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Isla nodded, her gaze drifting back to the canvas. "You've certainly captured the spirit of this place. I can see why Simon is so taken with you."
Charlotte froze at the mention of his name. "You don’t have to rub it in, that—?"
"We have a history together?" Isla's voice held a tinge of wistfulness.
Charlotte chose her next words carefully. "Simon is free to make his own choices now. I won't interfere in whatever relationship the two of you still share. You made that point clear, and I agree."
Isla looked surprised, then understanding crossed her face. "Simon—while I'll always care for him, our time has passed.” She reached out and squeezed Charlotte's hand gently. "Don't let the past hold you back from finding happiness. I can see that your heart is open and true. That's what Simon needs."
Charlotte took a deep breath as she processed Isla's words of encouragement. This was not at all how she expected their first meeting to unfold.
"Thank you," she said finally. "I know Simon still cares for you deeply, and I would never try to come between that."
Isla gave a sad smile. "We were just children when we wed. It was a foolish match, but we both felt trapped by our circumstances."
She turned her gaze out to the sea, the breeze catching strands of her chestnut hair. "I've come to make peace with the past and release Simon fully. We both deserve a second chance at real happiness. I’m sorry I was so difficult, I just—I was trying to see what you were made of. If you deserved him."
Reaching into her bag, she withdrew an envelope. "I was on my way to the harbor to file these - our signed divorce papers."
Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise. So it was true - Simon was finally free. Her heart swelled with hope and anticipation even as she tamped it down.
"That really is a beautiful painting," Isla said, her voice warm with admiration. "You've perfectly captured the mood here - the solitude, the whispering sea, the cliffs standing sentinel."
Charlotte flushed, unused to praise for her art. "Thank you. Painting is my refuge, it always has been."
"I can see why." Isla tilted her head.
"Of course." Charlotte set down her brush and gestured to the empty chair beside her.
Isla settled gracefully, hands folded in her lap. For a moment, neither woman spoke, listening to the cry of gulls and murmur of waves.
Finally Isla turned to Charlotte, hazel eyes meeting blue. "I know my coming here was unexpected, but I wanted to speak with you before...well, before things move forward with Simon."
Charlotte hesitated. "You don't owe me any explanation."
"No, but I want you to know - Simon is a good man. Perhaps I didn't appreciate that as I should have when we were young. He deserves to be cherished." Isla smiled ruefully. "And I can see now, you are the one to do that."
Charlotte flushed, moved by Isla's sincerity. "All I want is his happiness. I won't come between you, as I said.”
Isla shook her head. "What we had was...different. More like companionship than real love." She gazed out at the sea. "I've spent so long trying to be the person everyone expected me to be. But here, I feel free - free to find myself again."
Charlotte nodded slowly, understanding dawning. "I feel that way too, since coming to Chesham Cove. Like I can breathe for the first time."
The two women shared a smile - a smile of shared experience and newfound kinship. The future stretched before them, uncertain but full of promise.
Charlotte took a deep breath, the sea air filling her lungs. "What will you do now?"
Isla tilted her head thoughtfully. "I don't know yet. But for the first time in a long while, I'm excited to find out."
She leaned down to pick up her bag. "I should be going. I have some papers to deliver."
Charlotte knew she meant the divorce papers for Simon. "I wish you all the best, truly. You deserve to find happiness, Isla."
"As do you." Isla squeezed her hand warmly. "Take care of that stubborn fisherman for me."
Charlotte laughed. "I'll do my best."
Isla walked down the rocky path toward town, her step lighter than before. At the edge of the cliff, she turned and waved.
