🔥 Chapter 10 — The Night Everything Broke
1489 Words
The morning air was crisp as Michael waited outside the building, hands shoved into his pockets, waiting for Ella. The street was quiet, just the occasional distant car hum. He checked his watch for the third time in five minutes, eyes scanning the street as if expecting trouble.
Suddenly he saw a man entering the building. Tall, confident, moving with ease. Michael’s gut tightened.
Minutes later, Ella emerged, a little distracted, brushing hair from her face. Michael noticed the subtle change in her pace, the slight stiffness in her posture. His instincts prickled.
Good morning,” he said, forcing his usual warmth, slipping his hand into hers as they walked toward the car.
Ella smiled softly, hiding whatever turmoil churned inside. “Morning.”
At work, the energy between them was electric. In the elevator, his hand brushed hers, lingering. At her desk, he leaned over, whispering jokes, stealing quick, heated kisses.
At mid-day as a secretary, Ella came into the office and remind him about the meeting outside. Michael pull her and kissed softly whispering to her ear: "I love you" .
Then he headed outside to his car. When he reached the car, suddenly he noticed the familiar face passing by him. He saw that man in the morning in front of the building and now at work. He was confused.
At work, everything was normal, almost casual.
Ella was talking with Mia and another worker about the documents when she saw him.
"Axel. He is here."
He appeared at the office, walking straight toward Ella’s desk. She stiffened for a fraction of a second, then forced a calm expression.
“Ella,” he said quietly. “Can we talk?”
Ella hesitated, then nodded, leading him into a vacant office. Their conversation was short, sharp—soft words, she stayed polite, firm, but her jaw clenched.
"Don’t ever come here again,” she whispered under her breath to Axel as they parted. “I have a boyfriend. And I love him more than anything. Do you understand?”
Suddenly Ella saw her, Alina, watching from across the office, narrowed her eyes. The girl who’d always fancied Michael was clearly paying attention. Ella’s gaze flicked towards her, fire sparking behind her calm. She didn’t like it. Not one bit. She turned and went away..
Axel smirked slightly, nodding, before stepping outside.
That was when Michael appeared. He saw that man again..
“Who was that?” he asked casually, though his tone was taut.
Alina, suddenly came to Michael’s side, whispered sharply: “That’s Ella’s boyfriend… the one you didn’t see this morning. I saw them. Kissing.”
Michael froze. His blood ran cold. “What?”
Alina nodded. “I saw everything.”
Michael’s fists clenched. He wanted to ask Ella—wanted to confront, to demand the truth—but he didn’t. He couldn’t. He was already spiraling into suspicion, anger, confusion. But he didn't want to believe in Alina. So he didn't rush to Ella asking questions like he doesn't believe her.
Time passed. She avoided his eyes all day, and his mind raced: Could Alina be telling the truth? Was she hiding something?
---
Michael didn’t speak. He walked past her, mind spinning. He couldn’t bring himself to confront Ella—not yet. Today, she avoided his eyes, laughed a little less, smiled a little slower. He felt the tension, the subtle secrecy, and it burned him from inside.
---
Night came. They had decided to stay at Ella’s apartment. Michael left briefly to grab clothes from his flat. He had a lot of mixed thoughts about that man. "Who was that man? Is he Ella's boyfriend? Why she didn't tell me anything if she doesn't want to hide something?..
But when he returned, the scene slammed into him like a lightning strike.
That man.
He had his hands on her shoulders, leaning close, lips brushing toward hers. Ella froze, eyes wide.
Michael’s world slowed. His muscles tensed.
“Michael!” she gasped, pushing Axel slightly.
But Michael didn’t wait. He rushed forward, grabbing Axel, punching once, then again, his movements swift and precise. Axel staggered back, trying to strike, but Michael’s strength was overwhelming. Suddenly, his knuckles collided with the wall, splitting skin instantly.
A streak of red smeared the surface.
