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Chapter Fourteen
Ethan awoke the morning of his wedding
feeling surprisingly calm. It was a drizzly, basically ugly day in Harmony. But that suited Ethan’s mood perfectly.
The incident with Theresa had happened three days ago, and Theresa hadn’t escaped his thoughts once. If Gwen noticed
anything weird, she didn’t let on. Ethan had prayed that all his feelings for Theresa would disappear, but they
just grew stronger by the minute. And now he was at the church, the wedding march starting up, and nearly a thousand
people were cram in to see the union of Gwen and Ethan.
The back door to the chapel opened, and Sheridan started in, escorted by Chad. Sheridan shot Ethan a sympathetic
smile and Ethan weakly grinned back. Surely everyone knew that something was off kilter, but no one said a word.
Ethan scanned the crowd for about the tenth time, hoping to catch a glimpse of Theresa, but she was no where to
be seen.
It’s for the best she isn’t here. You
wouldn’t want to screw this up. You love Gwen. You love Gwen. You love Theresa…
Gwen entered the room, and the guests stood
up, oohing about how gorgeous she looked. The dress Theresa had designed was magnificent, flowing and very elegant.
Gwen smiled at Ethan, and Ethan tried to smile back, but he knew he must look terrified.
Gwen finally reached Ethan, and took his hand. Ethan felt none of the warmth that he had felt when he was holding
Theresa’s.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Ethan Alistair Crane and Gweneth Sharmaine
Hotchkiss…"
Ethan zoned off as the pastor continued his sermon. His mind was on all the happy times that he shared with Theresa,
not of marrying Gwen.
Suddenly, the church doors flew open again. Everyone turned to gaze at the intruder. Suddenly, Ethan’s heart began
pounding. Theresa!
"Ethan, I beg of you- please don’t do this!"
Gwen let out a gasp and turned to face Ethan, her eyes blazing.
"What is going on here, Ethan?"
"I…I don’t know…"
Ethan did know. Fate was giving him one last chance with Theresa. It was up to him now.
The guests began buzzing excitedly. Luis stood up and walked down the pew where he was seated. Pilar was clutching
her rosary, praying towards the ceiling. And Ethan…well, he just felt free.
"Theresa Lopez- Fitzgerald. What in Christ’s name are you doing? Are you insane?"
Theresa walked past Luis, her eyes defiant. She kept walking until she reached Ethan. Her tear stained face had
never been more beautiful.
"Ethan…please, give us chance. I’m sorry to ruin your wedding this way, but I couldn’t live with myself knowing
that I hadn’t made every effort to make you see that we are meant to be together. I love you, Ethan, and I know
that you love me."
Ethan stared at her, the weight he had been feeling the past few days lifted.
"What in the hell are you doing, Theresa, you little bitch! This is my wedding day! I’m not going to go and
let some little nobody ruin it for me!"
Ethan turned to Gwen, the realization of her words hitting him. HER wedding. Ruin it for HER. Gwen didn’t love
him; she loved the power that would come with being a Crane.
Ethan turned back to Theresa, gazing into her eyes.
He was leaning into kiss her when Luis came and wrenched her away.
"You are going home, NOW," he roared. The church was silent.
Luis began dragging Theresa towards the door, when suddenly a voice called out.
"WAIT!"
Ethan realized it was his own voice.
"Theresa, thank God you came!"
He ran towards her and pulled her away from Luis. Luis looked at the two of them and was about to open his mouth
when Sheridan reached him. She pulled him aside and smiled.
Theresa was staring at Ethan in shock. He pushed a loose strand of hair from her face and smiled happily, his first
real smile in days.
"It was wrong of me to pretend I didn’t love you. I’ve loved you since the second that you knocked paint all
over me. I love you Theresa, forever."
Theresa let out a sigh. Ethan pulled her in his arms and bent down to kiss her, forgetting there were a thousand
onlookers.
A cheer erupted from the crowd, along with a few gasps. Then there was a blood-curdling scream.
Gwen had lost it.
"Ethan, you can not do this to me! How can you pick the trash over the gold?"
Ethan stared at her, thoroughly disgusted.
"Gwen, I’m sorry. I cannot marry someone that I don’t love. I do care for you, but I’m in love with Theresa.
That’s all there is to say."
Ethan turned back to Theresa and took both of her hands in his.
"Theresa…what do you say we get out of here…?"
"Oh Ethan…"
Ethan sat up with a jolt. What a bizarre dream.
Then it hit him.
He was madly in love with Theresa.
Ethan reached for his watch on the nightstand. He had four hours to call off the wedding, and find Theresa.
But what if it’s too late?
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