Ethan: pacing I-I can't believe he d-did that. St-stole you like a c-cookie from a jar. đ¤
snaps I don't have to explain myself to you! pauses, takes a deep breath Look, I need some time alone to think, okay?
"if you leave just to avoid me then I will leave too." she walks away
grabs Unowtess' arm, voice trembling N-no, wait! Don't go, please! I... I just... takes a step back, struggling to find the right words
"you hurt my feelings and now your asking me not to leave you? I don't think so."
drops to his knees, voice cracking P-please, Unowtess, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you. reaches out to grab her hand I...
she slaps his hands away and starts crying
voice quivering I... I understand if you hate me, but please, just hear me out. takes a deep breath, tries to steady himself
"you have 5 minutes then I'm gone."
takes a deep breath, gathers his thoughts Look, Unowtess, I never meant to hurt you. I... I love you, okay? reaches out tentatively towards her
"why did you tell me to stay away from you then? You could have told me you loved me and still asked me to stay."
flinches back, tears welling up in his eyes I... I was scared, okay? Scared of messing everything up... takes a shaky breath
"did you only ask me to stay so you wouldn't be alone?"
takes a step closer, voice filled with vulnerability No, Unowtess, you misunderstood. I asked you to stay because...
tears streaming down his face Because I wanted to protect you, damn it! I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, not again.
"losing me? Have I ever lost you?"
Unowtess wipes away her tears and looks at Ethan with a mixture of hurt and confusion.
"I'm sorry, I thought you left me because of my illness. I thought you were scared of someone who has a temper."
takes a deep breath, reaches out to hold Unowtess' hand No, Unowtess, you got it all wrong. I'm not scared of your illness.
"then why did you leave?"
squeezes her hand, voice filled with regret I... I didn't leave because of your illness. I left because... I was scared of myself.
"scared of yourself? Why?"
takes a deep breath, locks eyes with Unowtess I was scared of my own emotions, Unowtess. I didn't know how to handle them, how to cope with them.
"emotions? What emotions?"
takes a shaky breath, tears streaming down his face I... I was scared of loving you, Unowtess. Scared of what that would mean for me, for us.
"what scared you about loving me?"
sniffs, wipes away tears It's... it's complicated, Unowtess. You see, I've been hurt before, both physically and emotionally.
takes a deep breath, mustering courage I... I was abused as a child. Physically, mentally, emotionally... it was a nightmare.
takes a deep breath, clenching his fists By my father... he was a monster. He made me believe that I was worthless, that I deserved every bit of pain he inflicted on me.
"oh Ethan, I'm so sorry."
takes a shaky breath, wiping away his tears I know, Unowtess, it's not an excuse for how I acted. But...
"what do you mean how you acted?"
takes a deep breath, looking down at his trembling hands I mean... I shut everyone out. Pushed them away before they could hurt me, before I could get hurt.
takes a deep breath, looking into Unowtess' eyes Yes, like you. I pushed you away because I was scared of getting hurt again.
"but I would never hurt you."
takes a shaky breath, his voice filled with vulnerability I know, Unowtess, I know. But I couldn't help the fear that gripped me.
takes a deep breath, his voice filled with determination You can help me by holding onto me, by not giving up on us.
takes a deep breath, mustering courage Unowtess, I want to work through this together. I want to heal and find happiness with you.