Chapter 408 What to Eat for Lunch
"Actually, Sterling came back," Bella finally found the courage to spill her secret. Her voice was soft, but every word hit Isadora like a ton of bricks.
"Isadora, you know what? Last night, Sterling just showed up at my place, all beat up. My heart sank when I saw him like that. I couldn't just turn him away, you know? But now, it means we're gonna have to deal with each other again. I kept telling myself that unless he came to talk about the divorce, we were done. But everything that happened last night just shattered all my resolve."
"I get that taking care of him is the right thing to do, given our history, but I also know how messy this whole thing is. I'm scared I'll end up back in those painful memories. I'm terrified I'll start relying on him again and forget how hard it was to leave."
"Isadora, I really don't know what to do. I want to help him, but I'm afraid of getting hurt."
Bella's voice cracked as she spoke. She looked at Isadora, her eyes brimming with helplessness and confusion. Isadora gently patted her shoulder, her eyes full of understanding and concern.
"Bella, you did the right thing. You'd help a stranger, let alone Sterling, who was once your husband. I don't know what went down between you two or why he got hurt and came to you, but him choosing you in his most vulnerable moment probably means you're the most reliable person in his life. Relationships are complicated, and I can't make decisions for you. But one thing I can say for sure is that you should follow your heart. Ask yourself, if you truly don't love him anymore, then let go. But if there's still love, don't give up easily. Regret is a tough pill to swallow, and spending a lifetime trying to forget someone is too high a price and too painful."
Isadora's words were filled with deep comfort and understanding. She continued, "Bella, even if something happened between you two that seems impossible to fix, believe that every problem has a solution. Difficulties can always be overcome, and relationships are no exception. There's no obstacle that can't be crossed."
"Take me, for example. I've had moments where I felt like breaking down, so angry I wanted a divorce and to take the kids far away. But after calming down, I realized many things can be talked out and resolved. There's nothing that can't be forgiven if both parties are willing to work on the relationship."
"Of course, I'm not saying you should forgive everything or ignore your issues. I'm just saying don't give up on a relationship that might still have hope, and don't make impulsive decisions you'll regret. Give yourself and him some time and space to think, feel, and communicate. You might find that your problems aren't as bad as they seem, and you can still face the future together."
"Bella, I know you're a smart, rational woman. You'll make the best decision for yourself. Whatever you choose, we've got your back."
Bella couldn't really compare her situation to Isadora's, but Isadora shared her own experiences, mostly about family matters and dealing with in-laws.
Still, Bella felt more at ease after talking with Isadora. Even though Isadora did most of the talking, it unexpectedly lightened Bella's burden.
By noon, Bella was still worried about Sterling and wanted to check if he had left. So, she decided to head home.
When she opened the door, she was a bit surprised. The breakfast noodles were gone, and the dishes were cleaned up, indicating Sterling had come back after she left and even had the appetite to eat.
Bella's gaze instinctively turned towards the bedroom. The door was slightly open, and through the gap, she could see a figure lying on the bed. A surge of mixed emotions rose within her; she knew Sterling hadn't left.
At that moment, Bella's feelings were complicated. She felt a bit relieved that Sterling was still there, meaning he hadn't completely left her life, but also uneasy because their relationship had become delicate and complex again.
Bella stood quietly at the door, hesitating whether to check on him. Finally, she knocked on the door, "What do you want for lunch?"
Sterling lay on the bed, having anticipated Bella would come home at noon. He deliberately appeared weak, not moving, just waiting for her arrival. When Bella entered and saw him, he softly said, "Anything's fine."
Bella found some ingredients in the fridge. Despite her mixed feelings, she decided to make something simple. She silently prepared the meal, trying not to think about Sterling. When the food was ready, she set it on the table and left without lingering, heading straight back to the store.
Bella didn't know how to interact with Sterling, especially after everything that had happened. Their relationship had become awkward and delicate, and every interaction made her feel uneasy. So, she chose to avoid it, at least for now.
At the store, Bella busied herself, trying to numb her thoughts with work. However, whenever she had a moment of downtime, Sterling's image would involuntarily appear in her mind. She knew this relationship had left a deep mark on her heart, one that couldn't be easily erased.
Sterling sat at the table, facing the meal Bella had prepared, feeling a mix of emotions. To be honest, Bella's cooking wasn't great, and the food didn't taste particularly good to him.
However, he couldn't bear not to eat it because it was a rare connection between them, even if it was just through a not-so-tasty meal.
As he ate, Sterling's mind was in turmoil. He chewed the food while thinking about how to face Bella, how to explain why he was still there, and how they should move forward. These questions weighed heavily on his mind, making him feel overwhelmed.
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