Ethan
I excused myself for Aurora and led Tiffany to an empty room in the hospital for us talk. Aurora may not know but I knew why she looked upset.
The last time we met, we were in the middle of something and I just stood up and left with no explanation and I hadn't bothered reaching out since then. I admit I was an asshole for that, and I was going to be an even bigger asshole when I tell Tiffany that I wanted to call off the wedding.
“Do you care to explain what happened the last time we met? I came to demand an explanation since you didn't see it right or necessary to come forward with one." Hurt, and anger laced her voice.
"Tiffany," I called with a sigh, "I am so sorry for that. That was childish of me."
"You don't get to do stuff and just say sorry, your Highness. What happened?” Her voice was little calmer than earlier but the hurt was still evident in it.
I felt bad for what I was about to say, whether it was Aurora or Tiffany, whatever decision I make was going to hurt either of them. It was unavoidable so I wanted to just get on with it.
“I was not in my right mind, I was troubled and once everything became clearer, I…” I trailed, off lost for words to describe what happened that day.
There was a few seconds silence afterwards as Tiffany's eyes continued to stare at me like she was trying to figure me out.
“It was Aurora right? It was because of her, she was the reason for your troubled mind.” she confronted
“I… yes, she was.” I confessed, there was no point hiding it when she already knew.
“Was... You… you know I know the history you both have. I asked around and I tried to convince myself that the past was the past but..." She shook her head and sighed.
Tiffany was smart, I would give her that. I didn't have to say anything yet, she understood where our conversation was going.
Well, here we go, “Tiffany, Aurora is my mate, she is my true mate.” I spilled out. Tiffany gasped and her eyes widened in surprise but I continued, “Ever since she returned, I have been in denial, we were both in denial because of our bad past but despite that, we couldn't resist the mate bond for too long. All I ever want is to be with her.” I explained with all sincerity.
"Are you really saying that to me?" I saw her gulp down forcefully. It hurt me that j was hurting her but, I had to do the right thing.
I nodded, "Yes."
“And what about me? You played with my feelings for what? To fight your mate denial for as long as you can?"
“I didn't mean to hurt you Tiffany. I realized what I was doing, how bad I was going to hurt you and decided to amend my path. I was even planning on speaking to you about it."
“Speak with me? About what?”
I swallowed thickly, “About calling off the wedding."
There was silence that followed, I didn't need to look at her face to feel her hurt. It was for the best.
“No, you can't call off the wedding.” She broke the silence after a while and I turned to look at her.
“No, we have to! Tiffany we can't go on, we won't be happy, ever.” I said plainly, I knew she was hurt and would take time to come to terms with it but I still needed to make things clear. To let her know it was final.
“You know, when my father told me to see you for a marriage arrangement, I refused initially because I wasn't interested in any marriage after my mate died. But my father was old and he made me promise him because he was old and his last days were drawing near.
I came to see you for the first time because of him, I wanted to obey his last wish. And then I saw you and you turned out to be better than I imagined. I began thinking that maybe the marriage wasn't such a bad idea.
I fell in love with you Ethan and my hope of love was revived plus my father was happy. Now you are coming to tell me this? No, I refuse to accept this,” she said whilst shaking her head.
I was speechless. All this while I didn't know that was her story, now I felt even worse for leading her on.
“I’m so sorry Tiffany, I really didn't know about this. I'm sorry, you have every right to be upset but… ” I trailed off trying to find my words.
“I feel so used.” Tiffany said and turned to walk away.
I tried reaching out to hold her but she gripped the doorknob and threw the door open to see Aurora standing there with a sad look on her face which showed she had been listening.
"Excuse me please, I need to go see the queen." She said to Aurora but Aurora stood her ground, unmoving.
"Tiffany, think about what you are about to do. What do you suppose the queen to do once you tell her about this? Force the wedding to go on? I am a full grown man, Tiffany, I know what I want for myself and I don't not want the wedding to go on and even if the wedding should go on, do you want to spend forever with a man whose heart belongs to another?"
My heart was cutting into tiny pieces out of guilt. Guilt for my actions ten years ago, guilt for leading Tiffany on, guilt for trying to deny my feelings for Aurora.
Tiffany bit her lips and blinked rapidly, trying to keep her tears from escaping her eyes. Tiffany was a strong girl for keeping herself from crying from all the hurt she was feeling.
“I won't stop you from doing anything but, think about it first and do what's right.” I added and Aurora sidestepped to give way for her.
Tiffany turned to me one last time without saying anything before walking out of the room.
It was just Aurora and I now, she eyed me, I could see the accusing look of 'you caused this' in her eyes, adding to my already guilty look. Then she turned and walked away too, leaving me to think about what I have done and what to do next.