As Nicholas’s words dance in Ann’s ear, she begins to get angry. Tired of everyone blaming him for everything bad that is going on in her life, she was furious to hear he agreed with them. She rushes to him filled with rage and she raises her hand but she is stopped as he grabs her palm. In a moment she is filled with a raw sense of confrontation as he stares at her.

“Why are you angry Ann? Is the truth that painful?” Nicholas asks. Ann sees the conviction in his eyes and is left speechless. “This is the truth Ann, I made enemies and he was after me, he almost killed me but you saved me and now he is after you… because of me.”

“But…” Ann says trying to break out of Nicholas’s grip. “I made the choice to bring you in that day. To take you home… It’s my fault things are like this. If I had just…”

“That’s ridiculous,” Nicholas replies. “Ann seriously asks yourself, if you didn’t meet me, would you be in this situation?” The deepness in his voice engulfs her as she begins to sink, desperately trying to reach for air.

“That’s not true,” Ann defends. “You saved me… You protected me and…” Nicholas puts his hand on her cheek and she pulls back from the stinging pain. She then recalls the fear she felt, the hopelessness, the despair. She holds her cheek knowing what he true, as she silently backs away from him emotionally.

“I might have not hurt you directly Ann, but I am the one that cause you a lot of pain. From the moment we met, I knew what I was doing, despite my regret I feel right now, it doesn’t change what I did.”

“Nick…” Ann says as she recalls the memories of them together.

“You were living a happy life with Ben and then I interfered. Aren’t you at least mad at me for that?” Nicholas asks earnestly.

“That wasn’t your fault,” Ann replies. “You said that you didn’t remember. And what were we supposed to do? Ignore you? I’m just glad that you are ok…”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I wish your big heart could understand what I did.”

“I do understand,” Ann replies.

“Ann, I know why you think I am the victim in this situation, but I deserve everything that’s coming to me,” Nicholas looks away for a moment and then continues. “You were caught in the crossfire of everything I did, I cannot stress enough that I am a bad guy… that I…”

“I know you killed those people; I know, you have done a lot of wrong but...” Ann voice becomes deep with pain, her finally admitting the truth out loud leaving Nicholas shocked and silenced. “But you did save me back there, and I don’t know what’s going on but you teamed up with Ben and Oscar to save me, didn’t you? You could have just run away, left me here and not get involved but you didn’t. Even back there, you tried to set things right, I just didn’t care…” Noticing a change in Ann, Nicholas with give a melancholic smile as he admits.

“I should have never told you I’d see you again, that was selfish of me. I knew if I came back, we would be together again. I couldn’t reject you, but I couldn’t hold you back either.” Nicholas says as his eyes tear up.

“What do you mean?” Ann asks in a soft voice as a cold breeze blows across the roof.

“You moved on Ann, you met someone you care about and someone who loves you. You moved on without me and I couldn’t be happier for you,” Nicholas says while giving a painful smile. “I know you missed me, looking back on it, I know you were hoping it was me. But what hurt the most, was how I came between you two.”

“Nick… that would never…”

“When was the last time you and Ben spend some quality time together? You know, other than the times he was trying to prove a point,” Nicholas remarks and Ann thinks back realizing the impact that Nicholas has made in their lives. “He loves you so much… And I can tell you love him,” Nicholas’s heart breaks with these words. He lets out a sigh and Ann steps closer to him.

“Please don’t,” Nicholas objects and takes a step back.

“I ruined everything. Ben he… he was going to ask you to marry him.” Ann looks shocked by these words. “You would be happily planning a wedding right now if it weren’t for me. I hurt you in so many ways just being here, just staying by your side. Please, Ann, I tricked you. I made you depend on me, reply on me and not in a good way.” Nicholas expects another slap from Ann, but all she does is embrace him. He turns to look at her, her eyes are filled with tears as she holds his face in her hand. Her eyes are compassionate as he looks at her. Before he can say another word, Ann mouths the words.

‘I know.’