Chapter 502 The Breakup
Isabella couldn't keep it in any longer and blurted out, "It was a gift from Fiorello."
Maggie had already suspected it, but hearing it still made her feel sick.
Isabella had always had a thing for Fiorello.
With a sharper tone, Maggie asked, "Why would he give you something so personal?"
Isabella's eyes darted around, her face turning beet red. "I..."
She was too embarrassed to explain how she got the handkerchief because it would reveal her secret crush on Fiorello and her wishful thinking.
The room suddenly got super awkward. Olivia chimed in, "Maggie, do you still not get what it means that Fiorello gave Isabella a handkerchief? You and Fiorello are divorced; you have nothing to do with each other anymore. Whoever Fiorello likes is none of your business. Besides, if Isabella marries into the Flores family, she'll still be your cousin, right?"
Maggie shot a cold stare at Isabella and then at Olivia. "Olivia, did you know about Isabella and Fiorello all along?"
Feeling cornered, Olivia forced a smile and said, "What's the big deal? People believe in free love these days. Isabella is single, Fiorello is single, and loving each other isn't a crime."
At that moment, Maggie finally saw the true colors of Isabella's family.
Maggie clutched the handkerchief tightly, her eyes piercing as she looked at Isabella. "When did you fall for him? Your Soulful Harbor Cafe was a dead giveaway that you were into Fiorello. At that time, we weren't even divorced yet; he was still my husband. Isabella, I treated you like family, and how did you repay me? You went after my husband. You're disgusting and hypocritical."
Isabella's face went pale, unable to meet Maggie's eyes. "Maggie, I..."
"Adalia, let's go." Maggie didn't want to stay a second longer and pulled Adalia to leave.
Isabella, losing her cool, suddenly shouted, "What's wrong with me loving Fiorello? Maggie, you can't control who I love. He's so wonderful; why can't I love him?"
Maggie stopped in her tracks, turned around, and looked at Isabella with a blank expression.
Isabella continued, "Loving him didn't interfere with you two at all. I didn't do anything to ruin your marriage. The state of your relationship with him today isn't because I love him. In my eight years of marriage with James, I never experienced being tenderly loved. That day at your house, I saw how gentle he was with you, how you two laughed and cooked together in the kitchen. I was so envious."
By the end, Isabella felt a sense of relief.
Her secret crush was finally out in the open. She didn't have to hide it anymore.
"So, it's still my fault." Maggie frowned and gave a self-deprecating smile. "Isabella, you fell in love with the Fiorello who was gentle and caring towards me. You're truly pitiful."
A light remark hit Isabella like a heavy blow.
Because Maggie was right; the Fiorello she loved was the one who was gentle and caring towards Maggie.
After divorcing Maggie, Fiorello was never as gentle as he used to be.
He was cold to everyone.
Maggie said no more and walked out of the private room with Adalia.
Arya hurried over and met Maggie in the hallway. Seeing Maggie heading out, Arya asked in confusion, "Maggie, where are you going? It's Olivia's birthday today."
"Mom, let's go home," Maggie said, "We'll talk at home."
Arya was puzzled. Olivia and Isabella chased after them, and Arya, still confused, smiled and handed over the gift she had prepared. "Olivia, happy birthday. I'm sorry I'm late."
Olivia, looking displeased, didn't accept the gift and said sarcastically, "Arya, you really raised a good daughter. She ruined my birthday. I invited you all here out of kindness, and look what happened."
"What happened?" Arya asked, bewildered, looking between Maggie and Olivia.
Maggie frowned. "Mom, we'll talk at home."
Adalia looked at Arya and said, "Grandma, Isabella likes my dad."
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