Daniel didn't come home that day. He called me in the evening.
"Isabella is divorced now," he said. "She finally sees that scumbag for what he is. You both were victims of all this, and she wanted to invite you to dinner."
I wanted to refuse, but Isabella took the phone.
"Jessica, don't turn me down," she said. "Look, you're married to a good man. You're not holding a grudge about me taking your ex-fiancé, right? Now I'm just like you, a victim. Doesn't that make us friends?"
I didn't respond, and Daniel got impatient. "Come on. It's just a meal."
Finally, I agreed. "Alright."
I figured this was all Isabella's idea. She wanted to provoke me face-to-face, but I didn't fear her.
As soon as I arrived, Daniel stood up and trotted over.
Before I could say anything, he explained eagerly, "Don't misunderstand. I got to know Isabella at work. She has been running her own company and has business dealings with me."
He paused and added, "I knew things between you two were complicated, so I didn't tell you before. Don't be mad at me, okay?"
He lied so naturally. I wondered how many times he had practiced it.
I nodded in acknowledgement and followed him to the table. Ever since I arrived, Isabella had been eyeing me with a triumphant smile.
Without hesitation, Daniel sat down beside her and across from me. Under the table, his hand rested on her thigh.
I was still processing it when Isabella spoke up. "Mrs. Smith, you're lucky enough to get rid of a scumbag early and end up with a good man. It's envious."
She placed a hand on Daniel's chest, and he stiffened.
But when he realized I wasn't reacting, he relaxed.
"Thanks. You're amazing, too," he said smoothly. "Running companies requires talent. Jess doesn't have that."
His words hurt me deeply.
Even if he didn't love me, he had never belittled me like that. Now, just to praise Isabella, he was willing to tear me down.
I thought about how I used to speak so highly of him. That was only because I loved him.
Isabella smiled knowingly and placed a glass of wine in front of me.
"Let's drink and forget the past," she proposed.
I didn't take it, which annoyed Daniel. He tapped the table and urged me, "Just take it."
I looked up at him, realizing he had forgotten everything when Isabella was around.
The last time I had a sip of alcohol, I had an allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital.
Daniel had panicked so much that he dragged a doctor out of bed in the middle of the night to treat me. Now he no longer cared.
His patience wore thin, and he sulked, "Bella only wants to make friends with you. How can you be so rude?"
I took the glass with a smirk and tossed it off.
It was fine. Anyway, I would be leaving him tomorrow.
Once the wine went down my throat, my head started to spin. Before passing out, I heard their conversation.
"She really can't handle alcohol, huh?" Isabella snorted. "Let's not mind her and go on with our meal."
I wondered if Daniel would just listen to her and ignore my situation.
