Chapter 90 Walking Away
BELLA
The phone felt heavy in my hand as I stared at Elowen's name on the screen. My thumb hovered for a second before I tapped to call her.
"I'm coming home," I said the moment she picked up.
Her voice was laced with confusion. "What? Why?"
I drew in a shaky breath. "I ended things with David. I can't... I won't do this anymore." My voice cracked, and I hated the weakness I heard in it.
Elowen hesitated before responding, her voice soft but steady. "Alright, babe. I'm at home. Come over."
I hung up and hailed a cab, sliding into the backseat with a heavy heart. The car rumbled to life, the sound barely cutting through the storm of emotions in my head. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past. The weight of it all settled deep in my chest David’s betrayal, the lies, the games. The wind outside seemed relentless, as though it shared my turmoil.
"We're here," the driver said, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts.
I blinked and reached into my wallet, handing him the fare. My legs felt like lead as I stepped out of the car. There, standing at the entrance of my apartment complex, was Elowen. Her arms were crossed, her face a mixture of concern and determination.
The moment she saw me, she ran to me, enveloping me in a tight hug. "It's okay, girl," she whispered against my hair. "It's really okay."
I wanted to believe her. I wanted to hold onto that shred of comfort, but my heart betrayed me. The tears I'd sworn not to shed poured down, soaking her shoulder.
Elowen didn’t let go. She held me steady, guiding me inside. The familiarity of my apartment greeted me, unchanged since the day I'd left. Yet, I felt like a different person now a stranger in my own life.
When we were settled, Elowen leaned forward, her eyes searching mine. "What happened?"
I sighed, knowing the question was inevitable. "David slept with Lizzy," I said, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.
Her eyes widened in shock. "What?"
"I didn’t want to believe it either," I continued, my voice trembling. "I thought he had feelings for me. But it was all a lie. A cruel, calculated lie."
Elowen’s hands tightened into fists. "How did it happen?"
I sank deeper into the couch, the memories cutting like glass. "I went out with Jasper his son. When we came back, I found him..." My throat tightened, but I forced the words out. "I found him with her. In our room. On our bed."
Elowen’s expression darkened. "That bastard."
"I felt betrayed, Elowen. Used." My voice cracked again. "I was so out of it I didn’t even see the car that hit me. I thought I wouldn’t wake up. But when I did..." I trailed off, looking down at my trembling hands. "When I did, I was back with him, living in that mansion, and I couldn’t remember anything."
Her lips parted in disbelief. "Wait. That’s why he kept asking me questions about you what you loved, your childhood memories."
"What did he ask?" I asked, curious despite the ache in my chest.
Elowen's jaw clenched. "He wanted to know everything about you your favorite things, what made you happy. I thought he was trying to be thoughtful, but now I see he was just manipulating you."
I nodded, the betrayal settling deeper into my bones. "I stayed because I wanted to believe he cared. But instead, he used me as a pawn in his game to trap Lizzy."
Before she could respond, my phone buzzed. David's name flashed on the screen, the sight of it making my stomach twist.
Elowen raised an eyebrow, her expression asking the question her lips didn’t: "Are you going to answer that?"
I shook my head. "No. I’m done with him."
The phone buzzed again, and this time it was my director’s name on the screen. I hesitated before answering.
"You’re to resume work tomorrow," he said curtly.
"Okay, sir," I replied, my voice steady.
As I hung up, Elowen moved closer, concern etched on her face. "You’re going back to work?"
I nodded.
"David owns that company," she reminded me, her voice laced with unease.
"I know," I whispered, my gaze fixed on the floor. "But I don’t have to see him to do my job. I’ll keep my head down, focus on work, and avoid him as much as I can."
The room fell into silence, the weight of my words hanging between us. I wasn’t sure if I was convincing her or myself.