Chapter 3

Isla POV

I could hear the whispers and see all the fingers pointing at me in accusation.

 They were judging me, looking at me like I was the one who did it, like I broke Lucinda’s gift to Auriela on purpose.

I stood frozen, my pulse hammering in my ears, my hands curling into fists at my sides. With each second I stood there, my anger rose, bubbling under my skin until my jaw ached from clenching it.

“It must have been an accident, Auriela,” Lucinda interjected, trying to ease the tension. Her voice was syrup-sweet, and underneath it I could almost hear her savoring every second. 

Although there was no proof, I was sure that Lucinda set me up. But why?

My eyes locked with Jaxon among the crowd and I already knew what exactly was running through his head–that bitch of a wife had embarrassed the family once again. He didn’t need to say it, his face already said enough.

I begged him with my eyes, silently pleading with him to step in, to say something–anything. But Jaxon only stared back at me, his jaw tight with disappointment.

“You broke my gift into pieces! Why on earth would you do this, Isla!” She roared. “It was sad enough that you didn’t get me a gift. But then you dared to do this!”

I shook my head, my eyes burning. “No, no no. I… I didn’t–” The words caught in my throat. 

I wanted to explain, to defend myself, to tell them that I had done nothing wrong, but I couldn’t seem to find the right words.

Who would believe me anyway?

Who would listen to me? Not the guests, not my husband, and definitely not Auriela who was looking at me like she wished the floor would just swallow me whole.

“Isla didn’t mean to break it, Auriela,” Lucinda interjected, moving to Auriela’s side to console her. “Accidents happen. Plus, I think Isla has proven herself to be quite clumsy today.”

“Accident!? This isn’t just any accident, Lucinda! Isla should have been more careful!” She yelled. “You didn’t get me anything for my birthday and you had to go ahead and destroy the one someone got for me.”

My throat closed up and I wanted to sink into the floor, to vanish completely. “I’m so sorry, Auriela. I really don’t know how it happened,” I managed to whisper, my voice barely audible.

“Just stay out of my goddamn way,” Auriela snapped, tossing the broken gift onto the table. “Gosh, I need to think.” She stormed out.

“Auriela, wait,” Lucinda called out, running after her.

“Unbelievable,” another guest muttered. “She can’t do anything right.”

“Poor Auriela. Always being embarrassed by her daughter-in-law.”

Another chimed in, "She was  just a poor waitress before Jaxon married her, what would she know about fine things?"

“If only Jaxon had married someone of his class.”

“Someone like Lucinda. Such a beautiful girl.”

“Ahh those two were so inseparable back then.”

With every whisper, my shoulders curled in a little more, my arms wrapping around myself as if I could hold my own pieces together.

 I wiped the stray tears that had escaped my eyes, I refuse to give them the satisfaction of breaking me. But I was human, and I couldn't just stand there with hurtful stares and side comments. 

I turned away from the scene, wanting nothing more than to escape it all, wishing that the night would come to an end soon enough so that I could get home and finally breathe.

“Excuse me, I just need a moment,” I whispered to no one in particular.

I swallowed hard as I hurried to the kitchen, fighting back another set of tears that threatened to spill over. I needed to escape the chaos and the judgment even if it was just for a moment. 

I poured myself a glass of chilled water, hoping to calm how hot I felt inside. But no matter how much I tried to drown my shame, nothing changed. 

Why the hell was I ashamed? I did nothing wrong. But everyone thought otherwise, and there was nothing I could do to change their opinion. 

The door to the kitchen opened just then and Ethan walked in. He shut the door, smiling at me sadly as he approached.“Hey.” 

“Hi.”

“You good?’’ he asked, concerned.

“I promise Ethan, I didn’t break it. You have to–”

“I know Isla,” He said, leaning against the counter beside me. “I believe you. You are too kind -hearted to do something like that.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Well, everyone else out there would say otherwise.”

“Don't worry about that,” he said, waving it off. “They're just rich people looking for others to belittle for entertainment.”

“And one of those rich people happened to be my husband” I shook my head, pouring myself another glass of water.

He looked at me with so much sympathy–so much pity. I hate being pitied. “Look I know Jaxon acts like he doesn't care about you, but trust me he does,” he said. “Jaxon is just–”

I laughed, tears blurring my vision. “Don’t do that,” I said.

His brows furrowed.“Don’t do what?”

“Don’t make excuses for him. He hates me just like everyone out there does.”

“No he doesn’t. Jaxon is just–”

The door opened and a blonde lady poked her head in. “Ethan, Cherry needs your assistance.”

“I’m quite busy here, can’t you get someone else to help?”

“It's fine,” I said, “You can go.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.“Yeah. I'm good. Trust me, you can go.”

“Okay,” he said, finally. “Just don't let it get to you okay?”

“I know,” I smiled faintly. “Thank you.”

“Okay, see you around,” he said, shutting the door behind him.

 As soon as he left, I took a deep breath and stepped outside into the garden. The night air was chill and refreshing, just what I needed.

I leaned against the wall, trying to gather my thoughts. All I wanted to do was go home, curl up on my bed, and watch a horror movie just to feel something other than pity.

I wandered further into the garden, trying to shake off the weight of my emotions. As I walked, I heard a familiar voice nearby and my brows furrowed.

“I didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” I heard Jaxon say and I crept closer, curious. 

Who was he talking to? 

Another step forward and I could see them clearly. He was with Lucinda.

They were standing close– too close under the gazebo and her hand was intertwined with his while her head rested on his shoulder. They were smiling, the kind of smiles that spoke of shared memories– a past I knew nothing about. 

I sighed. I mean sure, I had a few secrets of my own… And for good reasons too. But this was just heartbreaking.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Lucinda said softly. “I missed this... being around you.”

My stomach dropped, and for a moment I couldn’t breathe.

“I missed it too,” Jaxon replied, his eyes on her. “We had something good, didn’t we?”

It felt like the ground had been pulled from beneath me. What the hell?

“I still think about those times,” Lucinda continued, her hand still resting on his arm. “We were so happy back then.”

Jaxon smiled, a genuine warm smile that I hadn’t seen in months. “Yeah, we were,” he said quietly. “ I’m so happy you came back, It's been the best months of my life.”

I took a step back, my chest caving in on itself. How could he? After everything we had been through?

I mistakenly stepped on a branch, and the sound of it snapping echoed loudly. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

Both Jaxon and Lucinda turned toward me. His eyes widened in shock, and Lucinda’s smile faltered.

“Isla?” Jaxon’s voice was filled with surprise, and maybe just a touch of guilt. “What are you doing out here?”