LOVE AFTER BETRAYAL

ached, Alex's betrayal felt different now-distant and subdued, like the echoes of a storm that had at last pas

nners, and slid into quiet times that told volumes. He coaxed me to share my dreams of event planning, a

in a golden glow, we were at a neighbourhood food festival. The scent of sizz

at the scene with sparkling eyes. "I

. "I reasoned you might find it interesting. I also

ow. "Are you challenging the chef at the h

g. "I would send that chef down in a heart

cos. Though every mouthful was a taste explosion, it was the times we spent together that set

ed at a stall serving freshly made churros. I bit, let the sweet treat mel

t me while grinning. Are

lanche my cheeks. True, I am. I

That you are smiling once more makes me h

that went beyond my recent grief. I turned to face him and l

dance behind his clear eyes. "I am, but I believe I still need some wor

turned out to be. "You don't have to have everything sorted right now," I sai

flooding his features. "I f

e throng. But among the jokes and memories, I couldn't get rid of the image of Alex prowl

ng, I leaned against the cool metal railing of the festival and gazed out at the city lights

enveloping me. You are not by yours

exciting, like a lifeline. "Do you ever feel as though we are a

u find someone who gets you, occasionally you have to grab hold and fo

e that calmed my gut. "I want to keep exploring this-us," I said, g

and alive, he said, reassuringly rubbing his fingers

tival vanishing into the background. It was a moment full of possibil

ice cut through the evening ai

gail

emerged from behind a couple of mutual friends. M

My voice a mix of surpris

sparkled with a force that made my heart skip. "I was looki

ichael, and I became suddenly d

, my voice harder than I

out as incredulity. Is t

ond that. I would appreciate it if you avoided making this

for Michael. His sensitivity helped me to see how far I ha

'm not here to cause trouble." "I wanted to chat to you.

onship with Michael. The weight of his presence reminded me of everything

ugh what happened did not happen. Frustra

said with a steady voice. "I want not to

gave me fortitude. "Alex, She is right. She deserves

ions. Alex's expression hardened, but there was a flutter of something-r

ilt chewing at him. You did inflict damage on Al

ld see he was realising this. "I ju

d, somewhat raising my voice. "You made yo

, but I felt release come over me. The chains of my p

d, desperation tapping into h

e words strike inside me,

ael's side for support. "I thin

rt in his company. He looked at me, a mix o

ady as I turned away from Alex,

and I left. I was lighter, freer. I had decided on a di

nd I knew, without a doubt, that I was ready to w