For Better And For Worse
Chapter 82

University.

This morning, Yves meets Stella at university. She wasn’t in the mood, she was very sad. They step aside to talk.

Yves: what’s happening to you Stella, are you really sad?

Stella (crying): I’m sorry Yves, I… I have to be honest with you. Did I sleep with him?

Yves: what, when?

Stella: yesterday, after you left, he came and… and I don’t know what happened, I couldn’t control myself… I’m sorry.

Yves: no, but Stella, this guy dumped you to get back with his ex, don’t you see how humiliating that is? How did you manage to sleep with him?

Stella: I’m sorry Yves and I would understand if you don’t want me anymore.

Yves: how do you think you’ll forget it if you don’t make an effort to forget it?

Stella: I think the only way to forget him is to die.

Yves: no, no don’t say that, don’t think about that. I’m here and I’ll help you forget it. Come here !

He hugs her then takes out his handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Stella: thank you Yves, thank you for always being there for me.

Yves: it’s out of love.

Stella: a love that I don’t deserve.

Yves: don’t worry, it will come.

Stella: Thank you.

They each return to their classrooms. At noon, they finish classes and Stella goes home. Isabelle leaves the hospital to visit her and spend some time with her. They tell each other about their lives since their separation and Isabelle sympathizes with her and comforts her.

Isabelle: it will be difficult for you to forget Célestin but with the help of Yves and time, you will be able to forget him and rebuild your life.

Stella: I hope so because I’m really suffering a lot.

Isabelle: I know how it feels, but it’s going to be okay even if it must be hard for you to forget him now that you slept with him.

She hugs her.

A little later, she returns to the hospital and leaves her. Fortunately, Yves came to pick her up to go for a walk in town.

Yves: we’re going to the amusement park, you’re going to relax a little and forget everything that’s making you suffer.

Stella: Thank you.

Célestin’s home.

This evening, Séraphin puts away all his things and goes down to the living room.

Célestin: hey bro, where are you going like that?

Séraphin: I’m going home.

Célestin: at home?

Séraphin: yes, I found a rental house and I have already paid 6 months in advance so I am going to move in there.

Célestin: but why did you do that, is this house big enough?

Séraphin: I know but I had to, Clarisse doesn’t visit me anymore because Mélanie is here, I’m not really free anymore, you understand?

Célestin: very good, then good luck, and I hope you will take me to see your house later?

Séraphin: yes, yes of course, I have to.

Célestin: thank you my brother.

They k**s and he leaves. Mélanie comes down from the bedroom.

Mélanie: darling, why don’t we go get some fresh air with the child?

Célestin: where do you want us to go?

Mélanie: at the amusement park for example, it’s a magnificent place for children and even for us.

Célestin: that’s a good idea, I also need to clear my mind a little. I get dressed and we go.

He goes to get dressed and they go to the amusement park.

Amusement park.

Yves and Stella have a good time together. They play different games in the park. For a moment, Stella really forgot all her worries and seemed happy but that didn’t last. Now she sees Célestin’s car from a distance, her smile disappears and the joy gradually fades from her face. Yves notices it too.

Yves: what’s wrong so suddenly my darling?

She doesn’t say anything. Yves looks around and sees Célestin getting out of his car with Mélanie and their baby.

Yves: I see, if you want, we can change location?

Stella: no, I have to cope. We continue to play.

They continue to play but Stella doesn’t fail to glance over from time to time. She sees them playing happy couple with their baby, she gets angry.

Stella: no but this guy is making fun of me. He tells me he loves me but he is very happy with this woman.

She gets up and goes towards them, Yves follows her to try to stop her. Stella arrives nearby when Célestin sees her. So he turns to her. She comes and gives him a good slap. He places his hand on his cheek.

Stella: you’re just a liar and a profiteer, I hate you.

She starts to cry and Yves comes to grab her, and hugs her while looking at Célestin. He takes her back with him.

Célestin: we’re going home, I don’t want to play anymore.

Mélanie: what, we’re not going to cancel our evening because of her?

Célestin: I said let’s go home.

So they return home, Stella and Yves as well.

Séverin’s home.

Isabelle comes home from work and goes to change in the bedroom then goes to the kitchen. She makes omelettes which she puts in a bun with mayonnaise and she eats. After that, the doorbell rings and she goes to open it. The guard was going to do it but she told him to leave it. She opens and it was her father.

Bruno: good evening my darling.

