Ashes Of Isabella

Broken Expectations

ISABELLA'S POV:

I slam my door shut with a loud thud.

"How could he?" I whisper to myself, my voice trembling. "He thinks my love is not enough for him. I never wanted anything more than him… and even that isn’t enough for him."

I sit on my bed and bury my face into the pillow, letting the fabric absorb my frustration. My chest feels tight, hot, heavy. Two minutes later, I hear the soft click of my door opening and closing. The footsteps are small, gentle.

Aunt Maria.

"Isabella, my dear…" she murmurs as she sits beside me, placing her warm hand on my head.

I immediately turn into her lap, seeking the comfort I’ve always known.

"You heard him, Auntie," I choke out. "He is in love with someone. He forgot our love so easily. He forgot Mom so easily. Why is he being so selfish?"

She lets out a soft sigh.

"Isabella… whatever he said downstairs made sense. It’s you who is being selfish right now."

I jerk my head up, staring at her in disbelief.

"What? Are you really saying I’m selfish? He is the one betraying us, betraying our love."

She gently wipes the tears off my cheeks.

"Honey, you are his daughter. He loves you more than anything in this world. But your love, your daughter’s love, isn’t everything he needs. Tell me… when you fall in love with someone someday, will that love replace the love you have for your father?"

I frown, confused.

"What kind of question is that, Auntie? The man I’ll love as my partner will be different from Dad. Dad-and-daughter love is completely different from a couple’s love."

She nods softly.

"Exactly. Because couple love gives you comfort… butterflies… companionship. It fills a different part of your heart. The same goes for your dad. Even if he marries again, his love for you will never change. But he needs someone he can rely on, emotionally and yes, even sexually."

My cheeks heat up at the last word, but she cups my face gently and kisses my forehead.

"Think about it, sweetie. Sometimes we have to share the people we love… but sharing them doesn’t reduce our value in their heart.”

With that, she rises from the bed and walks out of my room, leaving me speechless, stunned, and more confused than ever.

I lie back in bed, staring at the ceiling as Aunt Maria’s words echo in my mind.

She’s right. I wasn’t thinking about Dad at all… only myself. I’ve never had anyone except him, maybe that’s why the thought of sharing him hits so hard, like someone is stealing the only thing I ever called mine.

With a long exhale, I glance at the clock.

11:00 p.m.

I could wait until morning.

I should wait until morning.

But my heart is restless, heavy, twisting inside my chest.

I throw my blanket aside and step out of my room. The hallway is dim, silent, the kind of silence that makes your footsteps louder. I stop in front of his door, my hand hovering in the air for a second before I knock softly.

A beat later, his tired voice responds,

“Come in.”

I inhale deeply and push the door open. Dad is sitting near the window, a faint trail of smoke rising from the cigarette he quickly puts out in the ashtray when he sees me.

“Dad… can we talk?”

He straightens a little and gestures gently.

“Of course, sweetie. Come in.”

I sit on the chair in front of him, fidgeting with my fingers. The guilt squeezes me from inside.

“Dad, I’m sorry,” I finally say. “I really misbehaved with you during dinner. I shouldn’t have said those things.”

He offers me a sad, soft smile.

“It’s okay. I understand how you felt.”

I swallow hard.

“I thought about it a lot… and I realized I’m no one to stand between you and your life. You were right earlier. Your happiness matters too. And I should’ve respected that. Will you… forgive me?”

For a moment he just looks at me, really looks. Then he stands and opens his arms.

“I’m so happy you understand,” he whispers.

I stand too and step into his embrace, feeling his arms wrap around me tightly. A small smile forms on my lips.

Finally…

finally everything feels right again.

For now.