ain, this time uncontrollably, and I had to grip the edge of the bed to steady myself. My body felt like it was shutting dow

t the Rinkside Café in an hour. We need to talk." A meeting. A face-to-face confrontation. My stomach ch

dly been dedicated to. Now, he was dedicated to her. The thought sent a fresh wave of ice through my veins. I threw on the first clothes I could find-a pai

hammering against my ribs. What would I say? What would she say? Would Elliott be there? The thought of seeing him with her, together, in public, made my breath catch. A part of me wanted to tur

afé's interior. Elliott, with his handsome, familiar face, and Kelsie, her blonde hair gleaming under the lights. She was younger than me, taller, with a lean, athlet

ked at her with an adoration that used to be reserved only for me. The sight was like a thousand tiny needles pricking my skin, e

er died. Elliott' s head snapped up, his eyes widening in shock when he saw me. Kelsie, however, just smirk

of annoyance. "Aria? What are you doing here?" He sounded angry, disgusted even. Kelsie leaned back

For her. Not for me. It was a clear line drawn in the sand. "Why are you here?" he r

, hot and uncontrollable. "What do you mean, why am I here? Who is thi

e push. It was dismissive, forceful. "You're making a scene. You're being dramatic. You

e, raw. "You disappear for days, ignore my calls, and I find you here with.

You fell apart. You stopped being the person I fell in love with." His eyes, o

eliberate act on my part. As if my pain, my broken body, somehow made me unworthy of his lo

e built? You're the pathetic one, Elliott! Hiding your affair, abandoning your wife, while I lay at home, sick and injur

is. I'm done with you." He grabbed Kelsie's hand. "Let's go." He didn't even lo

spare me a single glance. Not one last look. Just a blank, cold dismissal. The car sped away, leav

lection in the café' window. A gaunt, pale woman with haunted eyes stared back. My hair was disheveled, my clothes wrinkled. I looked

t wasn't here. He wasn't coming home. I collapsed onto the sofa, curling into a tight ball, the chills returning with a vengeance. My gaze landed on a potted

e would know what to do. She would make it better. I fumbled for my phone,

Elliott? Did you have a fight?" My initial flicker of hope died

s a good man. He's provided for you, given you everything. You tw

He's with another woman, Mom," I typed, my

im. You need to fight for your marriage." Her words were a bitter pill, dissolving any remaining warmth in me. She didn't care about my pain, only a