Guiding Light to Rebirth

Her voice cracked into sobs. "I just want him by my side for a few more days."

I listened quietly, but my gaze drifted past her to the man behind her.

His eyes were fixed on me without blinking. His muscles tensed like a storm was brewing.

The guy who once shadowed me like a protector was now her guard dog. He was ready to lunge and tear into me if I so much as threatened Hanna.

I couldn't pin down the feeling in my chest. I just knew, in this new life, I couldn't selfishly tie him down anymore.

I forced a smile. "Don't worry. I'm here to take you two back rather than break you up."

Hanna jolted, staring at me in disbelief. "Both of us?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "You are his girl now. If I left you behind, he wouldn't come anyway. Pack up. You and Ethan are coming home."

My voice stayed even as I added, "His parents know about you. They're fine with it."

Overjoyed, she grabbed Ethan's hand and beamed at him before rushing off to pack.

Only then did Ethan relax, sure I meant no harm. He pressed his lips together, softening a bit. "Sorry, I thought you were gonna hurt Hanna."

His mood swung with hers now.

No one remembered how, back when Hanna wouldn't leave him alone, he'd burrow into my arms and urge me to claim him.

"Tell them I'm yours and yours alone. Make it sound tough," he had said, making goofy faces for me to copy.

We'd always end up laughing, rolling around on the couch in a tangle.

Unfortunately, that man was no more.

I smiled bitterly, taking them to the Hayes Mansion.

When it came time to introduce me, everyone hesitated on what to say.

I jumped in. "I'm your childhood buddy. You always treated me like a little sister. You even said you'd set me up with someone. Now that you've got amnesia, it's on hold."

The room went awkward for those in the know, but Ethan bought it. He joked, "Alright, once things settle, I will hook you up with a good guy."

...

That night, the firelight woke me.

I pushed the door open and saw everything tied to Ethan and me burning in a pile.

Photos from our childhood, awards we won together, and even the wooden doll he gave me when he confessed crackled into ashes.

My heart ached, like something squeezed it.

Ethan turned to me. "Back then, we didn't have partners, so being close felt fine. But now Hanna is living with me, and seeing this stuff upsets her. So, I burned it. Hope you don't mind."

I dug my nails into my palm, hiding my distress. I muttered, "No big deal. Might as well burn the stuff in my room, too."