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Chapter 7
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2025-02-15 05:05:31A Past That Can’t Stay Hidden
The city had its usual buzz. Cars honked, people chatted, and the streetlights flickered on as dusk settled in — just like always. But for Isabella Patterson, everything felt different this time.
She sat in a cozy little café, warmed by an old cup of espresso that had gone cold. Across from her, her friend Sophia was watching her, clearly waiting for her to say something.
“You saw him again, didn’t you?” Finally, Sophia broke the silence.
Isabella sighed, feeling heavy inside. “Yeah.”
Sophia wasn’t surprised. “And?”
“It’s… complicated.”
Sophia leaned in, curious. “Complicated because you still have feelings for him? Or because you’re scared of what he might say?”
Isabella tightened her grip around the cup. She wanted to say it was just a nuisance. That the past didn’t bother her anymore. But lying to herself had never worked out.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” she finally admitted softly. “But being near him again? It just makes everything harder.”
Sophia studied her. “Maybe it’s time to be honest with him.”
Isabella shook her head. “No. Telling him the truth will only make things worse.”
Before Sophia could argue, Isabella’s phone buzzed. When she looked at the screen, her breath caught.
Xavier Carter.
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to pick it up?”
Isabella hesitated. Ignoring Xavier had never been easy. Finally, she took a deep breath and tapped the answer button.
“Isabella,” Xavier’s voice came through, calm and steady. But there was an undertone of uncertainty.
“Xavier,” she replied, nervous.
“I want to see you.”
She felt her heart race. “Xavier, I don’t think—”
“I know you don’t think it’s a good idea,” he interrupted gently. “But I really need to talk to you. Just talk.”
There was no rush in his voice, no pressure. Just a calm request.
Isabella sighed. “Where?”
“I’ll text you the details.” A pause, then softer, “Please.”
Isabella exhaled slowly. “Okay.”
After hanging up, Isabella noticed Sophia smirking.
“You’re serious,” her friend teased.
Isabella shook her head, but her heart was racing.
She knew exactly what was going on.
---
Later that Day
The restaurant was fancy, dimly lit, filled with quiet conversations that floated around the space. As soon as Isabella walked in, she spotted Xavier.
He looked pretty much the same as he had years ago, but she could see changes only someone who truly knew him would notice. His dark suit was crisp and his posture was relaxed yet confident. But his eyes — deep and wise — had a new softness.
As she approached him, he stood and pulled out a chair for her.
“Always the gentleman,” she said with a small smile.
He gave her a grin back. “Some things don’t change.”
She hesitated and then sat down. “I wasn’t sure if I should come.”
“I hoped you would,” he replied, watching her closely. There was no judgment in his tone, just simple honesty.
Isabella took a deep breath. This was the part that made things difficult.
Because Xavier Carter had always been kind.
He had always loved her with a patience she sometimes thought was too much.
And yet, she had left.
“You look great,” he said, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“You do too,” she replied with a small smile.
When a server came by to take their orders, they fell into a brief silence. It wasn’t awkward, but it felt heavy.
Finally, Xavier spoke.
“Why did you leave, Isabella?”
Her heart sank. She had expected him to ask, but that didn’t make it easier.
“I wanted a fresh start,” she said carefully.
His gaze didn’t waver. “Why?”
She looked away. “Because staying was just too hard.”
Xavier sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Did I — was it something I did?”
Her heart raced. “No. Xavier, it wasn’t about you.”
His lips pressed together in concern. “Why did you just vanish? Why didn’t you trust me enough to tell me what was going on?”
She could feel a lump form in her throat. “Because I knew you would try to fix it. And some things… some things can’t be fixed.”
His eyes softened. “You don’t have to protect me from whatever it is, Isabella. I’m still here.”
Her heart skipped a beat.
But that was the issue, wasn’t it?
Xavier Carter had never known how to let go.
And if he found out the truth — if he learned why she had left — she couldn’t be sure how he would react.
“Xavier…” she started, but he shook his head.
“I’m not asking for all the answers right now,” he said quietly. “I just want to understand. Because I’ve cared about you all this time. Seeing you now reminds me I never really let you go.”
Isabella felt her walls start to crumble.
The truth was right there, just out of her reach.
But saying it would open up feelings she wasn’t sure she could handle.
So, instead, she whispered, “I’m sorry, Xavier.”
His expression changed to something she couldn’t fully read.
Disappointment? Sympathy?
But he nodded. “Okay.”
That was the thing about Xavier. He never pushed.
Even when he had every right to do so.
He simply sat there, watching her with the same calm patience that had always set him apart.
And deep down, Isabella knew…
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
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Sent PackingThe cab came to a screeching halt in front of the grand mansion, but Isabella barely noticed. Her mind was a whirlwind of rage, shame, and confusion. As she paid the driver with trembling hands, the weight of the previous night pressed down on her chest like a stone.She stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement, and stared at the house she had called home for so many years. It didn’t feel like home anymore. Not after what she had seen. Not after what she had done.Taking a deep breath, Isabella squared her shoulders and pushed through the front door.The moment she stepped inside, all hell broke loose.“Isabella!” her mother’s voice rang out, sharp and frantic. “Where have you been?!”Before Isabella could react, her father stormed toward her, his face dark with anger. “Do you have any idea what time it is?! We’ve been calling you all night!”Her eyes darted to the living room—Tyler was there, pacing like a restless wolf. The second their gazes met,
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One Night Stand“Take me to a club,” Isabella said, her voice barely above a whisper but laced with urgency.Xavier glanced at her, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “A club? At this moment?”“Please,” she insisted, still staring blankly out the window.He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Isabella, it’s late. Maybe you should—”“I don’t want to think, Xavier!” she snapped, turning to face him for the first time. “I don’t want to sit in my room and cry all night. I need… I need to forget.”Silence stretched between them. Then, finally, he nodded. “Fine. But I’m not leaving your side. Not even for a second.”She didn’t respond. She just stared back out at the city lights flashing by. Her heart was still racing, still breaking. Tyler and Nuella. Her best friend. How could they? Three years of loyalty, love—thrown away like garbage.Her hands clenched into fists. “Forget it. Just forget it.” She kept mumbling to herself.The club pulsed with music, the air
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The Betrayal The night air was crisp, wrapping around Isabella Paterson like a warning. She stepped through the grand glass doors of the office building, her heart pounding with excitement. A soft hum of fluorescent lights filled the nearly empty lobby, and the faint scent of cleaning supplies lingered in the air.Her fingers tightened around the flask in her hands—his favorite meal, spicy spaghetti with garlic bread, still warm from the Italian restaurant he loved so much. She had planned this surprise meticulously. Tyler had been distant lately, buried under the weight of work, but tonight, she would remind him of their love. The receptionist, Alora, was already gathering her things for the night. Her eyes flickered up in mild surprise before she smiled.“Miss Paterson,” Alora greeted, her voice polite but tired.“Evening, Alora,” Isabella chirped, her lips stretching into a warm smile. “Tyler’s still here, right?”“Yes, ma’am. Working late, as usual.” Alora chuckled s
