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Isla

The drive to Dustfield was long and silent. Rain pelted the windshield, blurring streetlights into golden smears. My chest ached, and tears refused to stop. Every blink smeared them further, leaving streaks across my cheeks. My thoughts were a tangled mess of betrayal, fear, and curiosity.

After an hour and some minutes, I arrived at Sienna’s seaside home. I drove straight into the driveway, parked and proceeded to walk towards the door.

The door swung open before I could even knock. Sienna’s eyes went wide, taking in my soaked clothes, clinging hair, and shivering frame.

“Isla! Oh my God, come here!” She pulled me into a fierce hug, pressing me against her warm chest. I could feel the tremor in my body, my wet hair sticking to her sweater. “You’re freezing! Look at you! What happened out there?”

I didn’t answer, just let her guide me inside. She helped me peel off my drenched blazer, scolding softly, “God, you’re a mess. You need a shower. Now. Hot water. And after that, tea. What do you want? Lemon, ginger… or chamomile? Something to warm you from the inside.”

I nodded, my lips trembling. I could barely form words. She pulled me towards the bathroom, never letting go of my hand. Once I was in the bathroom, she left the faucet running, the steam and warmth enveloping me. I sank into the bath, letting the water chase away the cold, the fear, and the heartbreak.

Minutes later she arrived with the tea.

I took a sip, letting the warmth spread through my chest. My hands shook, and I felt tears brimming behind my eyes again. Sienna stood against the wall beside me, her hand brushing mine. “Okay, babe. Spill. What did he do this time to make you leave your job and run here?”

The question made the floodgates open. My voice was raw, shaking, as I whispered, “He… Silas… got married today.”

Sienna’s eyebrows shot up. “Silas? Got married?”

As if trying to piece my words together, Sienna froze mid-sip, her eyes narrowing. “Wait… what?”

I nodded, sniffling. “Yes. Today.”

She blinked, incredulous. “So… you’re telling me that the gig he helped you get, the big wedding event you were photographing—was his wedding?”

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat nearly choking me. “Yes… I… I had to cover the photos. I didn’t know… until it was too late.”

For a moment, Sienna’s face was blank. Then it cracked open in pure, unfiltered fury. Her hands flew up, fists clenching, her voice trembling with outrage.

“That dick head!” she spat. “You covered his wedding? And he… he… Don’t tell me you guys had sex this morning before he left the house?”

I flinched, but the words tumbled out anyway. “He… he almost… before the ceremony. I had to leave. I couldn’t—”

Sienna slammed her own tea cup down, the clatter echoing in the bathroom. “How dare he! How dare he do this to you! You didn’t deserve this. Not ever! That arrogant, selfish… dick!”

My face crumbled at those words…how could I not see this coming?

Her face softened slightly as she grabbed my hands again, holding them tight. “I’ve never liked him, Isla. From the very beginning. And now… now I see why. That man has no idea what it means to love anyone but himself.”

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “At first I thought maybe… maybe I was imagining things, you know my poor eye sight. But…even when I removed my glasses today…I saw the whole truth, my sight wasn't playing tricks on me, Sienna.”

Sienna shook her head, her voice low and dangerous, like she wanted to march into Seattle herself and give Silas a piece of her mind. “Truth? The truth is he’s a cheating, lying dick who’s lucky he got away with anything all these years. And he had the audacity to do this while marrying someone else? I swear, Isla, if I ever see him…”

I wiped my eyes, splashing water on my cheeks, trying to chase away the tears. “I get it, Sienna. Really. You’ve always been right. About everything. Maybe you’re even… jealous? That’s it, isn’t it?” I let a small, bitter laugh escape. “Maybe you never liked him because you wanted me for yourself.”

Her face froze for a fraction of a second before she softened. “Jealous? Isla… don’t be ridiculous. I’ve got nothing to do with him or you in that way. You don’t…That dick! I can’t believe he had the audacity! Who does that to someone they say they love?”

“I… I trusted him,” I whispered, voice breaking. “I can’t believe he could do something this cruel to me. I thought… I thought our love was forever. And now… now I’m just… nothing.”

“Nothing?” she hissed, fuming. “You’re everything, Isla! You’re amazing! And him? He’s… he’s a selfish, arrogant—ugh, I just want to—ugh!” She flailed dramatically, pacing back and forth. “I swear, if I ever set my eyes on him, I will make sure I knock all his teeth out…”

I tried to smile weakly through my tears. “Sienna… please. Just… Can we breathe for a second?”

She softened, coming over to sit beside the tub. “Okay, fine. Breathe. But you know what? You’re not alone, never alone with me. And that dick? He’s lost you. Can’t you see? You’re free. You don’t need him.”

We sat in silence for a few moments, the only sound the faint drip of water from the tap and the steam rising from the tea Sienna had poured. I let the warmth seep into me, feeling a fragile comfort in her presence.

Just as I was gathering the strength to continue, the low rumble of a car engine rolled into the driveway. My head snapped up, heart skipping a beat.

“Who?” I asked, wary. My eyes darted toward the window. From what I knew, Sienna’s parents were still in Michigan.

Sienna walked to the window, peering out with a small smile. “Zayne,” she said casually, almost mischievously. “He’s in town.”

I frowned at the name. “Zayne?”

“Oh, Sienna’s older brother,” I muttered under my breath. I’d never seen him before, but from the way Sienna had described him over the years, he wasn’t exactly… appealing. Always annoying, overbearing, a bit of a know-it-all. Honestly, I’d never cared enough to meet him.

Sienna smirked at me from the window. “Yep. That’s him. Don’t worry—you’ll meet him soon enough. Try not to roll your eyes too hard.”