Love with a twist

ier. The sun hung low. Streets glowed gold, but she felt nothing. Each step toward the apartm

s gone. Warmth was gone. Only irritation remained. Cold replies filled their conversations. Isabella told herself it was stress.

llway smelled different. Not the usual mix of soap and spices

ard it. Soft laughter. Careless. Intimate. Her steps faltered. The basket slipped sl

eart

ations. Maybe a cousin had visited. Maybe she was imagining it. May

hen he said he loved her. The way he held her hands. Promises that they would face life together. He ha

ssed. A woman sat on the bed. Posture relaxed. Expression amused. Beautiful in a deliberate

m fell

d so loudly she thought they could hear it. The basket slipped

allowe

Voice trembling. Lo

ot look ashamed. His face ha

?" he asked coolly. "

A broken laugh

," Isabella said. "And I find you with another w

ss. Stepped closer. Rested her h

aid softly. "S

e said withou

bella. A familiar ache rose. The pain

said quietly. "This

much. That has always be

ed her voice. Her thoughts. Now e

she asked quietly. "Because Jenn

ession d

into this," he snapped.

eyes to wha

humor. "To the truth.

len, her stepmother, standing over her. Harsh words. Cold eyes. She was useless. She would never

ought, Smith wa

" she said. "You u

ple change. Maybe you s

ckery in her eyes. Shame was

d. Voice stronger. "When your family looked do

our mistake

hit her li

you think you are

g. You and your poverty. Your sad sto

snapped. Pain har

re why you stand here cheating and

ped closer

," she said. Disbeli

I am done with

the bed. At the woman who seemed to belon

said. "I a

before they coul

trength faltered the moment it shut. Hands trembled as she leaned against

mory. A dress from their first anniversary. A shirt of his she bo

escaped her chest. Anger burned beneath the tears. Hot. Relentless. She was a

nated. Breath uneven. Heart pounded painfully.

was. Abandoned and broken. Gathering what little she

fell freely. Her body shook. Grief and fury tangled ins

ily. Pressed on. Hands trembling

lace had been home. Once. Now it was ruins. Every corn

er, mocking. She threw it into the bag. Folded the rest quickly. Her hand

othes. Her bag full. Heavy, just like her heart. She looked at herself in the mirror. Eyes red. Face str

Picked up the basket she had dropped in the hallway. Fruit still rolled across

She remembered the first time she had walked into this apartment

k once. The room was empty. Not really

oor behind her. Locked it. Key turned with

ed lower. Streets still glowed. She walked. Basket in hand. B

om him. Away from what she thought sh

t, she