Second to no one

Chapter 4: Unbroken

The morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting soft rays across Isa’s office. She sat at her desk, the rhythmic tapping of her pen against the paper the only sound in the quiet space. Her mind, however, was far from quiet. Memories of Dominic—his smile, his touch, the way he’d once promised her the world—kept drifting in, uninvited. But today, she was determined not to let those memories pull her under.

The knock on her office door snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Come in," Isa called, her voice steady, firm.

Dr. Elena Ramirez entered with a warm smile, her presence always a calm contrast to Isa’s storm of emotions.

"Good morning, Isa. How’s everything going with Dominic’s treatment?" Elena asked, her eyes scanning the papers on Isa’s desk.

Isa took a deep breath, focusing on the professional task at hand. "We’re making good progress," she replied, her tone clipped but controlled. "I’ve laid out the rehab exercises for him, and we’ll check in again on Tuesday."

Elena nodded. "Great. You’re doing excellent work. Let me know if you need anything."

Isa smiled, grateful for Elena’s unwavering support. As Elena left, Isa allowed herself a brief moment of relief before the memories of Dominic returned.

*Flashback*

It had been one of those carefree summer evenings, the kind where the world felt lighter, full of promise. She and Dominic had spent hours walking along the beach, talking about everything and nothing. The wind had tousled her hair, and she could still feel the warmth of his hand in hers.

"Isa, I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone like you," Dominic had said that evening, his voice soft and filled with admiration. "You make everything seem easier."

Back then, Isa had believed in him, in them. She had believed that no matter what, they would make it. She had been wrong, of course.

That same Dominic—her Dominic—was now the same man sitting across from her as her patient, still holding that same charm, but with none of the promises.

*Back to Present*

The ringing of her phone interrupted her thoughts, and a quick glance at the screen told her it was Dominic. She let it ring for a moment, but then decided to answer.

"Hello?" she said, her voice clear and neutral.

"Hey, Isa. It’s Dominic. Can we talk?" His voice, smooth as ever, came through the phone with a certain edge.

Isa felt a surge of annoyance, but she kept her cool. "I’m busy right now. If it’s important, we can meet later."

"Actually, I was hoping we could talk now. In person," he insisted. "Fine. There’s a café down the street. I’ll be there in 20 minutes."

---

Isa arrived at the café, her nerves steady but her thoughts racing. She had made peace with the past—mostly—but facing Dominic now, in this new reality, felt like a reminder of everything she’d once given up on.

She sat at a corner booth, her back straight, her face composed. When Dominic walked in, his usual confident stride caught her attention. But there was something in his eyes—something that made her question if he was still the man she’d once loved or if he was a stranger in disguise.

"Isa," he said softly, sliding into the seat across from her. "You look... amazing."

Isa didn’t smile. "Let’s get to the point, Dominic. I’m busy."

He seemed taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. "I just wanted to say... I’m sorry for everything. Things got complicated, and I had to focus on my career. But I never stopped thinking about you."

Isa’s heart didn’t skip a beat. Instead, she set down her coffee, her eyes steady on his. "You don’t get to waltz back into my life like this, Dominic. I’ve moved on."

His face fell, but he persisted. "You’re still angry, aren’t you? You have every right to be. But I need you to know that I never meant to hurt you." Isa sat back, crossing her arms. "No, Dominic. You meant exactly what you did. You walked away because you chose yourself, and that’s fine. But I don’t need you coming here and making me second-guess everything I’ve built."

His eyes softened, but Isa wasn’t going to let him melt her resolve. She had worked too hard, fought too long to let a man who walked out on her re-enter her life so easily.

"You’ve hurt me," she continued, her voice unwavering. "But I’m not going to let that define me anymore. I have a son, a career, and a life that doesn’t revolve around you. You don’t get to come in and out of it on your own terms."

There was a brief pause, and for a moment, it seemed like he might argue, but he didn’t. Instead, he let out a slow breath, his gaze meeting hers.

"I get it," he said, his voice quieter now. "I really do. I’m sorry for everything."

Isa nodded, standing up, her decision final. "Goodbye, Dominic." Isa knew who she was. She wasn’t the girl who had fallen for Dominic’s charm. She was a woman who had learned from the past, who knew that her strength wasn’t measured by how much she could give to someone else, but by how much she could give to herself and her son.

That night, as she tucked Chase into bed, his small arms wrapping around her in an innocent embrace, she felt at peace. She was the mother he needed. She was the woman who could handle anything life threw her way. And she would never let anyone—especially not Dominic—convince her otherwise.