Chapter 76: Shattered Hopes

ELLIE

When I arrived home on Saturday, I simply sank into my bed, throwing my suitcase in some corner. I just wanted to sleep because I couldn't stand being in my own mind anymore.

My thoughts were consuming me. I couldn't sleep for more than ten minutes during a flight of just over seven hours. The tightness in my chest hadn't gone away, and it seemed to be getting worse.

I had a lot of time to reflect, enough time to come to the conclusion that Ethan was just following the plan, and he wasn't to blame for any expectations I had of him. We had an agreement, an agreement that was my idea. I didn't have the right to be hurt by him simply distancing himself.

Maybe I just expected that after everything, he could at least speak to me. Seeing him leave the airport without saying goodbye or even looking at me had added another burden to my chest, which felt like it weighed a ton.

All of this was my fault. It was my choice. I knew he could never offer me what I wanted, and despite that,