An Unforgiving Love

Chapter 6- Feeling Hopeful

As Lucas pushed through another set of push-ups, the muscles in his arms flexed under the strain, and he could feel the sweat glistening on his skin. The home gym felt like his sanctuary, a place where he could channel his frustrations and clear his mind. He was lost in the rhythm of his workout, envisioning Bella’s smile and the promise of what could be, when the sound of a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

He paused, annoyance bubbling up inside him as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Who could it be? As he moved toward the door, a sinking feeling settled in his stomach when he opened it to see her—his ex, standing there with an anxious expression, clearly trying to summon the right words.

“Lucas,” she began, her voice wavering. “I just wanted to talk. Can I come in?”

He clenched his jaw, anger flaring at the sight of her. The memories of betrayal surged back, and he felt a cold wave of resolve wash over him. “No. You need to leave,” he said firmly, not bothering to hide his disdain.

“Please, just hear me out. I know I messed up. I want to make amends,” she pleaded, stepping closer to the threshold.

Lucas shook his head, taking a step back. “You’re deleted from my life. You had your chance, and you blew it. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

Her face fell, but he stood his ground, the weight of his decision firm in his chest. He had fought too hard to regain his sense of self and move on. He wasn’t going to let her in again, not even for a moment.

“I’m sorry, Lucas,” she said, her voice tinged with desperation.

“Sorry isn’t enough,” he replied coldly. “Just go.” He closed the door, shutting out the past that had haunted him for too long.

As he turned back to the gym, his heart raced, but this time it wasn’t with anger—it was with clarity. He was ready to embrace his future with Bella, free from the shadows of his past. With renewed determination, he returned to his workout, channeling all of his energy into the weights, knowing he had made the right choice.

After his workout, he was about to make breakfast when he received a text from Belle inviting him over to have breakfast. She had work in the evening and wanted to enjoy the morning.

After Lucas finished his workout, he felt invigorated and ready to tackle the day. Just as he was about to start making breakfast, his phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up and smiled when he saw Bella's name on the screen.

**"Hey Lucas! Want to come over for breakfast? I’ve got something special planned for you. :)”**

His heart skipped a beat. Bella had a way of brightening his day with just a few words. He quickly typed back a reply, agreeing to come over.

Once he arrived at Bella's place, he was greeted by the delicious aroma of something cooking in the kitchen. As he stepped inside, he could see her bustling around, her hair tied back and a playful smile on her face.

“Good morning, handsome!” she said cheerfully, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the stove.

“Morning! Smells amazing in here,” he replied, taking a deep breath to savor the scents of herbs and spices wafting through the air.

Bella had prepared a fancy Italian breakfast: fluffy frittatas filled with fresh vegetables and herbs, golden-brown croissants, and crispy bacon. On the counter, a vibrant pitcher of freshly blended mango juice gleamed in the sunlight. But that wasn’t all—he spotted a plate of warm cookies cooling on the counter, their sweet aroma wafting over to him.

“I couldn’t resist baking some cookies,” Bella said with a wink. “I figured you’d appreciate a little treat.”

Lucas chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through him. “You know me too well,” he replied as he watched her set the table. The sight of her in the kitchen, so comfortable and happy, filled him with a sense of contentment he hadn’t realized he’d been missing.