The Ex Factor: Chapter Six
Ethan walked slowly up the front walk of Theresa's-no, it was Pilar's home, but since Theresa hated living at the Crane mansion she spent most of her time there. He hesitated before knocking. Gwen knew. She must know. Why else would she be at Theresa's? What was he supposed to say to her? Lie once again, promise it wouldn't happen again when he knew it would? Tell her that he didn't love Theresa when they both knew he did? The words tasted like ashes in his mouth. He couldn't do this anymore. He had to be honest with her, and let the chips fall where they may.
The door was suddenly opened. Pilar gave him an impatient look. "Are you going to stand on the porch talking to yourself all night? We've all been waiting for you!" She gestured at him, giving him a look that told him she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Ethan took a deep breath as he headed into the living room. Gwen and Theresa both stood up, looking pale as he entered. Jared remained seated, giving him a cold look.
Feeling a twinge of irritation that Jared was even there, Ethan spoke. "Gwen, Theresa...I think it's time for us to have a -"
"Ethan!" Gwen flung herself into his arms. Automatically his arms tightened around her, although he didn't miss the flash of hurt in Theresa's eyes. "Gwen, I'm sorry-I don't know what to say. I should have been-" He stopped in surprise as behind Gwen, Theresa frantically shook her head at him. "What?" He mouthed back at her.
"Gwen doesn't know!" she mouthed back, as Pilar looked from Theresa back to Ethan, shaking her head and looking deeply disappointed in them both. Jared missed the whole thing-he was too busy giving Ethan a hard stare.
"Uh.." Ethan hesitated and Gwen pulled back to look at his face.
"Why are you saying you're sorry? Did someone tell you what happened? It's not your fault, Ethan, that someone's playing games with us." Gwen twisted her hands together nervously.
Ethan just stood, looking like he didn't have a clue, and hating it, knowing it was a familiar look for him as of late. "Actually, I'd like to hear the story from the beginning, just so I make sure I have all the details right." He finally managed.
Theresa rolled her eyes. "Nice save." she murmured under her breath, unable to suppress a chuckle. Ethan had to be the worst liar she'd ever met. Sometimes she didn't know how he made it through law school.
Pilar stood up. "While you're talking this out, I'm going to take Lil Ethan to his friend's. Is it alright if I leave Jane with you three, or will I come back to find her pulled between you like a wishbone?"
Gwen sighed. "Of course not, Pilar. She'll be fine with us." She was surprised by the aggressiveness in which Pilar had been speaking to her and Theresa today, but she also had to admit she wasn't so proud of her own behavior. Turning back to her husband, she squeezed his hand tightly as she tearfully detailed the ominous phone called she'd received earlier. "I can't believe it." She finished. "Sarah is dead. Who would do this? Why can't they let her rest in peace?" She put her head on Ethan's shoulder as she cried. Just when she thought the pain was easing a little, this happened. Would it never end-would her family be forever under siege?
Across the room, Theresa watched Gwen cry. Carefully, she kept her face emotionless as she'd trained herself to do throughout the years, but deep down, her mother's heart ached. She hated Gwen-always had, always would, especially considering what Gwen had done to her throughout the years. But she'd never wanted Sarah to die, despite what Gwen thought and she couldn't help but feel bad about it. Although the unfairness of Gwen's constant accusations about Theresa causing Sarah's death grated on her, she couldn't help but feel that things could have been so different if she hadn't gone to L.A. that summer. "But I didn't know." she whispered to herself. "That's what Gwen doesn't understand...I didn't know they were in L.A. I didn't know what would happen. I never wanted this."
Another knock sounded on the door. Theresa jumped up, grateful for the chance to leave her memories behind. "I'll get it!" She opened the door to find Luis and Fancy standing there. Luis held several papers in his hands. "Luis, that was fast!" She eyed her brother worriedly.
"Well, I called in a few favors and dropped your name like crazy." Luis grinned at her. Behind him Fancy coughed. "Um..actually..."
Luis sighed. "OK, OK, it was Fancy's idea to name drop shamelessly. She gets the credit for this one."
They walked inside, Theresa on their heels. Gwen and Ethan got to their feet immediately.
"Luis?" Gwen's voice was high pitched and shaky. "Did you find out who the caller is?"
Ethan put a protective arm around his wife. "Yes, Luis, don't keep us in suspense. Who was it?"
Luis and Fancy gave each other cautious glances. "Look, you guys, I'm sorry but we weren't to pinpoint a specific caller or phone number. We can tell you one thing, though." Luis ran his hand through his dark hair. "The call came from Prague."
"Prague?!?"
TBC
This story will updated daily with a minimum of three chapters until the full story is uploaded. If you're enjoying it so far or have any feedback/critique at all, please give me a review-it's much appreciated!