Chapter Ten: The only place she could break
882 Words
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
The moment Isla stepped into the lobby, her eyes searched the reception area until they landed on the one person she desperately needed.
“Mia…”
Without thinking, she ran.
Mia barely had time to react before Isla threw herself into her arms, wrapping them tightly around her best friend. The walls she had spent the entire day building around herself crumbled in an instant.
The tears she had been desperately holding back finally escaped.
Like a frightened child who had been trying to stay strong for far too long, she buried her face in Mia’s shoulder as sobs shook her entire body.
Mia’s expression softened immediately.
She gently wrapped her arms around Isla, one hand resting on the back of her head while the other rubbed soothing circles across her back.
“It’s okay…” she whispered. “I’m here.”
For several minutes, she simply let Isla cry.
She knew there were moments when words only made the pain heavier.
When Isla’s sobs finally began to calm, Mia carefully cupped her face and wiped away the tears streaming down her cheeks with her thumbs.
She looked straight into Isla’s red, tear-filled eyes.
“Why are you crying?”
Her voice wasn’t cold.
It was firm.
“You’re crying over Damien Cross?”
Isla lowered her gaze without saying a word.
Mia sighed.
“Listen to me carefully.”
She gently lifted Isla’s chin again.
“Not another tear for a man who betrayed you.”
Her voice grew stronger with every word.
“A man who cheated on you doesn’t deserve your tears… especially not someone as incredible as you.”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Mia’s lips.
“I didn’t come here to watch you cry.”
She lightly tapped Isla’s forehead.
“I came here to solve your problems.”
Finally, a tiny laugh escaped Isla’s lips.
A helpless smile followed as she shook her head.
“There you are,” Mia teased with a grin. “That’s the Isla I know.”
She folded her arms dramatically.
“So…”
“Are you going to leave your best friend standing in the reception area all day?”
“Or are you finally taking me to your office?”
A genuine smile slowly appeared on Isla’s face.
“I missed you.”
“I know,” Mia replied proudly. “Obviously. Life gets boring without me.”
Isla rolled her eyes before laughing again.
The sound was quiet…
But it was real.
Mia smiled to herself.
That laugh alone made the trip worth it.
As they walked toward the elevator together, Mia casually asked,
“By the way… is Liam still working here?”
Isla nodded.
“He is.”
“He has been with me through everything.”
“He supported me… more than I can ever explain.”
Mia gave a small nod.
“Good.”
“That’s exactly what I expected from Liam.”
The elevator doors opened once again.
The two best friends stepped inside side by side.
For the first time that day…
Isla didn’t feel completely alone.
⸻
A few moments later, they arrived on the executive floor.
The office employees couldn’t help but glance in their direction.
Some were surprised to see Isla smiling after everything that had happened.
Others were simply curious about the confident young woman walking beside her.
As soon as they entered Isla’s office, Liam immediately stood up from the sofa.
His eyes widened in surprise.
“Mia?”
A warm smile spread across his face.
“It’s been a long time.”
Mia returned the smile before walking over to him.
“It really has.”
Then her expression softened.
“Liam…”
“I owe you a thank you.”
He looked confused.
“For what?”
“For standing beside Isla.”
“For protecting her when she needed someone the most.”
Liam smiled modestly and shook his head.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I only did what anyone who truly cared about her would have done.”
“It was my responsibility.”
Mia studied him for a moment.
She respected him even more after hearing those words.
Then…
The warmth disappeared from her eyes.
She slowly turned toward Isla.
“So…”
“I think it’s time I pay your dear husband a visit.”
Isla’s smile vanished instantly.
“Mia…”
“No.”
Mia raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“I don’t want any trouble in the office.”
“Please.”
“If you want to say something to him…”
“We’ll talk at home.”
Mia crossed her arms stubbornly.
“No.”
“I’m going.”
“And relax.”
She flashed a mischievous smile.
“I promise…”
“I won’t start a war.”
A brief pause.
“…Unless he gives me a reason to.”
Without waiting for another response, Mia turned on her heel and walked confidently toward Damien Cross’s office.
Liam watched her disappear down the hallway before quietly muttering,
“I have a feeling she’s lying about that promise.”
For the first time that day…
Even Isla couldn’t argue with him.
- Writer
