Ethan sat slowly at the edge of the mattress, fingertips brushing the sheets where her shoulder had rested, where her hair had fanned out across his arm.
A flash of memory hit him.
Clara leaning into him during the movie, her head on his shoulder, trusting him without thinking.
Another flashback;
The warmth of her body pressed to his, morning sunlight spilling over them.
Ethan closed his eyes.
How could everything change so quickly?
How could one morning feel like hope,
and the same evening feel like the end?
He dragged a hand through his hair, swallowing hard.
She was right here… loving me… trusting me…
And now? Now she didn't even want to see him, and he couldn't face her either.
Regret swallowed him whole.
I never wanted to hurt her again.
I just wanted one more day to tell her properly..to explain.. to earn her forgiveness.
A tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it.
"Clara…" he whispered into the empty room.
***
