Walking aimlessly, that's what Isabella was doing. She left the building and crossed the pedestrian walkway, her gaze empty, occasionally wiping her tears. The woman couldn't find peace; her mind was filled with bitter thoughts about her life—her parents' divorce, then her father's death, her mother neglecting her, Joe not thinking about a future with her, and now she had to wrestle with her feelings for Hunter.
"Being with him will only bring me into trouble, or maybe even worse problems," she thought, recalling Hunter's story about Sarah being forced by Juliana to stay away from him.
"Why does it have to be like this? What did I do wrong? I've never hurt anyone... But why do I have to go through such a bitter life... Lonely, confused, hurt... I can't predict what my future will be..."
Isabella stopped and sighed, gazing across the street at a small park where a few people were relaxing. She quickly crossed the street along the sidewalk, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her gray hoodie.
She immediately searched for a place to rest until her eyes found an empty bench, a bit far from people. She headed there and sat down, looking around at the beautiful view of the majestic skyscrapers, brightened by lights, huge billboards, and more. Everything seemed lively, implying happiness, but it was the opposite of her gloomy heart.
"Dad..." She lowered her head, looking at a string bracelet with small wooden dice-shaped beads engraved with light brown letters. "Everything feels so hard without you... I have no one to lean on... No one I can trust. Loraine is even pushing me into Hunter's life... he's sure I'll be happy with him, but that's impossible. He's a liar... He can't convince his mother to hold on to his previous love. Maybe he's like that because he's too obedient... He wants to be a good son. That's not wrong... Not at all... And maybe he'll do the same if his mother doesn't like me to be his wife forever... He's not as strong as I thought..."
She took a long breath, then looked at the sky lit by a single moon with no stars visible.
"Lonely... Even the moon lights up the earth despite being alone in its solitude. Can I be like that, can I be that strong? If only Dad were still here... Maybe I would ask him, I would seek his advice on how to handle this storm." She muttered in her soft voice, often sighing, her chest tight from the turmoil inside.
"Baby..."
A baritone voice called her, making her quickly turn and see Joe standing about three meters away from her. Immediately, her hands clenched, trembling, and sweating cold, her eyes fixed on her ex-boyfriend who smiled so sweetly as he approached.
'God... What have I done? What if he really is the right man for me and has just been waiting for the right time to propose?' she wondered in her heart, her mind drifting to the moment she was with Hunter. 'I've betrayed him... I've lied to him...'
"Why are you crying?" Joe asked as he sat down, gently wiping Isabella's tears with his thumb, looking at her with concern. "And how did you get here? You're alone?" He looked around, then back at her.
"You didn't even bring anything," he said with concern.
"It's okay," Isabella replied, then smiled. "I'm just taking a walk around, so I didn't bring anything," she continued.
"You're lying..."
"No..."
"I know you're lying. You would never be alone crying if something wasn't hurting you," Joe said, his eyes deeply looking at her pale face. "Tell me... Did that guy hurt you? What did he do to make you come out like this at night, without bringing anything... This isn't like you at all. You never leave without your phone or wallet... And... What's wrong with your neck?" He asked as he found a red dot on the crook of Isabella's neck.
"Joe..." Isabella turned his face away, then licked her lips for a moment while caressing her neck, remembering Hunter kissing her a few times, probably leaving a red mark. "I'm fine. I wouldn't let that guy hurt me...It's just an insect bite..." She smiled reassuringly and chuckled a little.
"Anyway, how would he hurt me? He couldn't even catch me if I were just walking fast... He's so weak and can't do anything without his wheelchair or cane!" She convinced him.
Joe fell silent, staring at Isabella, trying to find honesty in her eyes.
"Come on..." Isabella cupped Joe's right jaw and stroked his cheek. "There's nothing for you to worry about. I'm fine... Fine."
"But you're crying," Joe whispered.
Isabella sighed. "That's because I miss my dad, you... I'm mourning my fate," she said resignedly.
Joe was silent.
"This isn't easy..." Isabella turned her face, looking ahead. "My dad's death still hurts me... But then I have to face this situation. I have to get used to a new person, then be far away from you." She looked back at Joe, once again remembering her intimacy with Hunter.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Sorry for what?" Joe asked, his gaze flat.
"Because I married another man just to solve my problems... I've hurt you," Isabella explained sadly, unable to hold back her tears, turning her face away. "Forgive me... I'm so sorry..."
"I'm the one who should apologize." Joe looked down, his breath quickening, clenching his fists. "I'm completely useless to you... I couldn't help you... How can I call myself your man? You deserve better!"
Isabella quickly turned to Joe.
"But..." Joe turned, his eyes filled with sadness. "I don't want you to fall in love with him... Or anyone else. I want to be selfish... I want you to remain mine. I hope you can be patient until... Until I can free you from this suffering..." His eyes welled up, tears escaping uncontrollably.
Isabella was stunned as if shocked by Joe's confession.
"Baby..." Joe grabbed Isabella's hand, holding it tightly. "I beg you... Never stop loving me even though there's distance between us, even though you're married to a man far better than me. I'll wait for you... I'll keep waiting for you even if it hurts to let you be with him... I'll work hard for our future... I promise... Don't leave me... Promise me we'll be together again like before!" He pleaded, his face tense.
Isabella remained silent, staring at Joe, who seemed to be pulling her back, making her not want to disappoint him, but she also couldn't stop thinking about Hunter, who had begged her for a chance to love her. It all became a dilemma, making her heartburn, her head feeling like it was about to explode with Hunter's vague shadows.