One month later"Are you sure you want to get married in your own restaurant?" asked Rose as she arranged lavender flowers in the center of the guest table.Selena, who was grooming herself in front of the full-length mirror in the kitchen, smiled broadly. "This restaurant is where it all began, Rose. The place where I stood up again. Where I found true love. So yeah, why not?"Rose nodded slowly. "Okay."Selena looked at her own reflection. A simple white dress with no long tails, elegantly curled hair, and small ornaments in the ears. Not glamorous. But enough. Because she was no longer a woman who had to prove herself to anyone."I'm ready," she said firmly.***Dominic stood by the small altar in the backyard of the restaurant, surrounded by candles and vines. His ivory white suit fit his body perfectly. His hands were shaking slightly, but he never lost his smile.David came over, wearing a navy suit with a gray tie."I didn't expect you to get married, Dad," David said, offering
That night, David sat alone on the balcony of his apartment. In his hand is a half-drunk glass of red wine, but it's not the alcohol that makes his head heavy - it's his own thoughts.He had just returned from a culinary event where his father, Dominic, had made a public appearance for Selena. Selena's happy face when she saw Dominic... was vivid in her memory."He really loves her," David murmured softly, closing his eyes.His cell phone vibrated. A message from Lilian appeared:"We loved each other once, didn't we? But I hope you can forgive me-L"David deleted the message, then looked up at the sky. SORRY! CIH! Something that David can't even accept yet.Suddenly there was the sound of footsteps approaching. Dominic stood in the doorway of the balcony, still wearing his suit from the event."Why are you here?" asked David, half annoyed.Dominic sighed. "I just wanted to talk."David took a sip of his wine. "About Selena?"Dominic sat down in the chair next to him. "Yeah. I just wa
Two years laterIn a crowded but cozy corner of the city, stood a small rustic-modern restaurant called **"Selena's Hearth "**. The white wall paint, combined with large windows and hanging potted plants, made it look warm and welcoming. Inside, the aroma of coffee, spices and toast fills the air.Selena stood behind the counter, wearing a light brown apron. Her hair is shorter now, and there is a calm smile on her face. She was helping the barista staff organize the brunch offerings."Chef! That investor from Paris is asking about the franchise!" shouted Clara, Selena's manager, waving her cell phone.Selena gave a small smile. "Tell them I'm not interested in opening a branch overseas."Clara nodded. "Will do, Boss!"After Clara left, Selena took a deep breath. Yes, her dream had come true. The restaurant was busy, the reviews were good, and she was getting invitations to various culinary events. Selena took a small notebook from her apron pocket. Inside were scribbles of new menu
That morning, the entertainment world was rocked. Headlines everywhere carried one name: Lilian Monroe. Not because of her achievements or her latest fashion campaign, but because of a hot scandal that exploded to the surface-her affair with David Alexa Smith, the husband of Selena Vough.And who was the first to spill the beans? Selena herself, of course.In a small studio where independent podcasts are recorded, Selena sits in front of a microphone, wearing a black blazer, hair in a simple bun. Her eyes were sharp, no longer harboring fear.The podcaster, a young woman named Jo, looked at Selena with enthusiasm."Are you sure you want to discuss this here? On the live broadcast?"Selena nodded. "Of course. I've been silent for too long. Now it's time for everyone to know what's really going on."Jo signaled her team. The camera turned on, the microphone was activated, and the broadcast began."Welcome to a special episode of 'The Real Talk'. Today we have a trending guest, Selena Vo
