A Forbidden Affair - Unexpected Encounter

It’s been two months now since she moved out.

She couldn’t handle the emotions she felt staying there.

So she left.

Richard didn’t come back that night or the next day.

And she didn’t wait.

Jayden tried to reach her, tried to call, text, and explain—but she refused him.

This time, she chose herself.

She needed to heal.

And to do that, she couldn’t stay in the same environment with either of them.

When she got back, she resigned from work. Everything that concerns Richard should be cut off.

No long explanation.

She just knew she needed a reset.

She started doing the things she always wanted to do.

She became a photographer—nothing too big yet, just capturing moments, random things that caught her eye.

Nature. People

She found peace behind the lens.

And she painted too.

Just for fun.

She also started therapy.

That was the hardest part.

Sitting down. Talking. Unpacking things she had buried for years.

But it helped.

And she noticed the changes.

She even joined a reading club.

At first, it felt awkward.

Now, it felt like home.

Chloe always kept in touch with her.

They had become more than friends—more like sisters.

Chloe was her backbone.

Always encouraging her to live life fully.

Pushing her to step out, to breathe, to exist beyond her past.

Whenever Lena went out and two or three guys approached her—

She turned them down immediately.

No hesitation.

She didn’t care how rude she came off.

The last thing on her mind now was love.

She felt it was a sham.

A beautiful lie that always ended the same way.

Even though her love life was a mess, she was still grateful she crossed paths with Richard and Jayden.

They taught her something.

Away from everything, she realized something important.

She had always been seeking love and attention.

And in the process—

She lost herself.

Now she was trying to find her way back.

She was in the bathtub, soaking in warm water, her body finally relaxed after a long day.

The silence was peaceful.

Until her phone rang.

She stretched her hand lazily and picked it up without checking.

“Hello,” she said softly.

“Hi, babes.”

She chuckled instantly.

Anytime she was on the phone with Chloe, something in her just… lifted.

She was the only person from her past Lena still held onto.

“I saw this site, and I decided to register you.”

“Hold on,” Lena cut in immediately, eyes narrowing. “If this is about dating, count me off.”

“Girl, it’s been what now? Two months already,” Chloe said. “You need to move on. Just because things didn’t work out before doesn’t mean it’ll stay like that forever.”

“Chloe, I’m not interested, okay,” Lena replied, already irritated. “I’m in the shower; I need to go.”

“Too late,” Chloe said quickly. “I already found your match.”

Lena paused.

“You’re going to love him. He ticks all your boxes.”

“Since when do you know my type of man?” Lena asked, amused despite herself.

“Girl, I know the size of your clothes.”

Lena burst out laughing. “You’re always troublesome.”

“And that’s why we’re besties,” Chloe said, giggling.

“So this guy—where does he stay? What does he even do?” Lena asked, curiosity slipping in.

“For your first question, he stays in Canada. I don’t know his occupation.”

Lena scoffed. “Of course you don’t.”

“But,” Chloe continued quickly, “I know his hobbies.”

“Oh God.”

“He’s a nerd. Like you.”

“Girl…” Lena said in disbelief.

“What? And also—you guys are meeting on Saturday.”

“Saturday? This Saturday?”

“Yesss,” Chloe dragged.

“You might as well plan my wedding,” Lena said dryly.

“What makes you think I haven’t? I just need a groom for you,” Chloe replied, laughing.

“You’re so unserious. Bye.”

She shook her head, smiling as she disconnected.

Later, she was scrolling through social media when she came across a familiar face.

She paused.

“Isn’t this Scarlett?” she muttered, squinting slightly.

Curious, she clicked on the page.

Scrolling through pictures—outfits, locations, and different aesthetics—one image stopped her completely.

Her breath caught.

Jayden.

He was wearing a sleeveless basketball jersey, the fit showing off his toned arms and easy strength.

His face had sharpened with time—clean lines, smooth skin, and that same smirk sitting on his lips like he knew exactly the effect he had.

He looked too good.

And she hated that it still affected her.

Her fingers tightened around her phone before she quickly turned it off and sank beneath the foamy water.

For a few seconds, she stayed there.

Still.

She strongly believed she had moved on.

But seeing him—

It did something to her.

Something she wasn’t ready to admit.

She came up for air, exhaling slowly.

Maybe Chloe was right.

 She needed to take her life seriously again.

And have fun.

She made a mental note to text Chloe after her bath—that she was ready for whatever date she was planning.

Just a trial.

Nothing serious.

If it didn’t work, she would opt out.

No harm.

After her bath, she got dressed and headed for her reading group.

It had become one of her favorite things.

She met them through her therapist.

He had suggested it.

Said she needed to do something she loved to rekindle her spark.

And it worked.

It really did.

When she arrived, something felt different.

They weren’t inside like usual.

They were all outside in the backyard.

There was laughter.

Music.

It felt like a small party.

Before she could process it, a voice called out.

“Oh, guys—Lena’s here!”

Mrs. Rosie.

The leader of the group.

A sweet, chubby woman in her fifties who had the kind of smile that lit up any room.

Lena smiled shyly, walking toward them.

“Hi,” she said.

“You came just in time,” Mrs. Rosie beamed. “We wanted to try something fun before we read today.”

“Okay, that’s good,” Lena replied, taking a seat.

“We have a new study partner in our midst,” George announced.

“He’s so nice.”

“And handsome,” Bella added, making everyone burst into laughter.

Lena smiled. “Where is he?”

“He went to get more olive oil,” someone replied. “The one we have isn’t enough.”

“Oh… okay,” Lena said.

She relaxed into the moment.

The laughter.

The teasing.

She smiled to herself, genuinely happy.

“Look, he’s here,” Mrs. Rosie said suddenly.

Lena raised her head.

And froze.

Jayden.

Walking in with a bag in his hand, a bright smile on his face.

He looked even better in person.

The picture hadn’t done him justice.

Her heart skipped.

Everything around her blurred for a second.

And then—

He saw her.

His steps slowed.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Like he didn’t believe what he was s

eeing.

He looked again.

And just like that, his smile faded.

Replaced with something deeper.

Hurt.

Regret.

The air shifted instantly.

And Lena felt it.