The Past We Left Behind

"Ethan, I… I didn't want you to see them. I happened to find them while I was cleaning up." Abigail admitted, her voice filled with remorse. "Those pictures... They are a memory of the time before I met you. I kept them to remember the past, but they don't have the same meaning anymore, trust me."

Ethan's eyes looked suspiciously at Abigail. "But why do you keep them Abigail? If they no longer have the same meaning, why do you keep them?"

Abigail sighed and put the broom on the floor, then walked over to Ethan and gently took his hand. "Ethan…" She started to speak, but Ethan cut her off, gently pulling her hand away from his. He hesitated before opening his mouth to say, "I… ran into Adam today. He said things… things that made me start thinking… about us."

Abigail was taken aback by his words as she looked at him with deep sadness. She watched his face for any sign of what Adam might have said as her heart sank under the weight of his confession. Finally she asked in an uncertain voice, "What did he say?"

Ethan's gaze hardened as he stared into Abigail's eyes. In a voice laced with vulnerability and frustration, he said, "He claimed you still had feelings for him, that I was just a temporary replacement until you forgave him. Is that true, Abigail?"

Abigail's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the pain etched on Ethan's face.

"You... You believe that?" She asked him shakily in disbelief. Ethan's heart sank at the sight of Abigail's tears and he began to regret the words he had spoken. But it was too late, Abigail understood the answer from his silence. She wiped away her tears and hurried past Ethan towards the door with a pained expression on her face.

"Abigail, wait!" Ethan called out to her in a voice full of desperation. He rushed to her side and gently grabbed her hand just as she opened the door. Abigail paused, her body tense, but she didn't turn around. Ethan took a deep breath, searching for the right words to express the remorse that flooded his heart, but before he could find any, Abigail harshly shoved his hand away and walked out the door, slamming it in his face. Ethan stood there, stunned and defeated, the sound of the door slamming still ringing in his head. He wanted to run after her, beg her to listen to him, but he knew it wouldn't change anything. Broken and defeated, Ethan leaned against the door and sat on the floor, and as the last moments of their conversation echoed in his mind, he knew he had to do something. He stood up resolutely and wiped his teary eyes, and then, without wasting another moment, grabbed the doorknob and rushed through the door. He flew up the stairs faster than ever and in the blink of an eye he was out in the parking lot. He looked around, hoping to see her somewhere, but she was nowhere in sight. Ethan's heart was pounding harder every second, he feared he might have lost her forever. Just then, Ethan heard a familiar female voice behind him. A voice that made him freeze in place. "I finally found you, Ethan."

His breath caught in his throat as he slowly turned around, his eyes widening in disbelief. There, just a few steps away, stood a slender, attractive girl in heels and a purple dress - Rebecca. Her long, curly blonde hair fell past her shoulder, adding a touch of glamor to her already stunning features. Rebecca had an attractive and enchanting face, but it was her sapphire blue eyes that betrayed her true nature. Although her eyes looked at Ethan with a touch of tenderness and happiness, a hint of insincerity could be seen in them.

"What are you doing here?" Ethan asked her coldly, not showing an ounce of emotion. Rebecca took a step closer to him with teary eyes. "Ethan, you didn't even let me explain. Me and Peter, it only happened once. It happened by accident." She said in a shrill, but at the same time gentle voice. Ethan snorted sarcastically. "I heard differently. Peter confessed everything to me, so don't lie, be honest for once. Why did you come?"

Rebecca paused for a moment as if hesitating and searching for words, then said, "I want us to be together again. I have nothing more to do with Peter, I swear to you. Forgive me and give me another chance, please."

"He left you, huh?" Ethan cut her off, his voice laced with skepticism. "So now you came back to me." He crossed his arms in a defensive stance that reflected the walls he had built around his heart. Rebecca's expression flickered with a mixture of vulnerability and frustration, her lips remaining sealed. Ethan smiled sarcastically.

"I knew it. Get lost." He said sharply and pointed his finger to the left. Rebecca's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice shaking as she tried to salvage what was left of their broken relationship. "It's because of that girl, huh? The one who answered your cell phone when I tried to call you. You think she'll be better for you than me? Well, you're wrong. Even though I made a mistake, no one has ever loved you and never will like me. You'll soon figure it out yourself."

Ethan's jaw clenched as Rebecca's words pierced him like a dagger. He took a step closer to her, his voice full of frustration and hurt. "Rebecca, this isn't about anyone else. It's about us, or rather what's left of us, and what's left is one big nothing."

Rebecca's heart sank when Ethan said those words. She took a step back with a soft groan, then turned and stormed off. Ethan watched her figure leave, the heaviness in his chest easing a little. Although, he knew this was not the last time he would see her. As much as he knew her, he knew that she would not give up so easily. She and Adam were the same, Ethan realized then. None of them know how to accept their mistakes and realize when it's over.

As Ethan tried to gather himself and focus on what was on his mind before this unexpected encounter, to find Abigail, he was not even aware that someone's eyes were on him. Adam was standing the whole time in the distance and silently watched Ethan and Rebecca's conflict. Sensing an opportunity, Adam decided to follow Rebecca. He followed her until he finally caught up with her down the street. Rebecca turned around, a mixture of confusion and concern on her face. "Who are you? Why are you following me?"

Adam raised his hands defensively and smiled, "Don't be afraid, I won't do anything to you. I was walking down the street a while ago and I couldn't help but notice the discussion between you and that guy. You're his ex, right?"

Rebecca's confusion turned to intrigue when she realized who Adam was referring to. "Yes, I am. I'm Ethan's ex. Do you know him?"

Adam took a step closer, with a calm and serious look. "Unfortunately, yes, I know him. Your ex stole my girlfriend. So I thought since you want Ethan and I want Abigail, maybe you and I could get along. If you know what I mean."

Adam smiled wickedly and Rebecca's curiosity increased even more. "I'm listening." She said and Adam smiled sinisterly with satisfaction on his face. Whatever he was up to this time, it was obvious that it wasn't going to be any good.