He didn’t even feel the pain at first.
Axel scrambled up, clutching his jaw, terrified.
Michael stepped forward again—ready to finish it.
Axel lifted his hands defensively.
“I—I didn’t mean—”
“Get. Out.” Michael growled, voice raw, vibrating with anger.
Axel bolted down the hall.
And then silence.
Michael stood there, breathing hard, blood dripping slowly from his hand.
Ella rushed toward him, panic exploding in her eyes.
“Michael! Your hand—your hand is bleeding!”
She grabbed his wrist gently, her fingers trembling as she lifted it to the light.
His knuckles were split open, dark red streaking down his skin.
But Michael didn’t look at his hand.
He looked only at her eyes.
Like she was the only thing that could hurt him.
“Why are you worried about my hand…”
His eyes burning, voice cracked.
"When you pull apart my heart"
Ella’s hands trembling. “Michael, I ..."
“You what?!” he shouted, voice trembling. “I saw everything! I thought—”
He stared at her, mind reeling, eyes dark and burning. “Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice cracked, half from anger, half from hurt.
“I didn’t want to complicate things!
Michael’s chest heaved. His fists unclenched slightly, but the storm in his eyes hadn’t faded. The room felt small, heavy with tension—love, fury, desire, and the sting of betrayal, even if imagined.
Ella whispered, voice trembling: “Please… let's go inside and talk. Your hand is bleeding."
Michael closed his eyes for a second, the world narrowing to just the sound of her voice and the ache of his heart.
" Why?" He asked.
Ella’s tears fell freely. “I didn’t want this to happen! I should have told you… but I didn’t want to hurt you.
" You could tell me before, in the morning, at work, when we headed home. But you didn't. You didn't want. Why? Do you still love him?"
His eyes searched hers, wild with suspicion, fury, and fear.
"No, no. Don't think like that. I love only you. I swear."
"She told me the truth, right? You two kissed at work!! You and your boyfriend.."
"What? Who told you that?"
Michael swallowed, jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
His breath shook.
His eyes wouldn’t leave hers — burning, searching, accusing.
“She said she saw you. With him. Kissing.”
Ella’s face went white.
" Nothing like that happened. We didn't kiss. I swear. Who told you that, tell me."
"It doesn't matter. You didn't tell me anything about him, about your relationship. Did you make up? Did you forgive him?"
She came close to him wanting to take his bleeding hand.
"I don't know who told you that, but you have to believe in me."
“You didn’t tell me,” he cut her off sharply.
“Not in the morning. Not at work. Not even when we came home—nothing.”
He took a step back from her touch.
Ella felt her stomach twist painfully.
She stepped toward him again, grabbing his arm lightly, trying to pull him closer.
“Michael, please. I was going to tell you. I swear. I—”
“WHEN?” he shouted, voice breaking.
His injured hand bled down his wrist, but he didn’t care.
“That man had his hands on you. His lips on you. And you didn’t push him away until you saw me.”
“That’s not true!” she cried.
Michael laughed once — a small, hollow, broken sound.
He stepped back again.
“You hid an entire man from me, Ella. Your ex-boyfriend. The same guy showing up at work. Touching you. Coming into your home.”
“Michael, listen to me—”
“No,” he said, voice dropping dangerously low.
“
Ella froze.
Like he’d stabbed her.
Her breath punched out of her chest.
Her tears fell harder, faster.
“You believe her?” she whispered.
Her voice barely audible, shattering.
“You believe her instead of me?”
Michael looked away — because the answer was yes, even if his heart hated it.
“I don’t know what to believe right now.”
“Michael,” she pleaded.
He stepped toward the door.
“Where are you going?” she cried.
Her voice was desperate, broken, shaking.
No answer..
He paused at the door, his back to her, shoulders rising and falling with rage and heartbreak.
And then
the door opened.
And closed.
Softly.
Silently.
Like the sound of something breaking forever.
---
- Writer