Selena stood in the lobby of the luxury apartment building where David lived. Her hand trembled as she pressed the elevator button. Her breathing was deep, as if trying to quell the storm that had been rumbling inside her for so long.She looked at her reflection in the elevator mirror. Her face looked more resolute, although it still bore the scars of the dark story that had just passed. Her heart had not fully recovered, but today, she did not come to apologize, nor to explain. He came to end it all.The elevator doors opened. Selena stepped into the corridor, walking slowly. Every step felt heavy, but she knew it was for the best.A soft knock on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened. David stood there, hair disheveled, face tired. His gaze immediately caught Selena's."Selena," he said flatly."Hi," Selena replied hoarsely. "Can I come in?"David didn't speak, but made way. Selena stepped inside, standing in the middle of a living room that was so familiar, yet now felt u
A few days later, Dominic finally found Selena. He stood in front of Rose's small apartment, staring at the old wooden door with his hands clenched into fists. His breathing was heavy, his steps hesitant. But he had to do this.The door opened slowly, and on the threshold stood Selena.Dominic looked at her for a moment. "Hi."Selena gripped the side of the door. "How did you know I was here?""Rose."Selena gave a small nod. "Please come in."Dominic shook his head. "No, I'm not. I just want to talk."Selena stepped out, closing the door behind her."You okay?" asked Dominic finally.Selena gave him a long look. "I'm fine."Dominic nodded slowly. Silence surrounded them for a moment, "Selena, we should just end this relationship," Dominic said then.Selena swallowed. "Yes, we should end this relationship.""Selena, the truth is that I love you. But now everything is falling apart. David... he's my son. And you-""-his wife," Selena cut in, her voice barely audible."I thought you wer
Meanwhile, elsewhere, "I can't stand it, Rose... I'm so embarrassed..."Selena sobbed again in the corner of Rose's tiny apartment. The normally quiet white walls now echoed with her sobs. She hugged her knees, her face wet and swollen. Her body was wrapped in a shabby jacket that couldn't withstand the cold night.Rose, a friend who had known Selena's wounds from the beginning, sat next to her and offered her a tissue. "Len, please, don't stay like this. You have to be strong.""I... I've been bashed so much on social media, everywhere. Everyone said I was a slut. Because I've betrayed my husband, but I'm still sleeping with a hot widower!"Rose sighed, "Yeah, but you know what, out of all those comments, there's one thing that annoys me the most...""What?""Everyone believes you did it. Even though they don't know the real story. No one ever asked you how you got that way."Selena looked down. "Whatever the reason, Rose... I'm still wrong. I betrayed David.""You were wrong, yes.
There was a light rain that morning. The gray sky merged with the gloomy-looking skyscrapers. Dominic got out of the taxi with heavy steps. His long jacket was already wet from the drizzle, but he didn't care.His eyes swept the lobby of the hotel where David and Morena were staying temporarily in Manhattan. Earlier, he and his ex-wife had arranged to meet at this hotel. Morena had gotten information about her ex-husband since it went viral. Dominic's hand trembled slightly as he pressed the elevator button to the fifth floor. The door to the room opened.Morena opened it. Her body was weak, but her eyes immediately widened when she saw the man in the doorway."Dominic..." her voice was barely audible, like a long held breath.Dominic stared at her for a few seconds before nodding slowly. "Hello, how are you?"Without prompting, Morena hugged him. Her tears fell unceremoniously, soaking the man's shirt."Oh my God... I thought I'd never see you again," she sobbed.Dominic was silent.
Paris was still covered in a light mist when Selena grabbed her jacket and walked out of the hotel room with hurried steps. Her eyes were puffy, her breathing ragged. She didn't know where to go, but one thing was clear-she had to get away from this place. From Dominic. From everything.She walked down the sidewalk with chaotic steps, wiping away the tears that kept flowing. The world seemed to be chasing her. Every passer-by seemed to be looking at her, judging, sneering. But maybe it was just a reflection of her own guilt."Stupid... I'm stupid..." she muttered many times.Her cell phone kept vibrating in her pocket. I don't know how many dozens of incoming messages from David, even some journalists have begun to smell his trail. She didn't care.She just wanted to disappear.At the hospital, David was still sitting at his mother's bedside. His hand grasped Morena's cold hand, but it slowly began to warm up again.Morena opened her eyes, looking at David quietly."David," she whispe