The Price of Forgetting

Chapter 31

"A Mister Schaffer has arrived," Felix announced from the doorway of the library where Matthew and I sat with books in our laps while Lily played the piano.

The weather was changing, and it was one of those dreary, chilly days, so being outside hadn't been appealing. Mama and Papa had gone home a few days ago, and in keeping with my previous promise to myself, I was forcing myself to live. It was harder this time. All I wanted to do was sulk in my room, and even when I made myself do something, I wasn't always mentally present. More often than not, I'd stare off into space, not realizing I was doing it until someone got my attention. But I refused to allow more of my life to be stolen from me. It might take time, but I would get my life back.

Not much seemed to pique my interest lately, but Felix's announcement did. Shaking my head to clear the fog, I realized that I hadn't actually managed to open my book.

Lily's otherwise flawless performance was cut off prematurely with a sour note. "You can tell him that Ella isn't interested in seeing him," she said hotly.

As much as that might be deserved, I cringed a little. Unlike telling visitors we weren't here, with that there wasn't even the pretense of politeness.

"No." I stopped Felix before he could leave to do as Lily said. "I'll talk to him."

"You don't have to," Matthew tried and I noticed that he hadn't made much progress with his book either.

"I know." I didn't explain further before standing to go see what Edward wanted. Honestly, I was pretty curious. Edward wasn't mean-spirited, so I doubt he'd come all the way over here to be spiteful or rude.

Felix led me to a parlor near the front door, where Edward stood, gazing at a painting near the window. Felix discretely left us alone and Edward turned to face me. I didn't smile or offer any impression of welcome. I simply watched him, waiting for whatever he had to say.

"I'm grateful you agreed to see me," he said. "I wasn't sure you would."

I didn't feel that needed a response, so I continued to regard him with mild interest.

"I came to apologize," he said. "I behaved abominably and I hope you'll forgive me." My attention was drawn to the bouquet of flowers he held out for me, but I didn't move to take them.

I must have stared at them a little longer than fitting because Edward cleared his throat and allowed his arm to drop to his side. Blinking to clear my head, I brought my focus back to his face.

"Will you?" he asked.

I watched him again, debating. I could refuse. I'd done nothing wrong and my supposed friend completely turned his back on me. But at the same time, no one else was bothering to apologize, and they'd actually been the ones to start and circulate those rumors. Edward had only listened.

"Why did you behave that way?" I asked.

He grimaced, apparently embarrassed. "I suppose the primary reason was petty jealousy. Initially, I brushed off the rumors as nonsense. But then I'd heard Jonas Hill talking about you as if he were quite familiar. And then I saw you arrive with..."

"Matthew."

He nodded. "I saw you with Matthew, seeming very comfortable with him. And then..."

"You saw me go outside with Mason," I supplied with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," he admitted. "At the time, it just seemed worse and worse. I'm sorry to say, I began to believe some of the things I'd heard and I was jealous that you wouldn't make some sort of commitment with me." He sighed.