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Erik knew he had lost her. He had known he had lost her six months ago, even before he had brought her to his home beneath the opera house. She had been lost to him even before he had lain eyes on her, because he was a monster, and life never rewarded monsters. When he was younger, he had blamed God for making him that way, but now, he had no one left to blame but himself.
Because Christine could’ve loved him, despite the face that had made him unlovable before, despite the darkness of his past.
He rested a hand on the music box he had made so many years ago, the tune keeping him grounded in reality. His twisted cheek still burned with the sensation of her hand resting on it as she had kissed him.
He heard a sound behind him and turned around to find Christine standing there again. She held out his ring to him, offering it back. He covered her hand and whispered, “Christine, I love you. Please…”
Please stay. Please don’t leave him alone to face his demons again. Please just still love him a little bit. But she was already crying again. She was hurting, he had hurt her, and he had to let her go now.
She pushed the ring into his palm and fled, letting out a sob before going out of sight. It was both a kindness and a blow to his heart. For once in his life, someone had cared for him and had shown him mercy when he deserved none. And in return? He had broken her heart and destroyed what chance they had together.
He picked up the discarded wedding veil and brought it to his face, breathing in the echoes of her scent. Repeatedly, he whispered into the fabric, “I love you.”