After She Walk Away

Chapter Three: Scattered

The scream turned into sobs that came from somewhere deep in Isabella’s chest, a place she didn’t know existed until now. Her body shook with them, violent and uncontrollable. The wedding dress felt like it was suffocating her, all that silk and lace and tulle closing in.

“I can’t breathe.” She clawed at the bodice, at the buttons running down her spine. “Jade, I can’t breathe.”

“Okay, okay. Hold on.” Jade was already working the buttons, her lawyer fingers quick and efficient. “Driver, pull over.”

“Ma’am, we’re on the highway.”

“I don’t give a damn where we are. Pull over.”

The limo swerved onto the shoulder. Jade got the last button undone and yanked the dress loose. Isabella gasped, dragging air into her lungs.

“That’s it. Breathe. Just breathe.” Jade’s voice was steady, grounding. “In and out. You’re okay.”

“I’m not okay.” The words came out strangled. “Jade, what just happened? What the hell just happened?”

“Adrian is a worthless piece of s**t who doesn’t deserve you. That’s what happened.”

Isabella looked down at herself. The dress was still beautiful, still perfect, still everything she’d dreamed about. She was supposed to be married right now. At the reception. Having her first dance with her husband.

Instead, she was on the side of the highway having a panic attack.

“Six months.” She looked at Jade. “He’s been with her for six months. While we were living together. While we were having s*x. While I was planning our wedding.”

“I know.”

“Did you know? Did anyone know?”

“No.” Jade’s voice was fierce. “I swear to God, Bella, if I’d known, I would have cut his d**k off and fed it to him.”A hysterical laugh bubbled up. “That’s assault.”

“I’m a good lawyer. I’d get off on temporary insanity.” Jade pulled Isabella against her shoulder. “Or justifiable homicide. That’s a thing, right?”

Isabella cried into her best friend’s bridesmaid dress, probably ruining the silk. She didn’t care. Nothing mattered. Her entire life had just imploded in front of two hundred witnesses.

“My sister,” she whispered. “Vanessa. How could she?”

“Because she’s a selfish b***h who’s always been jealous of you.”

“That’s not true. Vanessa and I are fine.”

“Bella, honey, I love you, but you can be incredibly naïve about people.” Jade stroked her hair, carefully avoiding the pins and flowers. “Vanessa has resented you since we all met. She hates that you’re successful. That you’re smart. That you have your s**t together while she’s still playing dress up on i********: for likes.”

“So she slept with my fiancé?

“So she took the one thing she knew would destroy you.”

The words settled over Isabella like a shroud. She pulled back, wiping at her face. Her makeup was probably everywhere. She probably looked like a disaster.

She was a disaster

“I need to go home.

“Are you sure? We could get a hotel. Avoid the apartment for tonight.”

“It’s my apartment. Adrian’s the one who needs to leave.” Isabella’s voice hardened. “I want to make sure he’s actually gone.”

Jade studied her face, then nodded. “Okay. We’ll go make sure the bastard packed his shit.” She leaned forward to the driver. “Riverside Towers, corner of Fifth and Madison.”

The limo merged back Into traffic. Isabella stared out the window at the city passing by. Saturday afternoon in Riverside. People were shopping, eating brunch, living their normal lives. None of them knew that her world had just ended.

Her phone had been buzzing nonstop in her small clutch purse. She finally pulled it out.

Forty-seven missed calls. Sixty-three text messages.

She scrolled through them with numb fingers.

Mom: Bella, where did you go? We need to talk about this.

Dad: Call me, sweetheart. Please.

Catherine (work): Saw what happened. Take all the time you need. We’ll handle everything.

Sarah (bridesmaid): OMG Isabella I’m so sorry. Are you okay?

Unknown Number: This is Adrian. Please answer. We need to talk.

Unknown Number: Bella, please. I know you’re hurt but let me explain.

Unknown Number: You blocked me. I’m using Tyler’s phone. Please talk to me.

She scrolled further. More messages from friends, colleagues, distant relatives. Everyone had seen. Everyone knew.

Then she saw one from Vanessa.

Vanessa: I’m so sorry, Bella. I never wanted to hurt you. Please believe that. I love you. You’re my sister. But I love him too. I can’t help it. Please forgive me. Please.

Isabella stared at the message. The rage that flooded through her was so intense she actually shook.

“That bitch.” She held up the phone. “Look at this. Look at what she sent me.”

Jade read the message, her expression darkening. “She’s asking you to forgive her. After what she just did.”

“She says she loves me.” Isabella’s laugh was bitter. “You don’t do this to someone you love.

“No. You don’t.” Jade took the phone. “I’m blocking her number. And Adrian’s. And anyone else who thinks you owe them a conversation right now.”

“My mom is going to call.”

“Let her. You don’t have to answer.”

The limo pulled up outside Riverside Towers, the high-rise where Isabella had lived for three years. The doorman’s eyes widened when he saw her in the wedding dress, climbing out of the limo with mascara streaked down her face.

“Miss Hart. Are you alright?”

“No, Marcus. I’m really not.” She managed to keep her voice steady. “Has Adrian been by?”