Chapter 4

Kristen’s heart felt heavy as she stood on Isla’s doorstep, her knuckles rapping softly against the wood. When the door swung open to reveal Isla’s concerned face, Kristen carefully smiled but the tears that followed freely after gave her off. She stepped inside the apartment as Isla had no idea what the matter was but had a glimpse it wasn’t too good.

Isla’s brow furrowed in concern as she watched Kristen’s fidgeted back and forth, her hands placed on her forehead and her tears flowing freely with a loud grunt that doesn’t seem to stop anytime soon,

“Kristen, you’re not just going to keep that up without letting me know what the matter was, are you.” Isla sighed and threw her hands down. Her voice was laced with worry. She had sensed Kristen’s distress over the phone earlier since Kristen had ringed her before coming over but could not hear her well. And now, seeing her friend in person, her concern only deepened.

“Kristen, talk to me. What’s wrong?” she asked and held her on either side of her shoulder, knowing it was about Clyde but could not say what actually happened between the both of them

With choked sobs, Kristen collapsed into Isla’s arms, her shoulders shaking with the weight of her grief. “Isla, it’s Clyde,” she managed to choke out her sobs, her words muffled against Isla’s shoulder. 

Isla held Kristen close, offering her silent comfort as she waited for her to gather herself enough to speak. Finally, Kristen pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face turning toward Isla as she struggled to compose herself.

Through trembling lips, Kristen recounted the painful events of the evening-the confrontation with Clyde, his sudden declaration of wanting a divorce, and the overwhelming sense of betrayal that had washed over her in the aftermath. As she spoke, her voice cracked with emotion, her tears staining Isla’s shirt. Isla listened quietly, her heart aching for her friend as she absorbed the full extent of Kristen’s pain. 

When Kristen finally fell silent, spent from the emotional outpouring, Isla reached out and squeezed her hands gently, her expression filled with empathy.

“Oh, Kristen,” Isla murmured, her voice soft with sympathy. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” she pulled Kristen into another comforting embrace, holding her close as she allowed her friend to cry out her pain. As Kristen’s sobs gradually subsided, Isla pulled back and met her gaze with unwavering support.

“You don’t deserve to be treated like this,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “Clyde’s actions are not a reflection of your worth.”

Kristen grunted and nodded her expression still heavy with sadness. “Maybe… maybe you’re right,” she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it still hurts.”

Isla smiled, reached out and brushed a stray tear from Kristen’s cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. “I understand,” she said, her voice filled with compassion. “So, what are you going to do? Will you spend the night here?” she questioned.

Kristen kept mute for a moment before speaking up. “I don’t know. Maybe… maybe I’ll crash here tonight… Can’t go back and see his face.” She took a deep breath and finally exhaled.

Isla nodded and said “Okay, I’ll prepare dinner then… just relax yourself, my house is your house, Kristen.” She turned around to take her leave but halted when Kristen whispered her name.

“What is it, Kristen?” She asked and took a few steps closer to her.

“Thank you, Isla… I don’t know what I’ll do without you.” She said and smiled.

“Seriously Kristen?” Do you have to stop me just because of that?” Isla shrugged, picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it at Kristen. She fled and retreated back inside the kitchen when Kristen picked up the pillow in an attempt to throw it at her.

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Clyde stood outside Charlotte's apartment, his heart pounding with a mixture of worry and guilt as he hasn't seen nor heard from Charlotte since he woke up in the hospital. He hesitated for a moment before pressing the intercom button. The sound of the buzzer echoing in the quiet evening air. He waited with bated breath, his mind racing with thoughts of what awaited him on the other side of the gate. All he could do was hope that everything was okay with her.

After what felt like an eternity, the gate finally swung open, revealing Charlotte standing on the other side. Clyde's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of her. The bandage wrapped around her head, a stark reminder of the pain he had caused.

“Charlotte,” Clyde began, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. “I… I didn't know you were injured. Are you okay?” 

Charlotte's expression was unreadable as she regarded Clyde, her eyes guarded and wary. “Why are you? Why have you come here?” She retorted as she locked the gate. “I don't want to see you Clyde,” She said, standing on a stance, her hands on either side of her waist.

Clyde flinched at the bitterness and anger in her words, the weight of his guilt settling heavily upon him. “Charlotte, I mean, I didn't know…” He sounded confused. “You seem like you are in a hurry… are you going somewhere?” He questioned and hurried to catch up with Charlotte who was already retreating back inside her apartment.

He caught up with her and stood right at her front and stopped her from taking another step. He held her firmly on either side of her shoulder and propelled his head forward so that his head was close to hers but Charlotte was not in the mood for that as she was already overwhelmed by her anger.

“Stay away from me, Clyde… I don't have time for this,” she said in a loud tone and lost the grip of Clyde on her shoulders.

“You need to calm down, Charlotte and hear me out,” He held her firmly on her right hand and was about to speak up but was interrupted by the noise that came behind him from Charlotte's apartment.