CHAPTER TWO

                              LALIYA’S POV

“I honestly cannot believe Santi would do this. And without asking for your take on it?” Elio fumed.

Elio Meadows was my husband’s younger brother who had turned to be my best friend over the years. He was nothing like his brother and if I wasn’t a part of the family, I would bet my money that Elio and Santiago weren’t real brothers.

While Santiago was rude, cold, and inconsiderate of people’s feelings, Elio was warm, kind hearted, and probably the most understandable person I’d ever met. He was just like my brother, Crone.

“If he wasn’t my brother, I would have punched him in the gut for daring to hurt you. He has no right! How could he decide to file for a divorce even though you both have the same rights in the marriage?”

It’d been three days since I got the divorce papers from Santiago. He dropped them in my hands and said ‘sign it’. It was a clear command that showed me that he didn’t need my opinion, he just needed my signature.

“It has to happen one day,” I said with a deep sigh and sipped the strawberry flavored boba Elio brought for me.

I stared at the man. He was perfect. He knew my favorite food and color, he knew what I wanted and what I hated. Why couldn’t dad make the pact that I married him instead?

Why did I always have lucks that hang upside down?

“Yes, it has to happen one day, but it has to be with your consent too. Don’t cover up for him again, you always have excuses for his bad behaviors.”

Did I? I guessed I did.

“He is your brother, El.”

“And you're my best friend. If I have to pick right now, I’m picking you. He is cold hearted anyway, I'm sure he can take care of himself.” Elio’s face matched with his voice, both stoic and hard. My cheeks reddened at how annoyed he appeared to be. It felt good to see someone fighting for me.

“Oh he’s such an asshole,” my best friend fumbled again. I let my hand grab his and threw him a small, sad smile.

“It’s okay, El. I’m fine. It’s bound to happen anyway, so it’s no big deal. I’ll give him what he wants and sign the divorce papers.”

He turned our hands over, put his on mine, and gave me a nod. “You are a good woman, I hope you know that. I also hope you do not blame yourself for how the marriage turned out. My brother is a foolish man who doesn’t know the gift he has, until he loses it.”

Elio’s words struck a chord deep inside me, serving as a quick reminder that I was too quick to doubt myself and feel guilty for no reason. I had always been a fixer, and that was probably why I always attracted toxic people. I'd had two relationships prior to getting married to Santiago, and they had all been total epic failures.

I wondered how I always attracted the assholes of the earth.

I was ashamed to admit, but despite not being attracted to Santiago one bit, I had hoped that our marriage would last long enough(if not forever). I knew it was toxic, but I wanted to prove myself wrong that it wasn’t me who had been making my past relationships crumble.

Maybe it was me and it was high time to accept that.

“You always see the good in people, Liya,” Elio continued, his voice filled with genuine concern. If there was one thing Elio hated, it was hearing me talk down about myself. “Even when they don’t deserve it, even when there’s no good quality about them, you still find one goodness to hold on to. And that’s what makes you so special.”

His words were almost as though he enveloped me in a warm embrace. Elio in Las Vegas was like my brothers in Texas. Just like them, he was always gentle with me. Just like them, he was always here, like a reminder that I wouldn’t ever have to pass through anything alone. He was my best friend and I didn’t know what I would do without him while married to his brother.

“You must think I’m stupid, right?” I let my insecurity talk again. “Getting married to a total stranger to ‘honor my father’s last wish.’ I thought I was doing the right thing. Look where that got me. Being a divorcee at twenty-five is not something to be proud of.”

“I don’t think you’re stupid. If anything, it just proves what I just said about you being a good woman. Don’t blame yourself,” he admonished with such lightness that contradicted the face he was trying to give me. “You did what you thought was right, what you believed would honor your late father and make him happy. Not everyone can do that. So don’t blame yourself, none of this is your fault.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I nodded, registering his words in my head and trying to accept it for myself. “You think so?”

“I know so,” he soothed. “In these three years that I’ve known you, the respect I have for you skyrockets every time. You are a woman of strength and if I had the power, I would keep you all for my brother because you are exactly the type of woman I prayed for such a hotheaded jerk like him. It is what it is, Laliya. I just know you have no fault in this.”

“Thank you.” I smiled for the first time in three days. This was exactly what I needed. Someone to believe in me and validate my right choices, and that’s exactly what Elio did every time. “How are you brothers with Santiago?”

Elio let out a deep rumbled laugh and shook his head. His expression then turned fake-serious and he placed his hand under his chin. “I know, right? Even I think about it sometimes. Is he the bastard? Or am I the bastard?”

“You’re either the real son, or you make such a good bastard.” His laugh was even louder than the former. It was like before, where we met and shit on his brother’s behavior. I just hoped nothing would change after we went both ways.

“Nothing would change even after you and Santi divorced. I promise.”

My eyes widened and I wondered how he knew what was going through my mind. Sometimes, he was so accurate with my feelings that it was scary. “Did I say that out loud?” I couldn’t help but ask.

“No, but your face changed and I couldn’t help but guess. If that wasn’t what you thought of, then I'm telling you right now, nothing will ever ruin our friendship.”

“Good to know. I'd love to know how your brother stays alone for the rest of his life. Sorry not sorry!”

Elio chuckled again, his chest rumbling as he adjusted the silver wristwatch I got him for his last birthday. “I doubt he’ll be alone. He’ll probably go to…” he paused, frowned and tilted his head.

Confusion highlighted my features at the expression on his face. He looked so bewildered, but also looked as though he found something all figured out. “Probably go to who?” I asked, desperate to know what changed his mood.

“Liya, I have to go,” he announced instead, already gulping down his cold cappuccino and picking up his car key.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, sure!” he stuttered, letting me know that nothing was well at all. “I’ll see you later.” He gave me a quick peck on the cheek and ran out of the cafe, while I sat to finish my boba and wonder what caused him to run out in a bolt.