A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER XXXV

Andria was busy with her legal work, she still made it a point to check in with her best friend. They shared late-night talks, where Andria reminded her to focus on herself and not let Matteo’s distance affect her too much. One night, while staying at Isabella's apartment, Andria noticed her friend constantly checking her phone.

“Still nothing?” Andria asked gently, sipping her tea from the couch.

Isabella shook her head, eyes clouded with confusion and frustration. “I don’t understand. We were doing fine… better than fine, actually. And now? Just silence.”

Andria leaned in, her expression serious. “Listen, Bella, I know you care about him. But if he’s keeping secrets, or pulling away like this, it could mean something’s off. You need to protect yourself. You deserve someone who won’t keep you in the dark.”

Isabella nodded but was hesitant. She didn’t know what Matteo was hiding, but her heart told her to wait.

Andria stayed over her place keeping her company. Late at night, they found themselves on the couch watching an old movie. Isabella’s phone buzzed, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly grabbed it, but the disappointment was clear on her face when it wasn’t Matteo.

“You’ve got to stop doing this to yourself,” Andria remarked. “How long are you going to let him make you wait? Do you even know what he’s doing? I mean, Bella, do you know anything real about his world?”

Isabella sighed. “No, I don’t. But I can feel that there’s something he’s holding back. I just… I don’t know how to make him open up.”

Andria gave her a tight smile. “I’m here, okay? No matter what happens. You can always count on me.”

The two friends stayed up talking, with Isabella feeling grateful for Andria’s presence. Yet, deep down, she couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at her about Matteo, and the uncertainty of where their relationship was headed.

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Isabella was rushing through the hospital corridors when she almost collided with someone. Looking up, she froze for a moment. The familiar face standing in front of her stirred memories from years ago.

“Carter?” she whispered, almost not believing her eyes. He stood there, tall and confident, his sharp features unmistakable. There was an air of power around him now, something different from the young man she once knew in medical school.

He smiled at her, a slow, deliberate grin that hadn’t changed. “Isabella. It’s been a while.”

Her mind raced. She remembered Carter vividly. They had been friends back in medical school, sharing late-night study sessions, coffee breaks between classes, and the occasional playful debate about their future careers. Then one day, out of nowhere, he disappeared—dropped out without any explanation. She had never heard from him again, until now.

“What… what are you doing here?” she asked, still trying to process the shock.

Carter’s smile widened. “I had some business to take care of. And I thought I’d drop by to see an old friend.”

“Business?” Isabella raised an eyebrow. “Since when, Why did you leave medicine?”

He chuckled softly. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say I found other opportunities.”

Isabella felt a strange tension. Something about him was different now—calculated, almost cold.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me you were leaving? No calls, No message?” she asked, the question that had been on her mind since he left all those years ago.