Healing And Betrayal

Helena's beach house stood like a beacon of hope, nestled in the small coastal town miles away from her nearest neighbor. The charming cottage was surrounded by swaying dunes and wildflowers as if nature had conspired to create the perfect sanctuary for a wounded heart.

Helena sighed deeply, her eyes taking in every detail of her peaceful haven–the weathered wooden deck overlooking the ocean, the large French doors leading to the cozy living room, and the smell of saltwater lingering in the air. As she stepped into the warm sand, she allowed herself to savor the serenity that enveloped her like a healing balm.

"Helena," Gabby called out softly, gently touching her friend's shoulder. "I can't believe I've been able to treat myself like this. Living in your home is like a holiday every day."

"Me neither, Gabby," Helena replied, squeezing her best friend's hand in gratitude. "It feels like a lifetime since I've been home. When I was camping in the forest with Arthur, I lost track of time, but when he left. I missed going back here," she admitted.

"Forget about Arthur for now. There is the right time for both of you."

"Is there?" Her voice faded.

"Yes!" Gabby said with conviction. She has faith in Arthur's words. He will ensure Helena's safety before returning to San Antonio. "And besides, this is such a beautiful place. Let's enjoy what we have now."

"You can join me here if you want, but I know you can't stay here that long," Helena said with a mood change. "Knowing you love to party almost every night," she chuckled, teasing Gabby's lifestyle as a party animal.

"I'll make an exception with you. I won't leave you until you need me here. Besides, this is a long vacation I badly need, and the best person to spend it with is no other than you," Gabby exclaimed, hugging her best friend.

They are complete opposites, yet they go well as best friends. Gabby and Helena have been through too much in their years of friendship, and they always declare victory at the end.

As they made their way towards the beach house, Helena felt her thoughts drift towards her past–memories of love lost and the pain of Arthur leaving, still lingering like a stubborn stain on her soul. But amidst the turmoil of her emotions, there was also a glimmer of hope that perhaps she could find a way to heal and move forward with her life.

In the afternoon, Gabby finds Helena sunbathing, so she joyfully joins her best friend wearing her two-piece that covers almost nothing. As she looked at Helena, who was staring far, she knew what was in her head again.

"Hey, sexy! Can I join?"

"Sure! Look at you. Gabby, you're so hot."

"And so are you."

"Thank you, Gab. Enjoying the feel of the sun on my skin." She let out a deep sigh as she closed her eyes for a minute and allowed all the sensations surrounding her—the sounds of the crashing waves, the smell of salt water, the warm sand on her bare feet—to wash over her.

"How about we go for a short walk down this shore?" Gabby invited.

"That would be great. The sand feels nice on my feet as well. Let's go," Helena took Helena's hand. Silence dominated as they walked on the shore.

Gabby, ever perceptive, seemed to sense Helena's internal struggle. She spoke hesitantly, her voice infused with care. "You know, Helena, maybe it's time for you to consider getting professional help. Therapy has worked wonders for me, and I think it could benefit you too."

"Money's tight, Gab," Helena sighed, staring at the waves lapping against the shore. "And the idea of opening up to a stranger about... everything... It feels so daunting."

"I get that. But sometimes you must invest in yourself, including your mental health."

Helena's thoughts drifted to the novel she had been working on. She found solace in the fictional world she created, weaving her emotions into the lives of her characters. Every chapter brought her a slight sense of closure, though it never entirely filled the void left behind by her losses.

"By the way, have you made any progress on your book?" Gabby asked, sensing Helena's thoughts were elsewhere.

"Slowly but surely," Helena replied with a half-hearted smile. "It's helped me process some things, but I know it's not enough."

"Then maybe therapy could be the missing piece," Gabby suggested gently. "It doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can balance writing, talking to someone, and leaning on me when needed. And I can help you financially as well."

Helena paused, her footsteps sinking into the sand as she mulled over Gabby's suggestion. The idea of therapy was something she had considered before, but the thought of sharing her deepest vulnerabilities with a stranger had always been too daunting to seriously entertain. But with Gabby's support and encouragement, it was worth exploring.

"Maybe you're right, Gabby," Helena conceded, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I've been trying so hard to put the past behind me, but it keeps pulling me back in. Especially what Israel and I had. I feel like I was being unfair to Arthur and hurt him too. I knew he felt I hadn't moved on from Israel." Tears streamed down her face as she said the latter's name.

"Oh, Ellen, I'm sure Arthur understands what you went through." Gabby pulled her for a hug.

"Will you help me find a therapist?" Helena finally asked, her voice cracking slightly with vulnerability.

"Of course," Gabby reassured her.

"Thank you, Gabby," Helena whispered, her arms around Gabby as if it were an anchor to her emotions.

As they continued to walk on the shore, the sun casting long shadows and the smell of saltwater lingering in the air, Helena allowed herself to imagine a future where healing was possible. With her novel as an outlet for her emotions and Gabby's unwavering support, maybe—just maybe—she would find a way to move on from her past and embrace the life ahead.

In between writing her novel, Helena's heart ached for the love she had lost, Israel, and yearned for the one she had just found. Arthur Hendricks, the man who had unexpectedly swept her off her feet, seemed to be the perfect partner in her quest for a stable, loving relationship, but then again, it failed. She sipped her coffee and sighed, taking a break from writing and checking her social media.

"Maybe something is inspiring in my feed," Helena mused as she logged into her account.

It has been a long time since she used her social media account. She wants to check if there are any messages from her fans. However, the first thing to greet her once she opened the app was a photo of Arthur with another woman, Pamela. The accompanying article speculated about their romantic relationship, making Helena's stomach churn with fear of rejection.

She thought she had accepted that Arthur had returned to where he belonged and had to forget him, but she was far from it. She still thinks Arthur is hers. And seeing him with another woman feels like he betrayed her.

"No... this can't be true..." she whispered, her hands shaking as she scrolled through her feed, discovering more articles echoing the same statement. The hurt and betrayal intensified within her, her chest tightening as she gasped for air.