Melissa turned off the television.
"Does she know?"
"No… I don't think so. Maybe she has suspicions. Nothing more."
"Are you sure?"
Ice nodded slowly.
"She wants to see me. Tomorrow. For coffee."
Melissa stood up abruptly.
"No way."
"Melissa…"
"No, Ice. You don't owe her anything. It's her husband who lied. Not you. Why would you go play nice with your ex's wife?"
Ice ran a trembling hand through her hair.
"I know. But… I have to go."
"Why?"
Ice looked at her, eyes shining.
"Because I don't want to run anymore. Because I don't want to be the hidden girl, the shameful secret. I didn't do anything wrong… so I don't see why I should hide."
Melissa sighed, softer now.
"You're scared."
"Yes."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"I'm scared of seeing the pain in her eyes… and telling her everything. I'm scared she'll hate me. I'm scared she'll be stronger than me.
But even so… I think it would be easier if I acted like nothing ever happened between Teddy and me."
Melissa stepped closer and held her face in her hands.
"Listen to me carefully. You are not the villain in this story. You were manipulated. You were loved halfway. You did not break that marriage."
Ice closed her eyes.
"But I was part of it…"
Silence settled between them.
Melissa pulled her into a hug.
"Then go see her. But not to punish yourself. Go to free yourself."
Ice stood still for a few seconds.
Then, almost in a whisper:
"What if Teddy is there?"
Melissa stiffened.
"If he's there, you leave. You owe that man nothing.
Bury the secret of that relationship if that's what you want… but do it for yourself. Not to protect him."
Ice nodded slowly.
"He told me he loved me…"
"Men say a lot of things when they feel like they're losing control," Melissa replied sharply.
Ice gave a sad smile.
"Do you remember the guy I met at the bar last night?"
Melissa raised an eyebrow.
"The one you went home with?"
A faint blush rose to Ice's cheeks.
"Don't say it like that… it sounds weird.
But yes, him. I don't even know his name. I don't have his number."
"And you'd like to see him again?"
Ice hesitated.
"I… I don't know. It's complicated. But I have to admit, he made me feel good. Really good."
Melissa smiled softly.
"Maybe that's exactly why you should see him again. Not to forget Teddy. But to remind yourself that you can feel something else."
Ice looked at her, surprised.
"What do you mean?"
"We're going back to that bar."
"No way."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to run into him again."
Melissa burst out laughing.
"Relax. There's very little chance he'll be there. And even if he is… you're not obligated to do anything."
Ice hesitated.
She still felt fragile. But less alone.
Melissa handed her a glass of water.
"Come on. Let's go out. It'll clear your head before tomorrow."
Ice took a deep breath.
"Okay… I'm coming."
And for the first time since Lora's call, a spark of adrenaline replaced the anxiety.
Tomorrow might be a verdict.
But tonight… was an escape.
The bar was livelier than the night before.
Music vibrated through the walls, laughter burst in waves, and the dim lighting gave the room that hazy atmosphere where anything seems possible… and without consequences.
Ice stood at the entrance for a few seconds.
Same place.
Same smell.
Same feeling in her stomach.
Melissa gently nudged her.
"Breathe. We're having one drink. Nothing more."
Ice nodded.
Nothing more.
They sat at the counter. Ice ordered a cocktail without really thinking. Her eyes, despite herself, scanned the room.
She wasn't looking for him.
Not really.
But her heart seemed to have a will of its own.
"Do you see him?" Melissa asked, tilting her head toward her.
"No."
And a part of her was almost disappointed.
The bartender set their drinks down. Ice brought hers to her lips. The alcohol burned slightly down her throat, warming something inside her.
"Are you still thinking about him?" Melissa asked.
Ice knew exactly who she meant.
"I don't even know his name."
"That wasn't the question."
Ice gave a faint smile.
"He was… simple. Not complicated. Not married."
"That's already progress."
Ice let out a soft amused breath despite herself.
Then, at the exact moment she began to relax…
She saw him.
On the other side of the room.
Leaning against the wall.
Bern.
Their eyes met.
And this time, it wasn't a drunken surprise.
It was clear. Sharp. Intentional.
He wasn't smiling.
He was looking at her as if he were wondering whether she was real.
Ice's heart suddenly raced.
"Melissa…"
"What?"
"He's here."
Melissa followed her gaze.
"Oh."
A pause.
"Okay. Plan A: we ignore him."
"And Plan B?"
"You go talk to him."
Ice swallowed hard.
Bern approached.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant either.
When he reached them, his eyes settled on her. Not on Melissa. On her.
"I was starting to think I imagined you."
His voice was calm. Deep. Steady.
Ice felt warmth rise to her cheeks.
"I could say the same thing."
A slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"So… can I get your name this time?"
A pause.
Then:
"Ice."
He nodded slowly.
"Bern."
Melissa stood up.
"I'm going to… leave you two."
"Melissa, no—"
"Yes. Have fun."
And she disappeared into the crowd.
Ice found herself alone with him.
No more excuses.
No more running.
"So…" Bern said, "did you come back for me?"
Ice held his gaze.
She could have lied.
Said no.
Said it was a coincidence.
But tonight, she was tired of lying.
"Maybe."
A more genuine smile spread across his face.
"That's already better than nothing."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Different from the one with Teddy.
Less heavy.
Less guilty.
"You seem distracted," Bern observed softly.
Ice hesitated.
Then, honestly:
"I have a meeting tomorrow with my ex's wife."
He didn't react immediately.
"That sounds… intense."
"It is."
He studied her for a moment, without judgment.
"Then tonight, we don't talk about her."
Ice blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Tonight, you breathe. You have a drink. You exist.
Tomorrow, you'll deal with the rest."
His words were simple.
But they affected her more than she expected.
She felt her shoulders relax slightly.
"Are you always this direct?"
"Only when it's necessary."
A pause.
Then, more quietly:
"I'm not a mandatory one-night stand, Ice.
We can just talk."
Her heart shifted strangely.
Less violent than passion.
More stable.
Maybe more dangerous.
She looked at him for a few seconds.
Then:
"Then let's talk."
And for the first time in days…
Ice didn't feel guilty.
Or hidden.
Or broken.
Just… present.
But somewhere else in the city, someone else was staring at a phone in the dark.
And tomorrow morning, over coffee, the truth would be waiting.