Chapter 31

Mia POV
 
I stood looking to the outer world from my room window when the sudden clap from behind brought me back from the other side of the thinking world.
 
"What are you still thinking about?" I was on top of my voice when he asked the foolish question.
 
"Why, would you be asking that?" 
 
"I am just trying to be caring for once!" His voice was much calmer than mine.
 
******
 
"I don't really need your care!" I snapped, crossing my arms over my chest with an angry glance at him. 
 
"I can take care of myself, so thank you very much." I hissed at Malice.
 
He sighed and walked closer to me, his eyes plugging into mine and his footsteps echoing in the silent room.
 
"Mia, I know you're really struggling. You've been staring out that window for hours, lost in different thoughts. What's going on?" His question sounded with much pity in his voice.
 
I turned my eyes away from him, not wanting to face his really concerned expression.
 
"Nothing, Ethan. Please just leave me alone." I commanded.
 
But he didn't still leave me, as I wanted. Instead, he placed a gentle hand on my broad shoulder, his little touch sending shivers down my spine immediately.
 
"Mia, please, you can talk to me. What's actually bothering you again?"
 
I pulled off his hand, feeling a lump form in my throat at this point. 
 
"You wouldn't understand, Ethan," I whispered, my voice barely audible but good to hear.
 
Ethan's eyes narrowed slowly, and his jaw clenched in frustration and pity. 
 
"Try me," he said, his voice firm but gentle, with his Stern look filled with pity.
 
I just hesitated, unsure if I should open up to him at this stage, despite the fact that the fact that he knows a lot already. 
 
But something in his eyes made me just trust him, making me want to confide in him at this time despite my saying I couldn't do so.
 
Soon, I took a deep breath and began to speak, the words tumbling out of me like a dam breaking out of its hold.
 
"It's just that... I feel so lost and pained, Ethan. I'm stuck in this never-ending cycle of pain, heartache, depression, and sorrow. I thought I was doing okay at this time, but the truth is, I'm not. I'm barely holding on." My tears filled with tears already.
 
Ethan's expression quickly softened, his eyes filling with compassion and huge pain.
 
"Oh, Mia," he whispered, his voice full of empathy and huge pity. 
 
"I had no idea about all this, but. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked curiously.
 
I sniffed, feeling a tear roll down my cheek slowly.
 
"I didn't want to lay my own burden on you or anyone else. You have enough on your plate already." His face was filled with pity, while mine was filled with tears dripping down.
 
Ethan's face contorted in pity, but not at me. At himself. 
 
"I'm your husband, Mia. Your only husband. I'm supposed to be here for you, not the other way around," Ethan said.
 
I smiled weakly with still tears, feeling a small sense of comfort wash me slowly.
 
"You are here for me, Ethan. More than you know." I said quickly.
 
And in that moment, something shifted between us both. A connection formed, a bond that went beyond that of a mere couple. 
 
I saw it in his eyes—the way he looked at me with a newfound intensity. And I felt it in my heart—a fluttering sensation that I couldn't ignore, but I still had to look into his own eye.
 
But I pushed itall aside, unsure if I was ready to face those feelings while dealing with other pain. 
 
Instead, I took a step back, creating distance between us both. 
 
"Thanks, Ethan. Just knowing you're here for me makes me feel better." He smiled at me as I said those words.
 
Ethan smiled deeply.
 
"Anytime, Mia. I will always be with you and stand for you," he smiled, holding up my arms.
 
"But the main issue here is trying to choose." I restricted my arms from his turning back to the window.
 
"What is that?" Ethan drew closer to me.
 
"I have many people's souls in my arms, and I don't want to hurt any one of them." My eyes got wet at this point also.
 
"You are keeping me in the dark," his voice filled with suspense.
 
*****
 
Ethan's eyes narrowed slowly, and his voice was firm but gentle and calm.
 
"What do you mean by all this, Mia? What people are you talking about? And what choice do you have to make? Please say something." 
 
I sighed softly, feeling the weight of my secrets bearing down on me with my mouth shut to anything.
 
"It's just that I have to choose between you and Andrew."
 
Ethan's expression didn't change as I expected of him, but I saw a visible pain in his eyes already.
 
"Mia!" he said, his voice neutral and calm.
 
I hesitated quickly. "I'm just confused now," I whispered, my eyes dropping in shame and disgrace at myself.
 
"Do you want to pick Andrew over me?" he questioned.
 
"Not really, but..." he immediately caught me short.
 
"But what? I think you already started developing feelings for me." His eyes filled with tears just made me look sadder and more worried.
 
"I have, but there is a big issue on the ground here, Ethan!" I screeched.
 
"And what's that?" He questioned.
 
"My son! Our son!" I replied.
 
"So you are taking him over me?" 
 
"And who said that?" I questioned her arrogantly.
 
"You did so.".
 
"I never did!" I shouted.
 
"Please leave me and give me a chance to think," I said, pointing towards the door post.
 
"But..." I cut him short.
 
"Leave! Now!"