Ethan freezes for just a moment, almost imperceptibly, then he nods. She took that as her cue to continue. “What exactly are we going to do?” He heaved a sigh, almost forgetting what just happened between them. “I.... I don’t know. I shouldn't have put you in such a terrible position.” He sighed again as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Terrible position? Meaning what?” Her heart aches, but she forces herself to say the words, fighting to keep her expression neutral. “You're still going to marry Madelyn. Even after we...” He nods, not that he wanted to. “Yes I... I have to.”
He exhaled sharply as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. But the sound just exasperates her even more. “You don't have to do anything. You could grow up! Are you ever going to take responsibility for your part in all this?”