Broken Once Loved Twice

"Why are you dressed up like that, Elena?!"Raul spoke coldly from behind her, his face showing no emotion. At thirty, he was handsome enough to attract attention wherever he went, but his looks were always paired with a distant gaze. He never smiled, not even a little.This was how Elena had felt for the three years she had lived with Raul.They were bound by a marriage that neither of them had really chosen.Back then, Raul's grandmother met Elena while she was working at a clothing and accessories store. Elena was always patient and helpful with customers. No one expected the older woman to like Elena so much that she became determined to marry her off to her grandson, Raul Mendez."What? Marry that shop girl who looks old-fashioned and provincial? Sure, she's pretty, but... isn't there a more sophisticated woman out there?" Raul had said at the time.At first, he refused politely, then he became more direct. Still, his grandmother would not change her mind.In the end, Raul had to

Elena turned toward the source of the sound.A man sitting in a wheelchair smiled kindly at her.Under the bright city lights, his calm face was clearly visible.He seemed older than Raul, but there was still some handsomeness in his calm features. His eyes were steady and kind. Even sitting in a wheelchair, he gave off a quiet sense of authority.“Who are you, sir?” Elena asked in confusion.The man smiled and wheeled himself closer to Elena.“Is a name really that important?” he replied, his eyes turning to the star-filled sky. “Look at those stars—are their names important to them? They remain as they are, no matter what people call them.”Elena looked up too, almost without thinking. As she stared at the peaceful stars above, she felt herself relax a little.“The night sky is beautiful, calm, and peaceful with its stars. But why do you seem the opposite?”The man’s words snapped Elena out of her thoughts. She quickly looked away from the sky and met the stranger’s steady gaze.“I…

Mrs. Victoria stared at the object in her head housekeeper's hand. "A ring…?" she murmured, examining the diamond-studded ring closely. "It looks like Elena's ring.""Yes, Ma'am. That's Elena's wedding ring with Mr. Raul," Carmen replied quietly."How did you get it?" Mrs. Victoria asked in surprise.Quickly, Carmen explained how she found the ring.It began when she went back to Elena's room to bring her to the kitchen. Elena had been expected for a while but still hadn't shown up. Carmen thought Elena was asleep, so she entered the unlocked room. But no one was there.Carmen searched every corner of the room for Elena, but still couldn't find her. Then, by accident, she saw the ring lying on Elena's dressing table."Hmm, it seems Elena has left," Mrs. Victoria sighed, then turned to her son, who was starting to get drunk."Yes, Ma'am. And she didn't take anything with her.""Carmen, quickly take Raul to his room before he starts rambling nonsense," Mrs. Victoria said, worried as she