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1081 Words
Isabelle’s fingers trembled as she reread the message on her phone.
We need to talk. Alone. Please meet me at The Ivy Lounge tomorrow at seven. —Sebastian
Her pulse quickened, a chaotic mix of anxiety and irritation spread through her chest. Sebastian Hale had never been one to take no for an answer, and this message only proved that some things never changed.
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard as she debated her response. Her first instinct was to decline outright. She didn’t want to be alone with him, not after everything that had transpired between them. But curiosity gnawed at her.
What did he want now? And why was he suddenly so insistent on meeting in private?
The thought of being caught in another emotional tug-of-war made her chest ache. Sebastian had already shattered her once; she wasn’t about to let him do it again.
“Mama?” a small voice called from the hallway, pulling her from her thoughts.
Isabelle looked up to see Elliott standing in the doorway, his dark hair tousled from sleep. He rubbed his eyes with one hand while clutching his beloved stuffed bear with the other.
“What is it, sweetheart?” she asked, softening her tone.
“I had a bad dream,” he whispered.
Her heart ached at the sight of him. She set her phone down and crossed the room to scoop him up in her arms. His small body trembled slightly as he buried his face in her neck.
“It’s okay,” she murmured, stroking his back. “Mommy’s got you.”
She carried him back to his room, humming softly until his breathing evened out and he drifted back to sleep. As she tucked him in, her resolve hardened.
Her children were her world, and no one—especially Sebastian—was going to disrupt the life she had built for them.
The Next Evening
The Ivy Lounge was as elegant as Isabelle remembered, its dim lighting and polished mahogany furnishings exuding an air of exclusivity. The soft hum of conversation filled the space, blending with the clink of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter.
Isabelle entered with her head held high, her heart pounding beneath the tailored black dress she had chosen. She spotted Sebastian immediately, seated in a private booth near the back. His presence was magnetic, as always—commanding attention without even trying.
Taking a steadying breath, she squared her shoulders and made her way toward him.
“You’re here,” he said, rising as she approached.
“Don’t make a habit of summoning me, Sebastian,” she replied coolly, sliding into the seat opposite him.
He arched a brow but didn’t comment on her tone. “Thank you for coming.”
“I didn’t come for you,” she said bluntly. “I came because I want answers. So let’s not waste time—what do you want?”
Sebastian leaned back in his seat, his gray eyes never leaving hers. “I want to know why you left the way you did.”
Isabelle’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain composed. “We’ve been through this. I left because there was nothing left for me.”
His expression hardened. “That’s a lie, and we both know it.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Believe what you want, Sebastian. It doesn’t change the facts.”
He leaned forward, his voice low and intense. “Did you ever love me, Isabelle? Or was it all just convenience?”
The question hit like a punch to the gut. Anger flared in her chest, and she clenched her fists beneath the table. “How dare you,” she whispered fiercely. “You have no right to ask me that.”
“I have every right,” he shot back. “I was your husband, Isabelle. And I made mistakes, but I deserve to know the truth. Was there someone else?”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Is that what this is about? You think I left you for another man?”
“I don’t know what to think,” he admitted, his jaw tightening. “You disappeared without a word. What was I supposed to believe?”
Isabelle’s breath caught in her throat. The lie she had told him in the park hovered on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it down.
“The truth is simple, Sebastian. I left because I couldn’t stay. Not after what you did.”
His expression faltered, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. “I know I hurt you,” he said quietly. “And I’m sorry for that. But you should have told me you were leaving. You should have given me the chance to fix things.”
She laughed bitterly, the sound cutting through the tension between them. “Fix things? You think an apology would have fixed the mess you made? You threw me away, Sebastian. Like I meant nothing.”
“That’s not true,” he said fiercely.
“Isn’t it?” she challenged. “You had someone else. You didn’t need me anymore.”
Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken pain.
“I was a fool,” he admitted, his voice raw. “Victoria meant nothing to me. I was lost, Isabelle. And I made the wrong choices.”
She shook her head, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve moved on.”
Sebastian’s gaze darkened. “Have you?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “I’ve built a life for myself. A good life. And I won’t let you ruin it.”
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t look away. “I’m not here to ruin anything. I just want to talk. To understand.”
“Well, now you know,” she said, rising from her seat. “Good night, Sebastian.”
“Wait,” he said urgently, standing as well. “Please. I’m not trying to hurt you. I just… I miss you, Isabelle.”
Her heart twisted painfully, but she forced herself to stay strong. “You don’t get to say that. Not after what you did.”
“I know,” he said softly. “But I need to make things right.”
She shook her head. “It’s too late for that.”
As she walked away, her heart raced, knowing deep down that this was far from over.
- Writer
