As soon as Fred woke up, Rupert knew. What Ethan had done had destroyed them. The bastard had shown her something that there was no possible way for him to give her - he'd been in this world for too long and he knew too much. His place was now and always would be in the darkness, and there was no escape, no leaving.
At least not for him.
He felt his heart begin to ache when Fred shied away from Cindel and left the room, not even looking at him. "Thank you for your help," he said softly.
"Is there anything more I can do?" she asked.
"No. You saved Fred's life. I don't think I can ever begin to repay you for that."
Rising from the bed, he walked downstairs with Cindel, who then quietly slipped past where Fred was sitting on the couch and left the penthouse. Rupert stood there, staring at Fred, not sure what to do now. He wanted to reach out to her, take her in her arms and just hold her, but he couldn't move as a realization hit him.
Ethan had poisoned her, but he'd been the one to allow her to come into this life. He was the one that had killed any chance she had of a life like the one she had in that dreamworld. He's destroyed her.
Why had he ever thought that he could maintain a relationship with anyone?
"I'm sorry," he finally said. "For what Ethan did to you and what I've done to you. I should never have..." He paused, the ache in his chest becoming stronger as he blinked back tears. "I love you, Fred. But if...if you feel...I understand if you can't stay with me any longer. You deserve to be happy and have everything you want even if I can't give it to you."