Chapter 2: A Dinner Among Friends

The evening air was a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the office building, a blend of city grit and the faintest hint of approaching autumn. Isabella's heels clicked against the pavement, the sound a rhythmic counterpoint to the hum of traffic and the distant echo of laughter from a nearby bar. She moved with purpose, her gaze fixed ahead, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

Alex fell into step beside her, his presence as imposing as ever. He was a figure that commanded attention, his suit tailored to accentuate his broad shoulders and narrow waist, his stride confident and assured. Normally, Isabella would have taken his arm, would have leaned into him, seeking the comfort of his presence. But today, she kept her distance, her heart a fortress against the pain of his betrayal.

"Isabella," Alex began, his voice a low rumble that cut through the noise of the city. "It's Jason's birthday today. He's invited us for dinner."

Isabella paused, her breath catching in her throat. She turned to face him, her eyes searching his for any sign of remorse, any indication that he understood the gravity of what he had done. But his gaze was as cold and distant as ever, his expression unreadable.

"Sure," she replied, her voice a calm facade that belied the turmoil within.

They drove to the restaurant in silence, the air inside the car thick with unspoken words and lingering questions. Isabella rolled down the window, letting the wind whip through her hair, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors as they sped through the streets. The scent of jasmine wafted from Alex, a subtle reminder of Vivian's presence in his life. It was a scent that had once been pleasant, a scent she had associated with warmth and comfort. Now, it was a bitter reminder of the woman who had come between them.

On impulse, she asked, "Do you like the smell of jasmine?"

Alex's eyes flickered slightly, a brief flash of surprise before his expression smoothed into its usual mask of indifference. "It's okay," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Really?" Isabella murmured, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Then why have I always smelled this scent on you before?"

But she didn't press the issue. Instead, she turned her attention back to the cityscape, the lights and sounds a welcome distraction from the pain that threatened to overwhelm her.

They arrived at the hotel, a grand building that loomed over the street, its windows glowing like a thousand eyes watching their approach. Jason and Vivian were already waiting, their laughter dying down as they entered the private dining room.

"Good evening, Alex, Isabella," Vivian greeted, her surprise evident as she took in their joint arrival. "We've been waiting for you for a long time."

Isabella forced a smile, her gaze flicking from Vivian to Jason. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice steady. "I came in a hurry and didn't bring a gift."

Jason waved off her apology, his easygoing nature a stark contrast to the tension that hummed beneath the surface. "I've already given him a gift," he said, his smile warm and genuine. "You don't need to feel sorry."

Alex led her to the table, the remaining two seats arranged opposite each other. Isabella couldn't tell if it had been intentional, a subtle way to separate her from Alex and Vivian. She chose the seat opposite, her decision firm and resolute.

Alex's expression flickered with a hint of annoyance, but he said nothing, taking the seat next to Vivian. Isabella was acutely aware of the dynamics at play, the unspoken judgments and the subtle排斥 she had always felt from Alex's friends. They had never truly accepted her, their coldness a constant reminder of her place outside their tight-knit circle.

She had tried, in the beginning, to win them over with carefully chosen gifts and attentive gestures. But their disdain had been a constant, a barrier she had been unable to breach. Now, she saw it for what it was—a reflection of their true feelings towards her.

Dinner was a symphony of subtle jabs and forced laughter. Alex chatted with Jason and Vivian, his ease around them a stark contrast to the distance he had always maintained with Isabella. He peeled shrimp with deft fingers, a task he had always claimed was too troublesome, yet here he was, doing it without complaint for Vivian.

Isabella watched as he moved the plate of peeled shrimp in front of Vivian, his actions a silent declaration of his affection. It was a small gesture, one that spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for Vivian, feelings he had never shown towards Isabella.

The realization was a punch to the gut, a confirmation of what she had always suspected but had been too afraid to confront. She felt a pang of sadness, a sense of loss for what could have been, for the love she had hoped to receive but had been denied.

Jason, ever the perceptive one, noticed the tension. He nudged Alex, his voice teasing as he said, "Don't favor one over the other. Peel some shrimp for your girlfriend too."

Alex seemed to realize his oversight, his gaze flicking to the empty plate in front of Isabella. "Order another plate," he instructed.

"No," Isabella replied, her voice calm and steady. She took a sip of her drink, the cool liquid a contrast to the heat of her emotions. "I don't like shrimp."

"How about fish then?" Alex asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"I don't like it."

His surprise was evident, clearly not expecting her to refuse so readily.

Meeting his gaze, Isabella calmly wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "I don't like anything you said."

"Isabella, are you angry?" Vivian asked, her voice hesitant. "Why don't you eat this plate of shrimp? Please don't be angry with Alex."

But Isabella was beyond anger, beyond the petty jealousy and the hurt. She was at a crossroads, facing a decision that would change the course of her life. She looked at the three of them, their faces a blur of concern and confusion, and she knew that she could no longer be a part of this charade.

"I'm not angry," she said, her voice firm. "I'm just... done."

With that, she rose from the table, her chair scraping against the floor as she stood. She met Alex's gaze, her eyes filled with a resolve she had never felt before. "I can't do this anymore," she said, her voice echoing in the silent room.

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving the restaurant and the life she had known behind her.