Chapter 75: An Inevitable Goodbye

ELLIE

As much as I tried not to think about it during dinner, it kept tormenting me. There were times when I thought I would simply start crying. I avoided making eye contact with Ethan, unsure if I could look at him without falling apart.

When we had finished eating and were all settled in the living room near the fireplace, I sat down as far away from him as possible. I tried to concentrate on the surrounding conversation but ended up getting lost in my own thoughts as I stared into the flames.

What could I do? Keep insisting even though it was already hurting me? I knew I should just distance myself before making things worse. Why insist if all his signs were telling me to do otherwise? Even if I were strong enough to take the risk, he didn't seem open to it at all.

"Ellie?" Zoe called my attention, and everyone was staring at me.

"Yes?"

"Rosie was saying she has a friend in Santa Barbara; that's where your parents live, right?"

"Yes."

"I thought you said you were born in Sa