4. Invitation to a party

AT THE SAME TIME

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

The door clicked shut behind me, and I found myself standing in her apartment for the first time. It was small, smaller than I could have imagined, but it was clean and organized in a way that screamed Isabella. A faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, and I could see little touches of her everywhere books stacked neatly on a shelf, a soft throw blanket draped over the couch, a mug with a chipped handle sitting on the counter.

She dropped her bag by the door and turned to face me, crossing her arms over her chest. The exhaustion in her eyes was even more evident under the harsh lighting.

"Well?" She started. "You said you had something to say. So say it."

I hesitated, suddenly unsure of where to start. I had rehearsed this so many times, but now that I was here, every word felt not right.

"I... I didn’t know." I said finally, my voice low. "I didn’t know you were living like this. That you were working yourself to the bone. Why didn’t you tell me?"

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head.

"Why would I? So you could swoop in and fix it? So you could feel better about yourself? I didn’t want your pity, Xavier."She said.

"It’s not pity." I said quickly, stepping closer. "It’s not that at all. I just... I didn’t realize how much I failed you. How much I didn’t see."I said.

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "You didn’t see because you didn’t want to, Xavier. You had your life, your world, and I was just... there. A convenience."She said."You never cared about me, only your 'first love'."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I couldn’t argue. She was right.

"I was wrong trating you like that I was blind, and I was selfish. But I’m here now, Isabella. I’m trying to be better."I said.

"Better?" she repeated, her voice rising slightly. "You think showing up here makes you better? You think saying you’re sorry changes anything?"

"No." I said, my voice firm. "I don’t think it changes anything. But it’s a start. And I’ll keep showing up, Isabella. I’ll keep trying, no matter how long it takes."I said.

She stared at me, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find some hint of deception. I was happy that she didn't kick me out moment I tried to talk to her.

"I don’t know if I can believe you, Xavier." She said quietly. "You’ve said things before. Promised things. And then nothing changed."She said."Don't act like you think i'll instantly forgive you."

"I know," I said, stepping closer. "And I don’t expect you to trust me overnight. But I’ll prove it to you."

She looked away, her gaze falling to the floor. For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator in the corner.

"You should go." She said finally, her voice barely audible.

I opened my mouth to argue, but the look in her eyes stopped me. She wasn’t angry anymore just tired. Tired of fighting, tired of me, tired of everything.

"Okay." I said softly, stepping back toward the door. "But I’m not giving up, Isabella. Not this time."

She didn’t respond, just turned away and started toward the couch. I hesitated for a moment, watching her, before finally stepping out into the hallway. As the door closed behind me, I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding. I had come here to make things right, but it was clear that it was going to take more than words it would take my actions to show her. The drive to my parents’ house was uneventful, but my mind was far from quiet. My mother had called earlier, insisting I come for dinner. Her tone was layered with something I couldn’t quite place, an excitement, maybe? Whatever it was, I had a bad feeling about it.

As I parked in the circular driveway, the sprawling mansion loomed in front of me, its pristine facade somehow feeling colder than usual. I stepped out of the car, straightened my jacket, and walked inside.

The sound of laughter and conversation greeted me, and as I entered the living room, I saw her. Ana. She turned toward me, her face lighting up with a smile that once would have sent my heart racing. Now, it only made me feel… nothing.

"Xavier." She said, her voice soft and melodic as she approached me.

I stiffened, my body instinctively taking a step back before I could stop myself. Her smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly, her hand brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It’s been so long." She said.

"Yes, it has." I replied, my tone leaving no room for further conversation.

Before she could say more, my grandmother’s voice rang out from the other side of the room.

"Xavier, come here, dear!" She called, her tone warm and commanding as always.

I made my way over, grateful for the escape. My grandmother sat in her favorite armchair, her sharp eyes watching me with a knowing glint.

"Your mother tells me you’ve been busy." She said, her tone teasing. "Too busy to visit your old grandmother?"

I smiled faintly, leaning down to kiss her cheek.

"Never too busy for you, Grandma."I said..

She chuckled, patting my cheek affectionately. Then her expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Isabella." She said suddenly.

My stomach tightened at the mention of her name. "What about her?" I asked carefully.

"I want her to come to my birthday party tomorrow." Grandma said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Call her and invite her."

"Grandma, I don’t think—"I started.

"Don’t argue with me, boy." She interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "She was always so kind to me. I miss her."

Before I could respond, she handed me her phone, already dialing Isabella’s number. I stared at it for a moment, the screen blinking up at me like a challenge.

"Fine." I muttered, taking the phone and stepping into the hallway for some privacy.

The phone rang twice before she picked up.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft, but cautious.

"It’s me." I said, clearing my throat. "My grandmother would like you to come to her birthday party tomorrow."

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Xavier, I don’t think-"She started.

"She insisted." I cut in, my voice firmer than I intended. "And you know how she gets when she insists on something."

She sighed, and for a moment, I thought she might refuse. But then she surprised me.

"Alright." She said finally. "I’ll come."

"Really?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

"Yes." She said, her tone resigned. "But only for her."

"Of course." I said quickly, trying to mask the relief in my voice.

We exchanged a few more words before she hung up, and I stood there for a moment, staring at the phone in my hand. She was coming. When I returned to the living room, my grandmother was beaming, and Ana was watching me with a curious expression.

"What’s that look for?" I asked her sharply.

"Oh, nothing." She said, her smile too sweet for me. "Just wondering what’s got you so worked up."

I ignored her, my thoughts already on tomorrow. Isabella was coming, and for reasons I couldn’t quite explain, it felt like the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for but desperately wanted. Nobody in our families knows about divorce papers, so I still have a chance to fix everything before they figure out what is happening between us.