Ethan stood at the window of the lodge, looking out at the snow-covered mountains of Aspen Ridge. The view was breathtaking, but he couldn't enjoy it. His mind was still reeling from Clara's revelation, and he felt like he was in a fog. He had left her at the lodge, unsure of what to do next. He needed time to think, to process everything that had happened.

He had flown back to his hometown to be with his father, who was recovering from a heart attack. It had been a difficult few days, but he was grateful that his father was going to be okay. Now, he was back in Colorado, and he had to face Clara again.

He walked over to the bed and sat down, running his hands through his hair. He had no idea what he was going to say to her. He still loved her, but he couldn't get past the fact that she had betrayed him. He had trusted her, and she had broken that trust.

He stood up and walked over to the fireplace, staring into the flames. He remembered the first time he had met Clara, at a party in college. She had been beautiful, with her long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He had been immediately drawn to her, and they had started dating soon after.

Over the years, they had had their ups and downs, but they had always managed to work through their problems. Until now. This was different. This was a betrayal of the worst kind.

He heard a knock on the door and took a deep breath. He knew it was Clara. He walked over to the door and opened it.

Clara stood there, looking pale and tired. She had been crying, and her eyes were red and swollen. She looked at him, and he could see the pain in her eyes.

"Ethan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything. He just stood there, looking at her.

"I know I hurt you," she said. "And I'm so sorry. I never meant to."

He still didn't say anything. He just stared at her, his expression blank.

"Please, Ethan," she said. "Say something."

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know what to say, Clara," he said. "I'm still trying to process everything."

She nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I understand," she said. "But I need you to know that I love you. I always have, and I always will."

He looked at her, and for a moment, he saw the woman he had fallen in love with. The woman who had made him happy. But then the image was replaced by the memory of her betrayal, and he felt a surge of anger.

"How can you say that?" he asked, his voice rising. "How can you say you love me when you did this to me?"

She took a step back, as if he had slapped her. "I know it was wrong," she said. "But I was lonely, and I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" he asked. "This is more than a mistake, Clara. This is a betrayal."

She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I know," she said. "And I'm sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me."

He looked at her, and for a moment, he felt a pang of sympathy. She looked so broken, so lost. But then he remembered how she had hurt him, and the anger returned.

"I don't know if I can forgive you," he said. "I need time to think."

She nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I understand," she said. "I'll give you all the time you need."

He watched as she turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped. He closed the door behind her and leaned against it, feeling exhausted.

He walked over to the bed and lay down, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't know what he was going to do. He still loved Clara, but he couldn't get past what she had done. He needed time to figure out if he could forgive her, if he could move on from this.

He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but his mind was too full of thoughts and emotions. He tossed and turned for hours, until finally, he drifted off into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, he woke up feeling groggy and disoriented. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, then looked at the clock. It was already noon.

He got out of bed and walked over to the window, looking out at the mountains. The snow had stopped, and the sun was shining. It was a beautiful day, but he didn't feel like enjoying it.

He walked over to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face, then got dressed and headed downstairs. He needed to get some fresh air, to clear his head.

He walked out of the lodge and onto the deck, breathing in the cold, crisp air. He looked around, taking in the beauty of the mountains. He had always loved this place, but now it felt different. It felt like a reminder of everything he had lost.

He walked down the steps and onto the path that led to the lake. The snow was deep, but he didn't mind. He needed the exercise, needed to feel something other than pain and anger.

As he walked, he thought about Clara. He thought about all the good times they had shared, all the memories they had made. He thought about the way she had looked at him when she had said she loved him, and he felt a pang of longing.

But then he remembered the pregnancy test, the note, and her confession. And he felt the anger rise up again.

He stopped walking and looked up at the sky, trying to calm himself. He knew he needed to make a decision, but he didn't know what to do.

He stood there for a long time, until finally, he heard a voice behind him.

"Ethan?"

He turned around and saw Clara standing there, looking at him with a worried expression on her face.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I was worried about you," she said. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

He looked at her, and for a moment, he felt a rush of tenderness. But then he remembered everything, and the tenderness was replaced by anger.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice cold. "You don't need to worry about me."

She nodded, her eyes filled with sadness. "I know you're still angry," she said. "And I understand."

He didn't say anything. He just turned and started walking back towards the lodge.

"Ethan, please," she said, following him. "Don't shut me out."

He stopped walking and turned to look at her. "I don't know what you want me to say, Clara," he said. "I don't know if I can ever trust you again."

She took a step towards him, reaching out her hand. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust back," she said. "I love you, Ethan."

He looked at her, and for a moment, he was tempted to believe her. But then he remembered the pain she had caused him, and he shook his head.

"I don't know if I can believe you," he said. "I need time to think."

She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I understand," she said. "I'll wait for you."

He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in the snow.