."

"Then what are you trying to say?"

Theresa finally found the words that were buried within her. They were finally ready to surface. "Ethan, it really hurt me when you proposed to Gwen. I felt like I was dying on the inside. It was like someone just ripped my heart out of my chest. Ethan, do you realize how much I loved you? I went to Bermuda for you. I went to the death chamber for you. I even jumped down a damn elevator shaft for you. My life revolved around you Ethan. I loved you with all of my being. I never gave up the idea that you would stop loving me. Ethan, you almost proposed to me the second time, but then you proposed to Gwen because she was pregnant. Ethan, if she hadn't been pregnant, would you have proposed to her still?"

Ethan didn't immediately respond to her question.

"Ethan-"  Theresa prompted him for an answer.

"I initially bought the ring for her." was Ethan's response.

Theresa did not accept his answer. "I know that Ethan. But that doesn't really answer my question."

An uncomfortable Ethan shuffled his feet.

"You know what. I don't care anymore. I'm moving on Ethan and that's what's really important."

"You're moving on with Fox." Ethan said softly immediately tensing.

"I like him. I want to give him a shot. I won't turn my back on him like others have." Theresa said.

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I appreciate the concern, but it's not necessary."

"Theresa- I'm telling you, Fox's reputation with women isn't one that he should be proud of."

"Your perception of Fox is different from mine."

"Obviously." Ethan said crossing his arms. "Look, I'm not going to try to stop you from dating Fox. Do whatever the hell you want. It's your life. But in the future, don't say I didn't warn you." Ethan said coldly.

"That won't be necessary." Theresa said softly.

Ethan couldn't believe that Theresa was moving on with Fox.  I can't stop her. She's determined. Once she gets like that, no one can stand in her way.

"Then I guess this is it." Theresa said. She looked at Ethan briefly then hurriedly left the room.

"I guess that is it." Ethan thought sadly.