Chapter 298 Bridges we built back

Chapter 298 Bridges we built back
Isabel’s POV

It’s been three weeks since Roy left.

Three weeks of making new memories—of watching the kids laugh more freely, of letting Alexander in more than I’d ever planned to. Three weeks of unwinding the past, one gentle day at a time.

And now, I’ve finally brought to life the girls’ outing Aria once suggested over the phone months ago. Except it’s more than just the girls now—it’s all of us. The people who’ve become family in ways blood never could. Me, Alexander, the kids… and the couples who found love amidst all our chaos.

Alexander sits beside me, his shoulder lightly brushing mine as we stare out at the wide stretch of the El Matador beach. The sea dances before us, waves crashing gently like a rhythm only the heart understands. The kids are playing a messy game of catch around us, laughing as they dart past. Scarlett nearly trips over Alexander’s feet, and he makes a playful attempt to grab her.

Their laughter fills the air, and for once, the noise doesn’t feel overwhelming. It feels like peace.

Aurora walks up to us, tugging off her headphones, her face cap still covering most of her face. My little sister. Now a celebrity overnight. She crouches next to the kids and says in a mock dramatic tone, “Come on, munchkins. Aren’t you people hungry?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I thought you were having a good time with Richard,” I tease, nodding toward where Richard stands by the canopy.

She throws a look over her shoulder before turning back to me, straight-faced. “Alexander, please tell your dear wife to give me food before I faint. She planned this whole getaway and still made me skip breakfast in a hurry.”

Alexander blinks. A smile spreads slowly across his face. “Wife?” he echoes, amused.

I scoff. “Wife? Aurora, come on, we—”

She throws her hands up. “Nope. You can hold up with that explanation of yours. I said what I said, okay?”

My mouth falls open. I blink, stunned. She turns to Alexander, lifting a brow. “You’re in support of me, right, brother-in-law?”

Alexander coughs, eyes flickering toward me. “I mean… not like I’m not happy to hear you say that,” he says carefully. “But I’m not forcing anything on your sister. Just being here, sharing moments with the kids—that’s more than enough for me.”

His voice is low, sincere, his eyes brushing over me every few words.

Aurora sighs and plops herself on the sand. “Ugh. Fine. I give up.”

Just then, Collins walks toward us, hands in pockets. “Hey, lovebirds. Table’s set. Let’s go eat.”

Aurora jumps to her feet immediately. “Finally! You have no idea how long I’ve been starving.”

Collins laughs. “Oh really? Then let’s go. There’s so much to eat! Come on, kids!”

The kids race after him, grabbing onto Aurora’s hands as she leads them away, giggling.

I stand up too, brushing the sand off my shorts when Alexander’s hand brushes mine. The touch sends a jolt through me. A chill. That familiar warmth I’ve tried to ignore.

I pull my hand back gently, trying to tuck it into the other—only to realize he’s doing the same thing. Our eyes meet in that exact second. We both go to apologize at once, voices overlapping in awkwardness.

Then, quieter than a whisper, he says, “Some part of me still waits for you… even when I try not to.”

My breath catches.

I clear my throat, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as the wind blows it around my face. “I’ll, uh… go now,” I mumble, pointing toward the booth area.

He nods silently. I walk away, aware—so aware—that his gaze is still on my back.



The meal’s long over now.

The kids, Alexander, Collins, and Richard are back outside, sitting in the open as the sun starts its slow descent. Aria and Collins had volunteered to cook, and now it’s just me and Aurora clearing the table.

Aria stands to help, picking up a few plates, but I rush to her side. “Hey—no. You know you don’t have to do this, right? You’re carrying a baby. You don’t need to stress. I’ve got it. Aurora and I can handle everything.”

She looks at me. Quiet. Her eyes soft. “I still want to help, Isabel. I know you’re trying to be cool with me now, but I can still feel the gap between us. I get it. I don’t expect you to forgive me just because I asked. But let me do this, please. It makes me feel… better. Like I’m at least trying to repay my sins. Even in the smallest ways.”

I freeze.

I drop the plate I’m holding back onto the table, turning to face her. “And who told you that you have to keep repaying for your sins?”

She looks startled.

“You think I’ve been avoiding you because I still hold everything against you?” My voice begins to shake. “I’ve been avoiding you because… I don’t know how to stop caring.”

A tear slips down my cheek, and I let it fall.

“I want to hate you, Aria. God knows I do. But every time I try… I end up wondering if you’ve eaten, or if the Castillos are treating you right, or if your baby is okay. And it hurts. Because how do I hate you… when I still love you?”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

“I never liked that you didn’t talk to me about what Selene and Cynthia had threatened you to do. But I heard everything. I know how you reached out to Collins. I know you sent your location. You tried to save them. I believe that.”

My voice softens.

“I know how much you love Scarlett and Sterling too.”

A tear escapes her as she whispers, “Isabel…”

I wipe my face quickly. “Please don’t cry, Aria. And I’m sorry… for letting the distance between us get this far. I never should’ve made you feel like you had to earn your way back.”

I pull her into a hug.

Aurora’s voice comes right after, loud and dramatic as ever. “Awww! Count me in too!”

She throws her arms around both of us, and we burst into laughter through the tears. We stay like that—wrapped together, letting the wind brush over our skin.

For the first time in a long time, something in my chest loosens. The ache I’ve been carrying… finally lifts.

Maybe healing isn’t the end of the story… maybe it’s the part where we finally begin.