Isabelle: what do you want?

Bruno: discuss.

Isabelle: There’s no point. Actually, I want you to know Dad, I don’t hate you. You are like that, it’s your nature and there’s nothing we can do about it so know that I don’t blame you, at least not anymore. I forgive you for everything, sincerely. But only, between you and me it’s over and I’m very serious. I don’t want you as a father anymore so don’t come to my house, don’t call me, don’t text me. Forget that you have a girl in your life please, thank you.

She closes the door and goes back inside. Séverin arrives and finds his father-in-law outside. The Guardian opens the portal and they both enter. Isabelle ignores them and goes to her room. They themselves remain there to discuss. Séverin goes to the kitchen but there is nothing as usual. He brings two bottles of beer which he drinks with his father-in-law and the latter comes home a little later. After he leaves, he goes into the kitchen to make something to eat. Night falls and he joins his wife in the bedroom to make love but she still refuses. So he goes out, takes his car and goes to Claire’s house.

Hector’s home.

Séverin knocks and Claire comes to open the door.

Séverin: good evening Claire.

Claire: good evening Séverin, it’s been a while.

Séverin: I know. Is your father there?

Claire: He just came out.

Séverin: ok, can I come in?

So she lets him in and gives him a drink then she sits down to talk.

Claire: So, is everything going well in your home?

Séverin: no it’s not okay, it’s not okay at all.

Claire: What’s wrong?

Séverin: we’ve been married for a month but my wife refuses to prepare, she doesn’t even welcome me when I come home from work, she doesn’t even give me a k**s when she leaves for work and the worst part everything, she refuses to make love with me. But again it’s less serious. Worst of all are her pregnancy tantrums. The other day, she woke me up at 11 p.m. to tell me she wanted to eat a mango. I tortured and tortured myself again to finally find her a mango which she refused to eat saying that I lasted so long that she didn’t want it anymore. I swear to you I wanted to kill this woman. I should never have married him.

She bursts out laughing.

Séverin: does that make you laugh?

Claire: but wait, why does that surprise you? It’s not like she married you for love? And besides, why are you telling me all this?

Séverin: because I have no one else to talk to about my marital problems.

Claire: I sympathize, that’s what a home is like without love, that’s what it’s like when the love is not reciprocal. And now that you’ve told me all this, what do you want me to do?

Séverin: nothing, I just needed someone to talk to. Thank you for having me and listening.

He gets up to leave.

Claire: wait!

She gets up and approaches him. She looks him straight in the eyes.

Severin: what?

She k****s him directly on the lips and Séverin joins in. He picks her up and takes her to the bedroom where they make love.

Séverin: phew, that feels good! I think we should do it more often.

Claire: your wife doesn’t know what she’s missing.

Séverin: thank you Claire, you saved my life, I needed it.

Claire: Turns out I do too.

Séverin: well, I have to go home before your father comes back.

Claire: ok, I’ll take you home.

So she takes him home and he returns home but his wife doesn’t even ask him where he comes from. He bids her good night and returns to his room to rest.

Stella’s home.

That night, Stella can’t sleep. She thinks back to Célestin, to that sweet moment they spent together the other day. She wanted to call him but she was still hesitant. Luckily for her, she receives a message from him.

Célestin: Hi Stella, I’ve been thinking about you so much that I can’t sleep. Please, I’m in front of your house, come and open the door.

She gets up hastily and goes to the door then she grimaces her face before opening.

Célestin: hello!

Stella: what time is it?

Célestin: 10 p.m.

Stella: and what are you doing at my house at this hour?

Célestin: I don’t know, I had to see you.

Stella: Alright, you saw me so goodbye.

She wanted to close the door but he blocked it with his hand and entered.

Célestin: Please don’t reject me, I love you Stella and I’m sincere. Please don’t reject me.

He k****s her and she couldn’t resist. He picks her up and closes the door then takes her to the bedroom where they make love.

Stella: what’s happening to us?

Célestin: I don’t know, I only know one thing.

Stella: what?

Célestin: I can’t live without you.

Stella: we hurt each other for nothing Célestin. You and I have no future together. I think it’s better that we stop with this and really forget about ourselves.

Célestin: is this what you want, is this really what you want?

Stella: yes, I have decided now.

Célestin: then I will respect your decision.

Stella: goodbye my love!

Célestin: goodbye darling!

They hug and she walks him to the door. They k**s one last time on the lips and Célestin returns home at midnight.