Chapter 3

Ethan's patience finally snapped.

"Ella, that’s ancient history!

You can't blame Chloe for your mother's death.

She was just a kid."

"If anyone's to blame, it’s your mother.

She just couldn't handle it. Giving up was her choice."

My vision blurred.

I stared in shock at the man who swore to protect me.

How could he say something so cruel?

I slapped him hard across the face.

I knew then that we were done for good.

"We're over."

The slap shattered his calm facade.

He glared at me.

"I am so sick of this, Ella!

Why are you always so damn obsessive?

Why can't you just let this go?

Your mother has been dead for ten years!

Ten years of you wallowing in your own hate!

You make yourself miserable, and you drag everyone else down with you!"

"Your father didn't love her anymore!

If she had just signed the divorce papers, things wouldn't have gotten so ugly.

Her own bitterness killed her.

You can't blame anyone else!"