Moreno's (Moreno Brothers Series) - Elizabeth Reyes Page 0,63
arrow below the caption pointed at her belly.
What started as a scathing slap in the face was now a two-by-four slammed into her gut. Isabella could barely breathe much less speak. Alejandro introduced them to his wife, and somehow Isabella got through the introductions, but she hadn’t even caught her name, the droning buzz in her head was too loud.
He addressed Isabella, asking the obvious if she was working with Cido now. Her mouth opened, but she had no words. At first, she’d been glad when Cido came to her aid and happily answered for her.
“Yeah, isn’t it crazy how fate works?” Cido reached out and touched Isabella’s shoulder. “She got here over a year ago and was struggling to find a job. Then she happened upon one of our trucks, and I needed the help. Everything just fell into place, and now we’re living together.”
Despite Alejandro standing there holding his pregnant wife’s hand, the stunned, and dare she say hurt, expression wasn’t missed. Isabella suddenly felt the need to elaborate on what Cido had just said. He’d made it sound like she’d been living with Cido for over a year. That it’d been at least that long since she’d given up on finding Alejandro, and not only shamelessly shacked up with another guy, but she’d done so with his childhood best friend.
When in fact, up until the agonizing moments since his wife had rushed to him, Isabella had been having visions of jumping in his arms and telling him how much she still adored him. Except she still couldn’t bring herself to speak. She feared her voice would betray her, and the giant lump in her throat would give.
Isabella’s mother coming over to check on her then hugging her was perfect timing. She hid her face in her mother’s neckline as she took a few trembling breaths and wiped tears away.
Her mother pulled away, her very concerned eyes taking Isabella in. “Are you sure you’re okay, Mija?”
“Yes, yes,” she said, hugging her mom again in an attempt to gather herself. “I’m fine. I think it’s just finally hitting me. I was really scared.”
“I was about to run in and get you,” Cido said. “But Alej beat me to it.”
Pulling away again, her mother turned around, bringing her attention to Alejandro as if she’d just noticed him. “Alej?” Alejandro smiled with a nod. “Dios mio, Alej.” She smiled big, opening her arms to hug him.
Alejandro embraced her mother, saying it was nice to see her after all these years. As soon as her mom was done hugging him, she turned to Isabella with a big smile.
“He’s married now,” Cido informed her before she could say another word, then pointed at his wife. “With a baby on the way.”
Isabella’s mother’s smile flattened in obvious disappointment, but she recovered quickly when she realized his wife was standing right there, taking in her reaction.
Alejandro cleared his throat as his wife latched her arm into his and smiled. “This is my wife Carmela.”
Hearing him say it was like someone twisting the knife already lodged in Isabella’s heart. Her mother greeted Carmela, asked how far along she was—almost two months—then no doubt sensing Isabella’s tears had nothing to do with the fire, thanked Alejandro for running in to save her but mercifully excused herself and Isabella so she could go help her get cleaned up.
Over the years, Isabella had envisioned finally being reunited with Alejandro. In every instance, it’d been a blissful daydream: lots of hugs, and kisses and telling each other how much they’d missed and loved one another.
Not once had she ever imagined she’d be left numb and feeling like an empty shell. But that’s exactly how she’d felt even weeks after and she was sure a part of her would forever feel the emptiness knowing she’d once again lost the love of her life—for good this time.
Capítulo 17
The Pain of Sin
Alejandro
The weeks after the festival, Alej tried in vain to stop thinking about Isa. Everything about her. He knew he’d missed her but hadn’t realized just how profoundly until he saw her. Even as he’d begun to accept that he’d be spending the rest of his life and having a family with the wrong person, he’d never felt regret as he had in the months after their poignant reunion. As the days passed after the festival, he’d focused on something else instead. He still had ongoing thoughts of Isa but specifically, Isa and Cido living together now.