“You, you don’t love me?”
Aria felt his body sway around her. The light in his eyes extinguished like water being thrown on a flame. His voice faltered as he spoke.
“Aria, I trusted you with my whole heart. I gave it away to you willingly. It was the hardest thing to do after Bella’s betrayal. But it was also the easiest because I fell in love with you all over again the moment I saw you in that cafe. Please don’t do this. My heart is breaking into a million pieces.”
“I’m sorry, Alex,” she whispered.
Aria pulled away from his hands and walked quickly to the door, her steps hesitating.
Don’t turn around.
She turned the doorknob and bolted out the door. Once outside, she ran to her car and started it. Her whole body was shaking. She wished it was still raining so her tears would be disguised, the darkened skies matching the feeling in her heart.
When she pulled back onto the highway, Corinna’s text came through the hands-free screen on her dash.
Corinna:Flight leaves in 4 hours. At your house packing for you. You need to hurry.
Aria had no idea how she got home. Pulling up to her house, she looked around as if coming out of trance. Dragging her feet like they were lead, she stood at her door and finally got the lock opened, her hands trembling violently.
Corinna met her at the door, catching her when she fell into her arms.
“Aria, tell me what happened.”
Aria hugged her, letting the warmth of her embrace bring a little peace to her battered heart.
“Let’s get you in the shower. You’re freezing. Are you still sure this is what you want?’
“Yes,” Aria whispered, her teeth chattering.
She wasn’t sure if it was from shock or being wet.
Corinna helped get her into the bathroom, turning the shower to a warm stream.
“I’ll be right outside if you need help. I’ve put some comfortable clothes here on the counter for you.”
Aria nodded, walked into the bathroom, and closed the door. The steam instantly helped her to take in a cleansing breath.
When she had finished showering and got dressed, Corinna came in and helped her towel dry her hair.
“Can you talk yet? I’ve been so worried since you ran out of the cafe.”
“I told Alex that I couldn’t continue seeing him. That he would only grow to resent me if he gave up his career to stay here with me,” Aria said, her eyes vacant as Corinna brushed out her hair before putting it up on a ponytail.
“What did he say?”
“That he loved me and would give up anything to be with me.” Her eyes lifted and caught Corinna’s in the mirror. “You know I can’t do that to him. He knows I’m right, but won’t admit it.”
Nodding her head and putting the brush down to hold Aria’s shoulders, she answered, “I understand. When you admitted that you felt that resentment about your writing, it was, well, an eye-opener. What you and Nicholas had was beautiful, but I can see now that it was with its challenges as well. I’ve never met anyone I’d be willing to give that much to.”
Aria stood up, tossing her brush and the last of her toiletries in her travel bag.
“Love is hard, beautiful, painful, and yes, not perfect.”
“But was it worth it?” Corinna asked, her voice gentle and low.
Aria walked away without an answer, unable to look at her friend.
“Thank you for taking care of all of this,” Aria said, pushing a few items around to make room for her toiletry bag before zipping up her suitcase.
