Slapped on Our Anniversary - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

"You should've told me the truth instead of hiding it. You thought I couldn't handle losing you, but do you have any idea how much worse it is knowing you're alive and still not with me?"
"I'm not asking for forgiveness—just let me stay by your side. Let's walk this last stretch together, okay? Don't let Adam push me away anymore. I'll give you everything—every last penny I have..."
"Rachel, the money—it wasn't just about revenge. I was terrified that if you had it, you'd leave me again. I can't survive without you. I can't."
Ethan's tears had pooled on the floor.
From the moment Adam left and he stepped into my hospital room, he hadn't stopped crying. The guilt and agony in his eyes had hardened into something suffocating, crushing him under its weight.
I sighed.
"Stop this. I told you—you don't owe me guilt."
Ethan wiped his swollen eyes. "It's not just guilt, Rachel. It's love. All those years, I hated you so much because I loved you. Every time I hurt you, I was hurting worse. My heart was breaking right along with yours, but I couldn't stop myself. Just remembering how you walked away from me—it drove me insane."
He kept talking.
Sunlight streamed through the window, cutting his face into light and shadow.
Like the two versions of us—angel and devil.
For a second, I almost reached for him. Then I caught myself and laughed bitterly.
"Did you really love me that much?"
"You worked me to the bone—three jobs, no rest. I told myself it was because you loved me too much to let me go."
"You brought women home, paraded them in front of me. I convinced myself it was just punishment, something I could endure."
I closed my eyes, my voice cracking. "But Ethan Evans, when you brought Olivia home... the way you looked at her? That wasn't hatred. That was love."
"You bought her a house. Spent thousands on gifts without blinking. Couldn't stand to see her get wet on set, so you called me in as her stunt double..."
And on our anniversary? He'd forgotten—too busy celebrating her birthday.
There were a hundred moments like that.
That girl, who looked just enough like me, had become my replacement in his heart.
"It wasn't like that, Rachel. I never loved her."
"It was only because she reminded me of you—"
Adam returned before he could finish, shoving him toward the door.
Ethan clung to the frame, his eyes desperate.
Like one more glance, one more plea, might change my mind.
But the math was simple.
Zero chance.
No matter how you added it up.
"Go, Ethan Evans."
"I don't love you. I don't hate you. I just want peace—and to never see you again."