A Thousand Ways To Say I Love You

CHAPTER LX

Carter had been relentless in his pursuit of Isabella. He seemed to show up everywhere, a constant presence that made her feel trapped. He brought her coffee at the hospital, lingered in her office during breaks, and found reasons to visit her apartment, often bringing gifts and trying to engage her in conversations. But no matter how hard he tried, Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that her heart still belonged to Matteo.

Every time Carter smiled at her or complimented her, guilt gnawed at her insides. He was genuinely trying to make her feel better, but the thought of moving on was daunting. Each laugh he elicited from her was shadowed by memories of Matteo—their late-night conversations, the warmth of his embrace, and the way he could read her like no one else. As much as she appreciated Carter’s attention, it felt like a betrayal to her own feelings.

Andria, ever observant and protective, noticed the toll Carter's constant presence was taking on Isabella. Her friend was becoming increasingly reckless, skipping meals and losing sleep, caught in a cycle of emotional turmoil. Andria had tried to gently nudge her to reevaluate her situation, worried that Isabella was trying too hard to fill the void left by Matteo.

“Bella, you need to take care of yourself,” Andria urged one evening as they sat in Isabella's living room. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow around them, but the atmosphere felt heavy. “Carter is sweet, but you don’t have to force yourself to like him just because he’s there. If your heart isn’t in it, then you’re only going to hurt him and yourself.”

Isabella sighed, her gaze dropping to her hands. “I know, but he’s been so supportive. He listens to me when I talk about work, and he genuinely wants to help me move on. I feel bad rejecting him.”

“Rejecting him doesn’t make you a bad person. You can’t change how you feel just because he’s being nice. It’s okay to take time for yourself, especially when your heart is still healing from everything with Matteo,” Andria advised gently. “You need to figure out what you want, not what you think you should want.”

As Isabella listened to her friend, she felt a surge of emotions—confusion, guilt, and a deep longing for the past. “What if I never get over Matteo?” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if I’m stuck feeling this way forever?”

“You won’t be stuck. Healing takes time, and it’s different for everyone. Just give yourself the space to feel what you need to feel without worrying about anyone else,” Andria said, reaching out to squeeze Isabella's hand reassuringly.

“I just don’t want to hurt Carter. He’s been so good to me,” Isabella replied, her voice trembling slightly.

“I get that. But you’re not responsible for his feelings. You can’t force yourself to move on just because he’s making an effort. It’s not fair to either of you,” Andria reminded her.

The conversation left Isabella deep in thought. As much as she appreciated Carter’s attempts to win her over, she couldn’t ignore the truth: her heart still ached for Matteo. The realization was bittersweet. She knew she needed to confront her feelings and decide what she truly wanted before things spiraled further out of control.

Meanwhile, Carter was still determined to win Isabella over. He genuinely really like her. He was oblivious to the internal struggle she faced, believing that his efforts were bound to break down her defenses. He continued to shower her with attention, hoping each kind gesture would bring her closer to him. But little did he know that Isabella's heart remained guarded, held captive by the memories of a love that had shaped her in ways he couldn't comprehend.

---------------

Matteo stood outside Isabella's apartment, heart racing as he braced himself for what he knew would be a difficult conversation.