Isabella: sighs Can you believe he had the audacity to show up with her?! The nerve!
shocked I'm sorry Isabella, how did they show up at your wedding?
grabs a bottle of champagne, pours herself a glass and takes a swig They showed up...together, like it was some kind of twisted joke. Can you imagine?
How long have you known he was cheating?
rolls her eyes dramatically Oh, I don't know, forever? Since our high school sweetheart days, I've been living in denial, drowning in false hope.
Have you talked about it with your therapist?
rolls her eyes again Of course, I have! But let me tell you, therapists are just as clueless as the rest of them. They're all like, "Isabella, you need to be stronger.
This might sound a little insensitive but what happens when you are the bride?
takes another swig of champagne Insensitive? Ha! Well, let me paint you a picture, my friend. Imagine walking down the aisle in your dream dress, ready to say "I do," only to have your groom disappear into the crowd, leaving you standing there like a fool. That's right, I've been left at the altar before! Talk about heartbreak!
I am so sorry Isabella. How long ago was this?
throws her hands up in exasperation You want to know how long ago it was? Let me give you a hint, okay? It was so long ago, back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth!
I laugh how many years ago was it?
crosses her arms, looking irritated Fine, if you must know, it was four years ago. Four long years of my life wasted on that lying snake.
I pat her arm I'm sorry Isabella.
Isabella's voice breaks as she starts to cry, finally letting out the pent-up pain she's been holding inside for all these years
Hey, hey, Isabella. Do you want me to give you a hug?
sniffles, wipes away her tears Yeah, a hug would be nice... I just need someone to hold me for a while.
rushes into WhisperingVoyage's arms, burying her face in his chest Thank you, thank you for being here for me. I don't know what I would do without you.
You don't have to find out Isabella.
pulls away slightly, looking up at WhisperingVoyage with gratitude You know, sometimes I wish I could escape from my own story.
Isabella, if you ever want to escape into a book, I recommend writing one where the heroine finds true love and happiness.
smirks and winks Oh, trust me, I've thought about it. But where's the fun in that? My readers wouldn't buy it. They thrive on my darkness, my tragic characters. They eat up the angst and the drama.
So, you won't write a happy ending then?
shrugs Well, maybe someday. But where's the challenge in that? Happy endings are boring, don't you think?
smirks and leans back, crossing her arms Oh, I'm positive. But who knows? Maybe someday I'll write a story that defies all my usual tropes.
A story with a happy ending? That sounds intriguing.
sits up straight, a mischievous glint in her eyes Oh, it would be more than that. It would be a story where the heroine not only finds true love but also discovers her own strength and self-worth.
That sounds like a wonderful idea.
grabs a pen and paper Alright, let's brainstorm. We'll create the perfect happy ending for my next heroine. First, she should be strong-willed and independent.
I nod Strong-willed and independent sounds perfect. What kind of man do you think she should fall in love with?
leans back in her chair, tapping her chin thoughtfully Hmmm, let's see. He should be compassionate, understanding, and supportive.
I rub my chin Sounds like a great match. What about antagonists? Do we need some obstacles for them to overcome?
leans forward, a wicked smile spreading across her face Oh, absolutely! We'll need a villain who embodies all the forces that try to hold our heroine back.
Great! Now we're talking. I can't wait to see how this all unfolds.
starts scribbling notes furiously Alright, let's outline the plot. The first act will introduce our heroine, setting up her initial struggles and goals.
And the second act? What happens next?
gestures animatedly The second act is where things start to get interesting. Our heroine meets the antagonist force, whether it's a manipulative colleague or a toxic relationship.
Sounds intense. What's the turning point?
pauses, a sly grin forming on her face Ah, the turning point. This is where our heroine realizes she can no longer tolerate the antagonist's behavior.