Isabella~
"What are you doing, Bella?" He gripped my hand tightly, pulling me back to safety from the high-speed train rushing past.
"Why did you save me?" I whispered, my voice thick with despair. "Victor, I want to die. I have nothing left now." Overwhelmed, I buried my face in his shoulder, letting my sobs break free.
"I never expected this from you," he murmured, patting my back in comfort. "You've always seemed like a strong, resilient woman who would never give up. How could you be ready to die over something so... trivial?" His words were gentle, yet I felt their weight.
"Victor, it wasn't a small thing," I choked, fighting to find the words for this unbearable ache in my heart. "I loved him; he was my life... I don't know how I'll survive without him."
"But why are you grieving for him?" Victor's voice grew firmer and steady as he helped me to the platform seat. "When has he ever shown you real love? Does he deserve your loyalty?"
"But I loved him, Victor." My voice cracked as I tried to stand, compelled to return to the edge of the platform. "How can I just live without him?"
He held me back, his grip gentle yet unyielding. "Doesn't your self-respect mean anything to you? If you go back, do you think he'll truly accept you? He'll just hurt you again." Victor's gaze softened, his fingers brushing the tears from my cheeks.
"But where will I go now?" I whispered, feeling the emptiness pressing down on me. "All I've ever wanted, my only goal, was to win Xavier's love... What should I do next?"
"You'll follow your dreams, Bella. You'll finish your law degree."
Startled by the unexpected voice, I turned to find my father-in-law standing behind me, his eyes filled with empathy.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" A rush of astonishment and shame flooded over me as I took in his presence.
"Bella," he said, his tone filled with warmth, "never think you're alone. I'm always here for you. It's unfortunate that my son didn't recognize the rare gem he had in you. On his behalf, I ask for your forgiveness." He extended his hand, his head bowed slightly in regret.
"No, Dad, please." I grasped his hand, pressing it to my cheek as fresh tears slid down. His kindness left a void in my chest that ached with both gratitude and grief.
"Let's go, Bella," Victor said, gesturing for us to leave the platform. "We have somewhere to be."
"Where?" I glanced between him and Dad, feeling as though I had lost all sense of purpose.
My father-in-law handed me an envelope with my law college admission papers inside. "Your law school is waiting for you."
My heart leaped as I looked down at the documents.
"Law school?" The words were barely a whisper; shock and a spark of hope filled my voice. "But how… when?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise for you after the anniversary celebration," he said with a sad smile. "My foolish son just couldn't understand what he was losing."
"Bella, your flight leaves in an hour," Victor added, urging me forward. His steady presence felt like a lifeline, grounding me in a moment I barely believed was real.
After closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, feeling the blessing of this opportunity. I rushed toward the airport with a new, determined heart.
"Where are you going, Victor?" I looked at him with surprise as he took a seat on the plane beside me.
"I've found a true friend in you, Bella," he said, his eyes softening. "I'm not about to abandon you in this."
My throat tightened, overwhelmed by his loyalty.
"But... your family, your brother—won't they need you?
"Please stop asking questions, Bella," he said, his hand reassuringly resting on mine. "You and Dad are my family now."
"You look beautiful today, Mama!" Alan's joyful voice snapped me back to the present, away from the flood of memories. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, realizing how those old memories had surfaced as I prepared for tonight's celebration.
"Daddy, doesn't Mama look amazing?" Alan called out, tugged Victor's hand, and dragged him inside.
Victor's gaze met mine, his expression unreadable before he offered a slight nod. His silent look made my heart ache—our unspoken history lingered between us. I broke eye contact, fixing my attention back on the floor, trying to ignore the unasked questions in his eyes.
"Don't you think some flowers would make Mama look even prettier, Dad?" Alan made the suggestion, grabbing roses from the hall's decoration.
Alan's enthusiasm warmed my heart, giving this celebration a lightness that lifted my spirits. It had been so long since my father-in-law had thrown a party like this.
"Daddy, why are you standing there?" Alan insisted, still holding the flowers. "Help Mama with these!"
Victor stepped forward and tentatively placed the roses in my hair. His touch was gentle, deliberate. I caught our reflection in the mirror, with Alan smiling beside us, and for a moment, we looked like the family we'd once dreamed of becoming.
"You look perfect now," he murmured, glancing at me.
"Thank you," I said, trying to hide my flustered expression. It had been days since he spoke to me, so kindly, especially since learning about Xavier. But tonight, the tension had softened, and I couldn't help but feel the memories tugging at my heart.
However, my thoughts returned to Xavier. Alan had invited him, despite my desire to keep him at a distance. How would I face him after he'd seen me with Victor?
Victor's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Are you still upset with me, Bella?"
The unexpected gentleness in his tone brought tears to my eyes.
"Do you remember what today is?" My voice broke, haunted by old pain and betrayal.
"Please, don't cry," he whispered, brushing the tears from my cheeks. "Tonight is a celebration of what you've achieved, Bella. Don't let the past take that from you."
I leaned into his shoulder, finding solace in the shared silence, until Alan's voice made me quickly pull away.
"Thank you for coming, Uncle!" Alan's voice was bright with excitement, his hand in Xavier's as they entered the room.
My heart skipped as I met Xavier's gaze. His blue eyes locked onto mine, carrying a mix of hurt and confusion. He stood frozen, watching me pull away from Victor's embrace. I felt the weight of his stare, every unspoken question echoing between us.