FRANCESCA STRIKES

EMILIO

I sat at the bar, surrounded by girls vying for my attention. But I wasn't interested. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of Isabella. I couldn't believe I had lost her. I couldn't believe I had let her slip away.

I tossed back another drink, feeling the familiar burn in my chest. But it didn't dull the pain. Nothing seemed to dull the pain of losing Isabella.

I thought back to all the times I had taken her for granted. All the times I had ignored her, dismissed her feelings. I had never introduced her as my wife to anyone outside of my family. I had never given her the respect she deserved.

And now, she was gone. She was with someone else, smiling and laughing with him like she had never been with me.

I felt a wave of regret wash over me, followed by a pang of jealousy. Why had I let her go? Why had I not fought harder to keep her?