LOVE AFTER MARRIAGE

The Other Woman

Isabelle didn’t go back to Lucien’s mansion immediately. She said she wanted some time for herself, and Lucien respected her decision. He gave her some space, but he didn’t disappear. Everyday, he sent her message.

Good morning. I hope you had a wonderful night rest.

Every night, he checked in. I know I don’t merit it, but I miss you.

Sometimes she replied to the messages. Sometimes she didn’t care. But she read every bit of it.

One afternoon, Lucien was standing before his office window, staring at the city below when a knock banged on his door.

“Come in,” he said without bothering to turn. “Still deeply lost in thought, I see,” came a voice he hadn’t heard in over a year.

Lucien froze. Then slowly turned.

Standing there was Clarisse Vonn, his ex lover.

Tall, elegant, and dressed as if she walked off a fashion magazine cover, Clarisse smiled with that same look she used to wear when she got whatever she requested for.

“Clarisse,” he said cautiously. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve returned to the town. Thought I’d surprise you,” she said, walking in as if she had the place. “Are you not going to offer me a seat?”

Lucien was still standing. “This is unexpected.”

“I learnt about your marriage thing,” Clarisse said, sitting down anyway. “Arranged, wasn’t it? Poor thing, bound to a girl from no destination.”

Lucien responded. “Don’t talk about Isabelle like that.” Clarisse frowned. “So it’s true. You care about her.”

“I cherish her,” Lucien responded coldly. “And our marriage arrangement is not your business.”

Clarisse continued further. “not long ago you were telling me marriage was just a cage. What has changed?”

Lucien folded his arms. “I, i changed.”. Clarisse became curious. “Is it that she's good in bed?”

Lucien’s voice came down. “that's enough.”

But Clarisse didn't stop. “You were mine, Lucien. We had plans. And then you disappeared into thin air. Got married to someone your parents arranged for you without objections.”

“It was complicated.” Lucien said. “No,” she said, her eyes unfriendly. “It was betrayal.”

Lucien sighed and walked toward the door. “I don’t want to talk about the past. Please use the door.”

But Clarisse stood and move closer to him instead. “You owe me an explanation.”

He looked at her. “I don’t owe you any explanation. We ended the relationship long before I got married. You knew it wasn’t working out.”.

“You think I returned back for closure?” Clarisse said with a cheap smile. “No, darling. I came back to get rightfully belongs to me.”

Lucien’s hand dropped from the door handle asking “can you excuse me?”.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “And I don’t care whatever contract you are into. She’s just for the main time. But I? I was authentic.”

Lucien moved back. “You’re out of the line.”

Clarisse stepped in closer. “You’ll return back to me. You'll always do.”

That evening, Isabelle walked through the quiet streets close to the bookstore. She had decided to meet with Lucien and give him an answer regarding their discussion. A part of her wanted to believe Lucien had truely changed. She still didn’t know if she was set to forgive everything, but maybe she could start again.

She got to his office just before closing hours and told the receptionist that she’d wait inside for him.

But as she walked through the corner towards Lucien’s door, her heart skipped.

Inside, through the glass she sighted him with another woman.

Clarisse’s arms were around Lucien’s shoulders, laughing softly. Lucien wasn't frowning, he wasn't pushing her away.

He didn’t see Isabelle standing there.

Isabelle couldn’t believe what she saw. For a period of time she was just standing frozen, her heart broken again like it did so many times in time past.

Then she turned and walked away silently.

Inside, Lucien finally moved back. “Clarisse, don’t do this.”. “You didn’t stop me,” she said, brushing her fingers against his chest.

“Because I didn’t want to be dramatic. But I won’t let you destroy what I’m trying to build again.”

Clarisse’s smile went off. “She’ll never love you,” she promised.

“That’s my choice,” Lucien responded. “Now take your leave.”

Clarisse listened, without another word, she stepped out and walked away.

That evening, Isabelle neglected all of Lucien’s texts.

She cried herself to stupor, thinking she had been so foolish to believe he had changed.

But what she didn’t know… was that Clarisse had taken a picture.

One that looked far worse and far from the truth.

And she was planning to send it, to Isabelle.

With a write up that would ruin all Lucien had tried to rebuild.