Chapter 165 BROKEN

Chapter 165 BROKEN

TWO WEEKS LATER

GABRIELLA

It had been exactly two weeks since Isaiah left. And for almost that entire time, Karima had practically locked herself inside her room.

I'd tried everything to get her out. The one time I actually succeeded, it ended worse than I expected. The moment she started talking, she broke down halfway through every sentence.

But even that wasn't the hardest part. The hardest part was Julian. After I'd somehow convinced him Isaiah had gone away on a business trip, he'd innocently ask about him every single day.

Each time, Karima looked like another piece of her heart broke. Isaiah called every day too but I dared not tell Karima because he begged me not to tell her.

At first, I thought he was making a mistake. Now… I understood why after I eventually got tired of both of them pretending everything was fine and practically forced Isaiah to tell me what had happened that night.

After hearing everything… I finally understood. His voice over the phone sounded so broken that I honestly thought he'd cried. And now… It was even harder pretending nothing had happened. Because I knew exactly what it felt like to let go of someone you loved.

I finished making Karima another cup of coffee, one I sincerely hoped she'd actually drink this time—when my phone suddenly rang.

I glanced at the screen. A smile immediately tugged at my lips.

Ashford.

I couldn't help laughing. "I can already tell someone's missing me.”

Samil didn't even bother denying it. "What if I told you I've been staring at your picture for the last five minutes?"

I laughed. "God... you're unbelievable." I quickly lowered my voice when I realized how loudly I'd laughed. "We literally saw each other this morning, Dr. Samil."

I heard papers rustling on the other end which tolde he was already back in his office. "Yeah," he sighed. "And I'm paying for that right now. I almost forgot about my meeting." There was a short pause before he added. "We should really do something about this."

I walked out of the kitchen, coffee mug still in my hand. "Oh?" I smiled. “And what exactly do you have in mind?"

"Simple." His voice carried that confidence I knew too well. "You come over tonight. You've got my spare key anyway."

I laughed. "What kind of cheat code is that?"

"No. I'm not sleeping over. That's not happening."

He laughed too. "Easy. I'll just kidnap you instead. I've seen it happen in enough movies."

I rolled my eyes despite knowing he couldn't see me. "You don't strike me as someone who watches movies, Ashford. I bet all you watch is Discovery Channel."

His laugh echoed through the phone. "So that's what you think of me?"

"It is." We both laughed again. The sound lingered long enough to make my chest feel lighter. When the laughter finally faded, I rested against the dinning table. "Seriously…” I sighed. "I'm worried about Karry."

Silence settled on the other end. I wasn't surprised. I'd already told Samil everything a week ago, after I moved in to stay with Karima following everything that had happened that night.

Finally, he spoke. "I already told you what I think." A small pause followed. "You just refused to believe it."

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "That's not fair, Samil. You know why I can't agree with that. And besides..." I looked toward Karima's bedroom. "That isn't my decision to make. It's Karry's."

"As for me..." I shook my head. "That man doesn't even deserve the chance to talk to her."

He exhaled quietly. "What if that's exactly what she needs?"

I frowned.

"You told me yourself she's been like this ever since that night. What if he's the only person who can help pull her out of it?"

"She doesn't want to see him."

"Ella..." His voice softened. Listen to me. I've never met Karry. I've never met Owain either. So maybe I don't have the right to judge either of them." He paused before adding. "But from everything you've told me… what those two shared wasn't something ordinary. It doesn't disappear overnight."

I leaned silently against the table as I listened to him continue.

"I'm not asking you to take his side. I'm not even asking you to forgive him. I'm only asking you to stop trying to decide what's best for her."

He let the silence settle before finishing quietly. "Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for the people we love is step back and let them figure it out themselves."

I closed my eyes because I knew… Deep down… I hated how much sense he was making.

Just before I could answer, a knock echoed through the apartment.

I glanced over my shoulder. "Uh..."

"Everything okay?" Samil asked.

"Yeah." I frowned toward the door as another knock followed. "I think someone's here."

I reached for the handle. "I'll call you later, Ashford."

"Alright." A small pause followed and then, "Love you."

A smile tugged at my lips. "Love you too."

I ended the call and walked over to the door. The moment I pulled it open… I froze.

A tall man stood outside. Dark eyes. Neatly combed hair. His sleeves were rolled to his forearms, revealing intricate black tattoos disappearing beneath the fabric of his shirt. Despite how composed he looked, the dark circles beneath his eyes told a completely different story. He looked exhausted. Like someone who hadn't truly slept in days.

"Hi." His voice was calm. Almost too calm.

I blinked. "...Hi?"

A faint smile touched his lips as he extended his hand toward me. "I'm Owain."

The name hit me like a punch to the stomach. Every conversation I'd had with Karima… Everything Isaiah had told me… Everything Samil had been trying to convince me of… Came crashing back at once.

My stomach sank. Owain was standing at the front door. But... Why did he look so... broken? This wasn't the cold, heartless man I'd expected to see.