Theresa was sitting reading a magazine when the doorbell ring. She ran to the door and opened it to see Ethan. Theresa hugged Ethan.

” Ethan, I’m so glad to see you! I knew you’d come to see me. You love me, and we’re going to work. We’re going to have the life we should have always had.”

“ Theresa..”

” And, with you helping me get Ethan. We can be a family!”

” Theresa..”

” It’s been a dream of mine since I before we even met. We finally have a future..”

” Theresa! Shut up!”

Theresa looked at Ethan. He’s never spoken to her like this before. She wondered what was wrong.

” Ethan, what’s wrong?”

” What’s wrong? Do you even listen to yourself? I threw away my marriage and my family because I couldn’t stay away from you. I blame myself.”

“ Because, you love me.”

“ Maybe so. But, there’s more than love, Theresa. I don’t think we are healthy for one another. Look at us, Theresa. Look at the shambles all our lives are in. “

“ Ethan, my life isn’t in shambles. I have everything I want.”

” Because my wife ran out on me? Theresa, I know you may not believe me, but we will NEVER be together. If Gwen isn’t going to be with me, so be it. But, I have my own choice. And, I CHOOSE not to be with you.”

” You…you can’t be serious.”

“ Yes, I am. “

“ Ethan, it’s fated for us to be together.”

” Stop. Be quiet.” Ethan opened his briefcase and took out some documents. “ We need to talk about these documents.”

” What…what are they?”

” This is the settlement agreement between you and Julian for JOINT custody of your son.”

“ No, Ethan! That man can’t have anything to do with my son! Not after he took advantage of me! ”

” Theresa, he’s Julian’s son.”

“ No. I refuse for him to be part of Little Ethan’s life!”

Ethan lowered his voice and looked Theresa  in her eyes. He was ice cold.

“ Theresa, follow my lips. Very closely. It’s time you began to accept REPONSIBILITY for your life. YOU say that Julian took advantage of you, I say that though Julian has always been a lech, YOU had no business going to Bermuda.”

“Ethan, I went there to get Julian to take you back into the Cranes. I did it for you. I..”

“ You KNEW that I wanted to talk to you. You KNEW that I had forgiven you. I had NEVER once told you that I wanted Julian to take me back. You KNEW about Julian’s reputation. Nobody told you to drink with Julian. YOU drank the champagne. You got drunk and wound up in bed with him. And, because of it, you conceived Little Ethan. He’s his father. “

“ He is a horrible father.”

” You’ve never given him a chance. And, he wants one. Julian is trying, and you should want that! IF you really loved your son..”

” I DO love my son!”

” Then, prove it. Julian has made you a wonderful offer. Theresa, you have no education. No skills. No home. No job. What makes you think that you’re going to be able to defeat Julian in a custody fight? He’s Julian CRANE.

Theresa, he’s offering you a home, money and help. All he wants is a chance. He deserves his chance. You will get a luxury home, a seven –figure income, and a nanny. For someone who has no job and no college education, you’ve got a sweet deal in front of you.

Sign the papers, Theresa. It’s the best deal you’re ever going to get. Because, you are NEVER going to get me as a substitute father for Little Ethan.

I know Julian Crane, Theresa. The man extends olive branches once every blue moon. That he’s STILL willing to work with you is something you should appreciate.

Now, sign the damn papers. “

Theresa looked at Ethan, and accepted his pen and signed the documents. If this is what Ethan wanted her to do, she would do it. Maybe he was right. Take care of the Little Ethan business, and then she could work on getting back Big Ethan. After all, he couldn’t be serious about them being over.
 

Simone sat in the business center of the Hotel Explora Hotel, and logged into her email.

She wrote to Kay.
 

 Kay,

How are you? I hope you’re taking care of yourself and the baby. I’ve been in Chile and I decided to go to Patagonia and one of the National Parks – Torres Del Paine. On the bus down here, I met a couple of people. One is a cute lawyer, and the other one is WARREN JOHNSON!

When we got to Torres Del Paine, I was on my way to a hostel, when Mr. Johnson asked me where I was staying. He insisted that I come to the hotel with him. It’s AWESOME! Top of the line.  I think he likes me for some reason. I think he’s trying to fix me up with his lawyer, who is FINE! Not that I need a relationship of any sort, but he seems to be a nice guy. I’m enjoying their company.

I’m going to ask you a favor, Kay. You can tell my mother that you heard from me, but don’t tell her where I am. Just tell her that I’m doing fine. And, that I miss her.

I miss you too, Kay, but I’m enjoying my time away. Did you like the pictures I sent you?

Love ya,

Simone

Simone sent the email, and though about her parents. She missed them. She needed the time away. She thought about the time on the bus trip. They had so much fun playing Scrabble.

She felt so comfortable with Warren Johnson. She didn’t understand why. Simone thought he would be intimidating, but he wasn’t. He was strong and opinionated, but entertaining.

And then, there was Jonah. Simone smiled just thinking of him. He was charming, but she was too bruised to think there could be anything more between them.

As she was lost in thought, she saw a rose come in front of her face. She looked up to see Jonah.

“ Jonah.”

” Hey. Mr. J wanted to know if you wanted to go into town to get some real Chilean fare. The seafood down here is amazing. There’s this little restaurant he found on the internet that he wants to try.”

“ Mr. J wants me to come?”

” Awe, come on girl, you know I would love the pleasure of your company.” When he smiled, his dimples were dazzling.

Simone laughed. “ I’ll be dressed in twenty minutes.”

” See you then.”
 

Gwen was in her office going over a report when she heard arguing outside of her door. Next thing she knew, Ethan was coming into the office.

“ We need to talk, Gwen.”

Gwen looked at her secretary and motioned for her to leave.

” Ethan, despite your dramatics, you are wrong. We have nothing to talk about.”

” Gwen, I get it. I understand it all now. “

“ What are you talking about?”

” I get it with regards to Theresa. I understand my follies. Please give me a chance.”

“ Ethan, I don’t care. I don’t care if you see Theresa for the psychotic that she is. I don’t care. I waited and waited and waited for you to see the truth. I’m so over it now, it’s not funny. And, it was like a cloud had been lifted from my eyes. Seeing the truth is a wonderful thing. I used to think that I couldn’t live without you, Ethan. Now, I know that my life will be so much better because it’s free of you and your Theresa drama. She’s obsessed and psychotic, Ethan. And, she’s NEVER going to give you up. And, I’m NEVER going to let her infringe upon my life ever again.

Theresa is YOUR problem. Not OURS. I’m free and intend to stay that way. Goodbye, Ethan.”

Gwen motioned for him to leave, and he did.