AFTER THE BETRAYAL; AN EX'S WIFE COMEBACK

Painful Reunion

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Chapter 2

I can't breathe. The air in the room was so thick I felt like I was drowning in it. My heart was pounding in my chest and my blood was rushing to my ears, drowning out Celeste's approaching voice, the click of her high heels on the marble floor. I hate the way she looks. She is everything I lack: confidence, imagination, and beauty. The woman I had always admired was so far away. I never thought she would betray me, let alone destroy my entire world. I can't even look at her, I can't. I stared at the floor, trying to remain calm, not to show the anger inside me. I heard her wise, gentle voice again.

"Isabella, don't you think there's something we need to clarify?" I wanted to scream and attack her, but I held myself back. The stakes are high. So many old wounds. Finally, I forced myself to raise my eyes and meet his. No apologies, no shame. It was the same cold, measured smile that I used to find so attractive. This is giving me goosebumps right now. “I’m not here for you,” I said, my voice softer than I intended but firm. “I’m here for Gabriel.” Celeste’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly bowed her head. “Oh, I know, but I think it’s important you listen to what I have to say. Don't you think so? He stood at the door without saying a word, his instructions were not read, his mask of indifference could not cover the anxiety of all of us. “Gabriel,” I said his name slowly, as if testing the waters.

His name felt strange on my tongue, like it was something I should never say again. His eyes flickered to mine for a moment, and then I saw him. Love. Sin. A silent apology. But I don't think so. I don't want to regret it. I don't want him to regret it. I want to answer. I will take them, even if it means meeting both of them. I lifted my chin and met his eyes. “Why Gabriel? Why him?” He did not answer immediately. He glanced at Celeste, and I saw a brief conversation between them; something they did not understand, something they did. That gave me goosebumps. “I don’t know if there’s any way to explain it,” Gabriel said finally, his voice low, almost disbelieving. Like a punch to the gut. There’s no explanation. No real answer. Just a vague and distant answer.

Celeste's smile was soft but full of mischief. "You were always gentle with him," Gabriel said, his eyes twinkling at me. "Isn't it, Isabella? You never see things clearly, do you?" I was trapped, I didn't know what to say. Part of me wants to cry for what he did to me. But one thing I hate is that he still cares about Gabriel and I want to ask him how he could do this to me, that he could betray me in the worst possible way. I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak. "You're my best friend," I said, the words not on the branch. "I trust you." Celeste shook her head, her expression cold and calculating. "What did you expect, Isabella? People are weak. They do things they regret and then leave. This is how the world works. There's no point in trying to make him feel guilty about something he clearly regrets. I turned around and looked at Gabriel. "I just want the truth," I said, my voice calm despite the storm inside me. "I want to know why you chose him." He moved closer, slowing down, as if testing the waters. "It's not his choice, Isabella," he said quietly. "Well...it's about me. I'm not who you think I am. I shouldn't be you."

His words hit me harder than I expected. The weight of it, the perfection of his voice, I felt the earth slipping out from under me. I opened my mouth to answer, but before I could, Celeste spoke again, her voice filled with a pride I couldn't control. "You know Gabriel," she stepped closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder, "I think it's time to leave. We both know how this story ends." I can't even put it together Look at them together. The way he touched her, the way they expressed their connection so passionately - I wanted to disappear. But I didn't let him see that. I didn't want either of them to see how much I hurt them. "You must go, Celeste," I said, my voice cold, breaking the silence between us. "It doesn't matter." There was a flash of danger in his eyes, but he didn't argue. Instead, she gave Gabriel one last look before turning and leaving the room, her high heels squeaking as she disappeared.

The silence was oppressive. Gabrielle and I were alone, but the distance between us was unbridgeable. I don't know what to feel. Part of me wanted to yell at him, demand answers. Another part of me wants to curl up in a corner and cry. But I can't do it either. not yet. I finally got the answer. Gabriel stood for a long time without moving or saying anything. Then he walked toward me slowly, his steps slow and deliberate. "You don't have to do this," he whispered, his voice not above the branches. "I know I hurt you. But you don't have to go back to this mess." His words were like lifesavers, but they felt like it was too late. Too little, too late. "You're right," I said, my voice firm and controlled. "I don't want to be here. But I am, you have to tell me everything. through his hair. "I don't know if I can explain everything, Isabella. But I'll try." I waited with bated breath as he approached. But just as he was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

We were all stunned. My heart is racing. Who else could it be? Gabriel looked at me with a mixture of concern and confusion in his eyes. "Don't answer," I said before he could move. But it was too late. The door opened and a tall man stood at the door. A man I never expected to meet. "Isabella," he whispered, his voice filled with something I couldn't identify. My breath caught in my throat. That's it. Everything is about to change in my world. .