Episode Ten: Loving You Destroyed Me
1084 Words
The bedroom door creaked slowly as it closed behind us.
My breathing stopped.
Not because of the door.
But because of everything else collapsing inside me at the same time.
Ethan immediately stepped in front of me, his body tense, eyes locked on the darkness outside the room like he expected it to breathe again.
The house was silent.
Too silent.
Even the rain outside sounded distant now, like the world had been cut off from us completely.
For a few seconds, neither of us moved.
Then I felt it.
Something inside me snap.
Not fear this time.
Anger.
Sharp. Real. Finally stronger than my confusion.
I stepped away from Ethan.
No more.
He turned instantly.
Lila..
No, I interrupted, my voice shaking but firm. I’m done standing behind you and pretending I understand anything anymore.
His eyes softened immediately.
But I didn’t stop.
I’m tired, Ethan.
My chest rose unevenly as tears gathered again.
Tired of strange women connected to you.
Tired of messages in the dark.
Tired of waking up next to a man I don’t recognize anymore.
Pain flashed across his face instantly.
But this time, it didn’t stop me.
Because the deepest wound wasn’t fear anymore.
It was him.
Always him.
I gave you everything, I whispered, my voice breaking. And you still managed to make me feel like I was never enough.
Ethan stepped forward slowly.
Lila, listen to me
No, I snapped. You listen to me for once.
Silence fell instantly.
I wiped my face quickly, frustrated at myself for crying again.
Do you know what it feels like? I asked softly. To sit beside your husband every night and feel like a stranger is sharing your home?
His jaw tightened.
To beg for attention that never comes? To question your worth because someone you love keeps choosing silence over you?
Ethan looked like each word hit him harder than the last.
I thought I wasn’t enough for you, I continued shakily. I blamed myself for everything. I thought I was the problem.
That’s not true, he said quickly.
Then why did you cheat on me?
The question landed like a heavy blow.
Silence.
Not defensive silence.
Not angry silence.
Just truth refusing to come out easily.
And that silence hurt more than any confession could have.
I gave you everything, Ethan, I whispered.
His eyes closed briefly.
I know.
I laughed bitterly through tears.
I hate that I still love you.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
The room froze completely.
When I looked up, Ethan was already staring at me.
Not with anger.
Not with guilt.
But with something deeper.
Something broken.
You were the best thing that ever happened to me, he said quietly.
My chest tightened painfully.
Then why did you throw me away?
His expression twisted.
Sophia was a mistake.
A mistake that lasted seven months, I whispered.
That’s not a mistake anymore.
Pain filled his eyes instantly.
And for a moment, he had no response.
Because I was right.
The truth was too big to hide behind excuses now.
I turned away slightly, hugging myself tightly.
I was so tired of breaking in front of him.
But Ethan didn’t move away.
Instead, he spoke softly.
I was drowning too, Lila.
I froze slightly.
What?
He swallowed hard.
Everything around me was falling apart. The case, the threats, Olivia’s disappearance… I felt like I was losing control of everything.
My heart tightened slightly at the mention of Olivia again.
Then why didn’t you come to me? I asked quietly.
His eyes met mine.
Because I thought pushing you away would protect you.
I let out a bitter laugh.
By destroying me instead?
His face broke slightly.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
But this one felt different.
Less anger.
More sadness.
More exhaustion.
Ethan stepped closer slowly.
I miss you every day, Lila.
Even when you were right beside me.
Tears blurred my vision again because part of me had missed him too.
Missed us.
Missed what we were before silence destroyed everything.
Ethan lifted his hand slowly, hesitating before touching my face.
When his fingers finally brushed my cheek, wiping a tear away gently, something inside me cracked again.
Softness still existed between us.
Even after everything.
I should walk away from you, I whispered.
But you don’t want to.
The truth in his voice made my chest ache.
Because he was right.
That was the cruelest part.
Love doesn’t disappear just because trust does.
It stays.
It hurts.
It lingers.
Ethan’s gaze dropped briefly to my lips.
The space between us felt dangerous again.
Fragile.
Emotional.
Too close.
Lila…
My breath caught.
Then
A loud vibration cut through the silence.
We both froze.
Ethan slowly pulled his phone from his pocket.
The screen lit up the dark room instantly.
Sophia.
Calling.
2:14 AM.
I stepped back immediately like the name burned me.
The pain on Ethan’s face appeared instantly.
Lila, wait
I laughed bitterly through tears.
Of course she’s still part of this.
He shook his head.
It’s not what you think.
I looked at him with shattered emotion.
That’s exactly the problem, Ethan. I don’t know what to think anymore.
He opened his mouth to respond
But another notification appeared beneath the call.
A message.
From an unknown number.
Ethan’s entire expression changed the moment he saw it.
All color drained from his face.
His hand tightened around the phone.
And slowly… he read it.
The room went completely silent.
Even the air felt still.
I stepped closer again, fear rising.
What is it?
Ethan didn’t answer.
He couldn’t look at me.
My heart started racing.
Ethan, what does it say?
His voice came out barely above a whisper.
Someone knows where Olivia is.
My breath stopped.
What?
He swallowed hard, staring at the screen like it was something dangerous.
And they’re saying… she’s not missing.
My entire body went cold.
What do you mean she’s not missing? I whispered.
Ethan finally looked up at me.
And the fear in his eyes made my stomach drop completely.
They’re saying Olivia has been alive this whole time.
A pause.
Then he added quietly
And she’s the one who sent the photo.
Before I could react, the phone buzzed again.
Another message appeared.
Ethan turned the screen toward me slowly.
My eyes dropped to it.
And the moment I read it…
My knees nearly gave out.
Ask your wife why her name is in Olivia’s last recorded call.
- Writer
