[In the Shadows of Love] ~ Pedri.Gonzalez

Chapter 11

Two weeks after the international break, Emily and Bella were in their hotel room in Madrid, packing their bags for the journey back to Barcelona. The room was filled with the rustling of clothes and the zipping of suitcases, but an underlying tension lingered in the air.

As Bella folded a shirt, she glanced at Emily, who was staring out the window, lost in thought. "You okay?" Bella asked gently.

Emily sighed, turning to face her friend. "I'm just dreading going back to Barcelona. Seeing Pedri after what happened... it's going to be so hard."

Bella nodded understandingly. "I know. What he said to you was beyond harsh. No one should have to go through that."

Emily's eyes welled up with unshed tears. "It's not just what he said, it's how he made me feel. Like I was nothing. I thought we had something special, but now..."

"Now it feels like it's all shattered," Bella finished for her, closing her suitcase and sitting beside Emily. "But remember, you're stronger than this. You don't need his validation."

Emily gave a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Bella. I know you're right, but it's still going to be tough. I just hope I can stay composed when I see him."

"You will," Bella assured her. "And if you need to talk or if it gets too overwhelming, you know I'm here for you."

Emily nodded, taking a deep breath. "I don't know what I'd do without you. This trip has been a good distraction, but reality is waiting for us back in Barcelona."

"True," Bella said, standing up and offering her hand to Emily. "But we face reality head-on. We'll get through this together."

Emily took Bella's hand, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "You're right. I can't let him control how I feel. I have to move forward, for my own sake."

As they finished packing and prepared to leave the hotel room, the weight of the upcoming confrontation still loomed large, but so did their resolve to face it with strength and support for one another.

As Emily and Bella waited for their flight at the Madrid airport, Bella nudged Emily. "Ems, you should post some pictures from our vacation. It'll be a nice distraction."

Emily nodded, opening her photo album. She selected a few favorite pictures to post .