Chapter 36 #2
‘For the last time, it wasn’t a bloody affair! God, is all of this,’ Ariel flapped her arms about, ‘a way of punishing me for having feelings for someone else?’
‘Feelings?’ Gilly choked. Hearing it was a swift punch to the gut. Suspecting something was different to it being real. ‘You didn’t have sex with him, but there was an emotional connection?’
‘N-no.’ But Ariel’s face drained of colour as she replayed her words. ‘Argh. Fuck!’ she yelled.
The lounge picture rattled and fell off the wall with a crash and tinkle of broken glass, making them both jump. Huffing out a breath, Gilly ignored it. There’d be opportunity enough to tidy the mess up later.
Ariel didn’t even spare it a glance, shoulders slumping as her face crumpled in misery.
‘I’m so sorry. You and I weren’t in a good place, and he made me feel wanted.
It’s not an excuse. I just…’ Shrugging, she trailed off, before rallying.
‘I liked him, but if it’s any consolation, we only kissed a few times, and I never contacted him after he left.
Getting close to him was a mistake. Also, the feelings were more on his side—’
‘Kissed a few times?’ She felt sick, trying not to picture it.
‘I don’t even want to— Well, thanks for finally being honest and stopping the gaslighting.
I can’t believe you let someone get so close after everything we’ve gone through and meant to each other.
’ The surge of anger helped. It made things clearer and sharper.
‘For the record, no, breaking up isn’t a way of punishing you.
This has eroded the trust between us, but everything I’ve said is true. We don’t belong together anymore.’
‘Is this really what you want?’ Ariel stumbled off the stool, reaching for her. ‘Please don’t do this,’ she begged. ‘Not after everything we’ve shared.’
With an effort, Gilly pushed the angry betrayal aside. Today, she was choosing kindness, empathy and compassion. This woman had unquestionably hurt her, but they both deserved to be happy.
‘I have to.’ She sandwiched Ariel’s face between her palms. Kissing her softly on the mouth, just once, she stared into her green eyes.
Feeling the wrench of a person who’d been the centre of her universe for so long, leaving her life.
‘It’s not what I wanted, but it is what’s best, for both of us.
’ Her voice was steady, despite the pain and regret writhing along her nerve endings.
‘The night we got together, you were the most vibrant person I’d ever met, as if you had a light on inside you.
I’ve hated watching it dim over the past few years.
We need to free each other so we can move on.
I hope you get everything you want, and that light shines brightly again. ’
The ghost of a smile touched Ariel’s lips. ‘Support people to pursue their dreams? You’re not the only one who reads Albie’s messages remember.’
‘Don’t you mean Rose’s? I’ve been changed by them, and by this special place and the people. You have, too. Despite everything, I think you’re more giving than you were before.’
‘I’d like to think so, despite the hurt I’ve caused.
You’re being generous.’ Ariel stepped back, breaking the connection between them.
Straightening her spine, she visibly gathered her emotions, wiping her face with her sleeve and taking a deep breath.
‘Speaking of. I’m doing well with the paintings and want to donate to the restoration fund.
I know we’ve joint debts to pay off, but we can agree how to deal with those.
This feels more important. Send me the bank details?
’ Pausing, she smoothed her hand over their marble island countertop, as if memorising the texture.
‘I’ll leave tonight. I won’t be able to face everyone tomorrow.
But let them know about the money, and that I said goodbye?
I’ll send a removals firm for my stuff at some point. ’
‘I will.’ Gilly spoke from between numb lips. This was really happening. The wheels she’d set in motion were carrying Ariel away from her, all too quickly. ‘I won’t be able to immediately, but at some point, I’ll buy you out of this place. Rent the second bedroom to a lodger—’
‘I don’t want to think about all that yet. Can you please go out?’ Ariel interrupted tearfully. ‘I want to pack a few things and can’t with you here. It’ll be too difficult.’
‘O-of course,’ Gilly replied, throat aching. ‘I’ll go down to the village.’
In that moment, she understood why Peace Cottage was so apt for them. Sometimes you had to make peace with the fact some people were better apart, than together. You had to make peace with the way things were meant to be.
Sliding her feet back into her flats and opening the front door, she stopped and gazed at Ariel, taking in the tumbling brown hair and heart-shaped face.
Knowing without question this was the last time they’d see each other.
‘I’m sorry it’s ending like this. I-I wish you all the best. I’ll go to Kirsten’s. ’
Her ex-fiancée turned her anguished face away, sliding the diamond and emerald engagement ring off her finger and placing it on the counter with a clink. ‘I’m sorry too, for hurting you. I hope you’ll be happy too. Goodbye, Gee.’
‘Bye, Ariel.’ With tears streaming down her face, she backed into the hallway, the slam of the door holding a horrible finality.
When she returned two hours later, emotionally wrung out and a little drunk, the picture was hanging on the lounge wall with its glass restored as if it had never been broken.
Slumping on the sofa with a slightly hysterical laugh, she buried her tear-reddened face in the cushion.
If she did get a lodger for the second bedroom at some point, they were in for a surprise.
She only hoped it would make for more harmonious living arrangements.