Love, Broken and Reborn

Chapter 3.

Chapter 3 – Adele’s POV

Godfrey raises an eyebrow at me, his expression soft but firm. “You show up in Avalon with nothing but a suitcase and no real explanation. Something’s up. You’ve always been bad at hiding things, Adele.”

I look down at my plate, cutting into a pancake even though I’ve lost my appetite. Godfrey’s always been good at reading me, but I don’t know if I’m ready to lay everything bare.

“It’s complicated,” I say finally.

He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Life usually is. But you’re not alone, you know. Whatever it is, you can talk to me.”

I glance up at him, his brown eyes warm and steady. Something about his presence feels so comforting, like I can finally breathe again.

“I left Cedric,” I blurt out, my voice trembling.

Godfrey’s eyes widen slightly, but he doesn’t interrupt.

“I couldn’t do it anymore,” I continue, the words spilling out now. “The lies, the flirting, the way he always made me feel like I wasn’t enough. I tried to save our marriage, but he didn’t want to meet me halfway.”

Godfrey nods slowly, his expression unreadable. “So, you walked away.”

“Yes,” I whisper. “I had to.”

For a moment, the room is silent except for the faint sound of the wind outside. Then Godfrey reaches across the table, his hand covering mine.

“You did the right thing,” he says softly. “No one deserves to feel like they’re not enough.”

His words hit me harder than I expect, and I feel tears welling up in my eyes. I blink them away quickly, not wanting to break down in front of him.

“It’s not just that,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He tilts his head, waiting.

“I’m pregnant,” I admit, the words hanging in the air like a secret I’ve been holding too long.

Godfrey’s eyes widen again, but this time there’s something else in his expression—concern, maybe even protectiveness. “Does Cedric know?”

I shake my head. “No. I couldn’t tell him. Not after everything. I didn’t want him to think I was using the baby to fix us. I didn’t want to tie myself to him forever.”

Godfrey leans back, running a hand through his hair. “Wow. That’s… a lot.”

“I know,” I say quickly. “And I don’t expect you to fix anything, Godfrey. I just needed a place to land for a while.”

He shakes his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You don’t need to explain. You’re here, and that’s what matters. You’ve always got a place with me, Adele.”

The weight of his words settles over me, warming me in a way I haven’t felt in months.

The next few days blur together as I try to settle into life in Avalon again. Godfrey is more generous than I deserve, giving me space when I need it and company when the silence becomes too loud.

But every moment feels fragile, like the peace I’ve found here could shatter at any second.

One morning, I’m sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea when Godfrey walks in, his cheeks flushed from the cold.

“Morning,” he says, shaking snow off his boots. “I thought you might want to get out for a bit today.”

“Out?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” he says, grinning. “The winter festival’s still going on in town. Thought it might cheer you up.”

I hesitate, the idea of facing people filling me with unease. “I don’t know, Godfrey. What if someone recognizes me? I don’t want to explain…”

“Then don’t,” he says simply. “People here aren’t nosy, Adele. And besides, you deserve a little fun.”

I sigh, knowing he won’t take no for an answer. “Fine. But if this turns into a disaster, I’m blaming you.”

The festival is just as I remember it—rows of booths selling hot cocoa and handmade crafts, kids skating on a frozen pond, and couples walking hand in hand.

I pull my coat tighter around me, my breath fogging in the cold air. Godfrey walks beside me, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“See? Not so bad,” he says, nudging me playfully.

I smile despite myself. “It’s nice. I forgot how charming this place can be.”

As we wander through the festival, I start to relax. We stop at a booth selling candied apples, and Godfrey insists on buying one for me even though I protest.

“Come on,” he says, holding it out. “You can’t come to the festival and not have one. It’s a rule.”

I laugh, taking a bite. The sweetness bursts in my mouth, and for a moment, I feel like a kid again.

We keep walking, the festive atmosphere lifting my spirits. But then I hear a voice behind me that makes me freeze.

“Adele?”

I turn slowly, my heart sinking. Saskia.

Her auburn hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, and she’s dressed in a tailored coat that screams sophistication. She looks just as put-together as I remember, her green eyes sharp and calculating.

“Adele Waters,” she says again, her lips curling into a smirk. “I can’t believe it. Back in Avalon after all this time.”

Godfrey steps closer to me, his presence steadying. “Saskia,” he says coolly. “Didn’t know you were back in town.”

She glances at him, her smirk widening. “I could say the same about you, Godfrey. What, playing knight in shining armor now?”

“What do you want, Saskia?” I ask, my voice sharper than I intend.

She raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Just saying hello. But you know, Adele, word travels fast. People are going to start asking questions.”

I clench my fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “Let them.”

Saskia laughs, a sound that makes my skin crawl. “Oh, Adele. Still as feisty as ever. Well, I’ll leave you to it. But don’t be a stranger, okay?”

She walks away, her heels clicking against the cobblestones. I let out a shaky breath, my shoulders slumping.

“You okay?” Godfrey asks, his voice low.

I nod, even though I’m not. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

But as we continue through the festival, Saskia’s words linger in my mind.

That night, I sit in the guest room, staring at the ceiling. Saskia’s appearance has stirred something in me—a reminder of all the reasons I left Avalon in the first place.

There’s a knock at the door, and Godfrey steps in, holding two mugs of hot chocolate.

“Thought you could use this,” he says, handing one to me.

“Thanks,” I say, taking it gratefully.

He sits on the edge of the bed, watching me for a moment. “You seemed off after we ran into Saskia. Want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “She’s just… a reminder of everything I’m trying to forget.”

Godfrey nods, his gaze steady. “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re not that person anymore, Adele. You’re stronger now.”

His words catch me off guard, and I feel my throat tighten. “You really believe that?”