Hello again! You have no idea how much I've missed writing! It's crazy! I will be writing regularly soon! 

Anyway, I would just like to say that NONE of this story is based off of Susan Kay's Phantom, nor was it ever intended to be!

Enjoy!

~Phantomofgryffindor

Christine

A knock at the door made me jump, and stop sobbing.

I had been sobbing for as many days as I'd been staying with Raoul—which was how many days, exactly?

I did not sob all the time; of course, I had to keep up face. I only let myself sob when I was alone—morning, night, and some hours in-between.

I was sobbing for everything that had happened—for all I had done, said—for being taken away from Erik; and, especially, for hurting him twice over. I hated myself for hurting him not once—but twice.

I remembered the way I had been sharp with Raoul when we were married, the dream I had—but I know knew it wasn't a dream—where Erik had promised me a second chance.

Oh, he gave me a second chance! He gave me one, and what did I do? I threw it in his face and broke his heart—again. Once again, I ruined our chances of happiness!

I knew what happened in our past life—I knew, and I didn't care! I still wanted to be with Erik. I still never wanted to be separated from him.

Oh, Lord!

I dabbed at my eyes, and padded to the door. Opening it, I saw Raoul—beaming. He reached forward and picked me up, spinning me around in a circle. Erik did that many times.....And he did it so much better than Raoul.

"Oh, I am so glad that ordeal is over! We are free! Come down to dinner once you feel ready, tonight is a very special night!" He kissed my cheek, before setting me down, and waltzing downstairs.

I complied, trying my hardest to keep my tears in.

~~~

I remembered how horrid life with Raoul was—how much I missed Erik.........How I longed for Erik, though he was dead. What if Erik died again? I doubted he would get another second chance! Twice it was my fault our happiness was shattered!

After four courses—appetizer, soup, entreé, and desert—all of which were decadent and splendent; Raoul started stuttering nervously. I looked down at my ringless finger—I hid my rings from Erik in the heart-shaped locket I had taken to wearing—and wondered what he was up to.

"Christine, I love you..." He stuttered, and got down on one knee. I stared at him, shocked. "You are so very lovely, and so wonderful. Christine, would you do me the very great honour of marrying me?"

I stared at him dumbly, before my eyes began watering. I sobbed for a second, before running out of the room and up the stairs. I slammed the door behind me, and collapsed on the bed sobbing.

~~~

It is impossible to carry on this way anymore! It is not worth living! I cannot carry on living without my soul, my heart, my everything!

After this, I never again wanted to be away from Erik!

I had to find a way to return to my love!

I sat down with a quill and piece of parchment, knowing what I had to do.

Finally, I finished my letter to Raoul:

'My Dearest Raoul;

I am so very, very sorry...

I have realized that I can do this no longer.

I cannot live this life, this empty lie of a life.

I am empty inside and an empty wife is not a good one...

I need someone else, Raoul...

I am not the woman that you truly need;

And for that, I am truly sorry.

I cannot stay here; with you, living a lie, anymore.

I am ill and can only be cured by one person.

I'm sorry it's not you....

Please, Please, do not search for me.

If you wish to do something for me, to help my broken soul,

Give me the satisfaction of you not searching.

That is, if you still wish to help...

That is my last request,

That you do not search for me...

Move on, and find someone better than me, Raoul....

Find someone who can love you better than I ever could...

I shall treasure all our time together as children,

And our walks in the gardens,

and the meetings with...Airhead and Filthy....?

And all the other memories I have of you,

For you are my dear friend.

I am not your Little Lotte anymore,

For that I am sorry.

I'm sorry I cannot be the woman you need me to be...

Good-bye, Raoul...

Christine'

I folded the letter up, smiling to myself.

I gathered all the belongings I could call my own into a small satchel—my locket, shoes, and the dress I came in—and hurried to the balcony. I hopped over the ledge, shimmied down the stone, and then dropped to the ground. I looked at the room I had been staying in one last time, before turning and running towards the Opera House.

Raoul

Raoul saw her dash up the stairs and sighed. It seemed Christine truly was devastated from her ordeal. At first, he thought she'd get over it. But now—over two weeks later—he wasn't so sure. It was becoming apparent she didn't love him. He knew he should let her leave, let her go back to The Phantom......And yet, he was so hopeful she could learn to love him!

He dashed up the stairs when her expected sobbing stopped. Opening the door, Raoul found the chamber empty, and the curtain by the balcony blowing in the breeze. He dashed to the balcony in time to see Christine's retreating shape. Raoul sighed sadly, and huffed. "I suppose it was bound to happen.....At least it happened before we got married—If that would have happened at all!" He could not stop a few stray tears from running down his full cheeks. "Why does she love him?" He sobbed tears falling fast and freely now, turning and seeing a letter addressed to him in Christine's hand.

'My Dearest Raoul;' it began.

As Raoul set the latter down, he let his tears flow even more freely.

So she did not love him—had she ever loved him?

At one time, he thought she had eyes only for him! But even his optimism could not deny that Christine was in love with The Phantom of the Opera. He only hoped The Phantom would treat her properly.