Ethan stood there for a long time even after Aneira walked away from him. Her heels clicked against the pavement. He didn't chase her, he didn't call out her name; he just couldn't. Something about her words had struck a place in him that he hadn't known still existed.
His fists clenched slowly, the muscles in his forearms tightening, and his knuckles almost turned white from the pressure he was applying. A low gust of morning wind rustled his shirt, but his body was rigid. His eyes stayed fixed on the path Aneira had disappeared through, he felt regret.
If only he hadn't listened to Sophia's manipulations. If only he had paused to hear Aneira out before letting her go. If only he had stood by her, helped her fight the accusations when they came pouring in. Maybe things would've been different. Maybe they would be planning their wedding now. Maybe she would be standing by his side as his fiancée, not as his uncle's wife.
Those thoughts made his heart twist violently.
