Torn Between

chapter 31: Finding Strength After Betrayal

Iris stalking the social media account of Esther Frances Siaotong...

Iris: Scrolling through Esther Frances Siaotong's social media account, her heart sinks with each photo she sees of Frances and Axel together.

Iris: Whispers to herself, disbelief clouding her thoughts. How could I have been so blind? Axel and Frances... they look so happy together.

Iris: Tears well up in her eyes as she clicks through the pictures, her mind flooded with memories of her moments with Axel.

Iris: Thoughts racing, feeling a mix of betrayal and heartache. Was he lying to me this whole time? Did he ever truly care about me?

Iris: A sense of emptiness washes over her as she realizes the depth of Axel's connection with Frances, captured in every shared smile and affectionate gesture.

Iris: Unable to tear her eyes away from the screen, her emotions swirling in turmoil. How could I have been so foolish? I thought he was the one I could trust, the one who would always be there for me.

Iris: Clutching her phone tightly, a surge of anger rising within her. How could he betray me like this? And Frances... she knew about us, yet she flaunted their relationship for the world to see.

Iris: Taking a deep breath, trying to compose herself amidst the storm of emotions. I deserve better than this. I won't let their betrayal define me. I'll find the strength to move on, even if it feels impossible right now.

Iris: With a heavy heart, she closes the app, determined to focus on rebuilding her life without Axel and the painful memories he left behind.

Iris: (sighs heavily) Okay, Iris, breathe. You're in a tough spot right now, but you've been through tough spots before. You can handle this.

Iris: (placing a hand on her chest) Remember that feeling, when your tummy expanded? That's life, Iris. That's hope. You're still here, still breathing, still fighting.

Iris: (wiping away tears) Yes, it hurts. It feels like the world is crashing down around you. But remember all the times you've overcome challenges in the past. You're stronger than you think.

Iris: (taking a deep breath) It's okay to feel pain, frustration, and sadness. Let yourself feel it, but don't let it consume you. You're more than your pain. You're resilient, courageous, and capable of healing.

Iris: (looking in the mirror) You're not alone, Iris. You have yourself. You have your inner strength, your resilience, your spirit. And you have people who care about you, who want to see you happy and whole.

Iris: (smiling weakly) It's not going to be easy, but you can do this. One step at a time. Reach out for help when you need it, lean on your support system, and believe in yourself. You're going to get through this, Iris. You're going to be okay.

Iris: Alright, time to regroup. Axel's out of the picture, and I can't force someone to be faithful if they don't want to be. It's time to focus on me.

Iris: First things first, I need to take care of myself. That means prioritizing my mental and emotional well-being. Maybe some therapy sessions could help sort through all this mess.

Iris: Next, I need to surround myself with positive influences. Friends, family, and people who genuinely care about me and want to see me thrive. No more toxic relationships.

Iris: As for my future, I need to set some goals. What do I want to achieve? Where do I see myself in a year, five years, ten years? Time to start mapping out my path forward.