A/N: Since it took so long to update chapter 7 I am posting 8 today too.

Chapter 8

"What did you just say?" Erik said through clenched teeth. Isabelle immediately regretted even mentioning this.

"I.. I said are you the Opera Ghost?" she repeated, swallowing hard and pushing herself away discreetly. Erik's expression was fathom and she feared her safety in that moment.

"What would put such a thought in your head?" Erik said, his anger rising.

"Well, I-I had been at Il Muto when the Opera Ghost appeared and at the angle we were sitting I saw a mask, and well, you have one too, I was curious." She stuttered.

"I am not going to have this conversation with you!" He spat, and pushed passed her and made his way to the house.

"Did you love her?" He heard Isabelle say so soft he almost didn't hear her. He turned sharply on his heel and strode towards her, furious. He pulled her arm into a tightening grip that would leave a bruise the next day.

"You will not speak of this EVER again, do you understand me?" He said, not caring if she was scared.

"Let go of me!" Isabelle shrieked.

"Do you understand?" He said tightening his grip.

"I said let go of me, damn you!" She shouted pulling her arm free and backing against a tree, collapsing. Erik's eyes widened as he realized what he had just done. He had never hurt someone like this before, Isabelle looked shocked and near tears.

"Isabelle.. I-I apologize, I do not know what came over me." Erik stuttered.

"You need to let go of her, Erik, she is torturing your soul, and bringing this hatred out of you." Isabelle sniffed, "She obviously was selfish to betray you and shun you from her life."

"I was the Devil's Child, you know?" Erik said, thinking Isabelle needed to understand what she was saying, it was the other way around Erik thought. "My first gift from my own mother was a mask, she wouldn't even give me a kiss on my birthday, she was too disgusted of the monster she had created. I ran away, because I loved her, even though she hated me, I always loved her. I was captured my gypsies and put on display in their freak show. I was called a monster and freak everyday of my childhood. I finally snapped, and killed the man that continually beat me, and Madame Giry, my only true friend led me under the Opera Populaire to protect me."

Isabelle realized why he never spoke of his past, it was nothing but torture for him, and hate from everyone. Isabelle felt terrible for ever making him do this, she should have never pressed the matter with Christine or the Opera Ghost.

"Did you love her?" Isabelle asked timidly.

"I deceived her, I became obsessed with her and finally realized it and let her go," Erik said with sadness, "She was the only person that knew me as something other than a monster." With that Erik turned and walked away, headed towards his home, broken.

"You are not a monster, Erik, you're a man," Isabelle said softly, more to herself, not realizing Erik had heard her as he left.

Erik looked at her startled and replied, "You seem to be one of very few that would say that."

Isabelle looked up, not realizing she had said that aloud, "I am sorry for pressing the matter, Erik, but you are not a monster, the people that treated you that way are the true monsters. Come, let's go eat supper." Isabelle grabbed his arm and walked to the house with him. Erik was shocked speechless about what she had said and simply nodded and led her home.

Erik sat at dinner in silence, not even knowing how to express the gratitude he felt for Isabelle. Isabelle ate her food in silence, not sure if Erik was still upset with her, she hoped not, but she could never read his expressions, he always wore a mask for them.

"Erik I hope you are not still mad about me for mentioning the Opera and Christine, I truly am sorry. I understand if you do not want to talk to me, it was rude and cruel of me." She said, hoping he understood her.

"Do you think I am still mad at you?" Erik questioned her curiously.

"You have not spoken to me since we left the orchard, I assume you still are upset about it." She replied, confused by the question.

"I am not angry with you, I am sorry for hurting you if I did," Erik started, "I was angry at first, but then I understood that since we are living under the same roof that you would have to be curious about my past."

"Yes but I was pushing you-"

"No," Erik interrupted, "You did nothing of it, I lost my temper and should not have over such ridiculous things, I do not know why I defend Christine after what she did, and I thank you for understanding what only one other person has understood."

Curious Isabelle questioned him, "What did I understand?"

"That I am not a monster, nor the Opera Ghost, just a simple man," Erik said simply. That made Isabelle smile, and felt content with Erik.