Echos of the past

Chapter 71

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the small chicken coop as Isla and Clark worked side by side, tending to the chickens. The clucking of the birds and the soft rustle of hay were comforting sounds, but an underlying tension lingered in the air. Clark had been quiet for most of the morning, and Isla could sense that something was weighing on his mind.

As they collected eggs and refilled the feeders, Clark finally broke the silence. "Isla, we need to talk about Teddy."

Isla sighed, setting down the basket of eggs she had gathered. She had known this conversation was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier. "What about him?"

Clark leaned against the wooden fence, his expression serious. "His jealousy. The way he looks at you, the things he says... It's driving me crazy. I don't want to keep fighting with him, but I also can't stand the thought of him trying to come between us."

Isla felt a surge of frustration. She wiped her hands on her jeans and turned to face Clark, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and exhaustion. "I'm sick of it too, Clark. I'm sick of the constant fighting, the drama, and the tension. I'm not some prize to be won between you and Teddy."

Clark's expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand, but Isla stepped back, needing space to express her feelings. "Isla, I love you. I'm not trying to fight with him just for the sake of it. I just want to protect what we have."

"I understand that, Clark," Isla said, her voice trembling with emotion. "But it feels like every time Teddy is around, you’re ready to pick a fight. It's exhausting, and it's making me feel like I'm just a pawn in this ongoing battle."

Clark's shoulders slumped, and he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Isla. I never wanted you to feel that way. I just... I can't stand the thought of losing you to him."

Isla shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "But that's just it, Clark. I'm not a possession to be fought over. I'm a person with my own thoughts and feelings. And right now, I need you to respect that and trust me. Trust that I'm with you because I want to be, not because you won some fight."

Clark's eyes were filled with regret and sadness. "I do trust you, Isla. I just don’t know how to deal with Teddy's constant presence and his attempts to get between us."

"Then we need to find a way to deal with it that doesn’t involve fighting," Isla said firmly. "Because if all you're going to do is pick fights with Teddy, then I don't want to be with you. I can't live my life in a constant state of conflict."

Clark looked stricken, and he took a deep breath, clearly trying to find the right words. "Isla, I don’t want to lose you. I promise I'll try to handle things differently. I just need you to be patient with me."

Isla softened, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I’m willing to work on this with you, Clark. But we need to set some boundaries and find a healthier way to deal with Teddy. I can’t keep living like this."

Clark nodded, relief washing over his features. "I understand. And I’m sorry for making you feel like you're caught in the middle. I’ll do better."

Isla stepped closer, finally taking his hand in hers. "Thank you, Clark. I love you, and I want us to be happy together. But we both need to work on this."

Clark squeezed her hand gently. "I love you too, Isla. We'll figure this out together."

They stood there for a moment, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the coop and the chickens clucking contentedly around them. Isla felt a sense of hope and determination. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with open communication and a willingness to work through their issues, she believed they could find a way to make their relationship stronger.

The morning chores continued in strained silence after Isla and Clark’s heartfelt conversation. They had just finished feeding the chickens and were collecting the last of the eggs when Clark, unable to hold back any longer, spoke up again.

“You know, Isla, it’s not just about fighting. It’s about the way Teddy constantly checks you out. It’s like he’s always undressing you with his eyes,” Clark said, his voice tinged with frustration and jealousy.

Isla stopped in her tracks, feeling a surge of anger rise within her. She turned to face Clark, her eyes blazing. “Enough, Clark. I’ve had enough of this! This constant jealousy, the accusations, the fights—I can’t take it anymore. You need to leave.”

Clark looked stunned. “Leave? Isla, I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”

Isla shook her head, her voice firm. “No, Clark. We’re done. I can’t be with someone who only wants to pick fights and doesn’t trust me. We’re no longer dating.”

Clark’s face darkened, and he took a step closer, his grip on her arm tightening. “Isla, you’re mine. I’m not leaving, and I’m not losing you to Teddy. I lost you once, but I will never lose you again.”

Isla felt a wave of fear wash over her as she struggled to free herself from his grasp. “Clark, let go of me. You’re scaring me.”

Clark’s eyes were wild with desperation and possessiveness. “I love you, Isla. You can’t just end this. We belong together.”

Panic surged through Isla as she tried to pull away. “Clark, please. You’re hurting me. Let me go.”

Realizing the fear in her eyes, Clark’s grip loosened, and he stepped back, a look of horror and regret crossing his face. “Isla, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Tears streamed down Isla’s cheeks as she backed away, her voice trembling. “This isn’t love, Clark. This is obsession. I can’t do this anymore. Please, just leave.”

Clark stood there, his shoulders slumped, looking broken. “Isla, please. I’m so sorry. I just... I can’t lose you.”

Isla took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “You already have, Clark. This has to end. I need you to respect my decision and leave.”

Clark looked like he was about to say something, but then he saw the resolve in Isla’s eyes. He nodded slowly, his face etched with pain and regret. “Okay, Isla. I’ll go. But please know that I love you, and I never meant to hurt you.”

As Clark walked away, Isla felt a mixture of relief and sadness. She watched him go, knowing that ending their relationship was the right decision. She couldn’t continue living in a state of constant conflict and fear.

She took a moment to compose herself before heading back to the cabin. The warmth and familiarity of her home were a welcome comfort. She sat down on the couch, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Isla’s heart skipped a beat, fearing it might be Clark returning. But when she opened the door, she found Henry standing there, his expression filled with concern.

“Isla, I saw Clark leaving in a hurry. Is everything okay?” Henry asked, his voice gentle.

Isla shook her head, tears welling up again. “No, Henry. It’s not. I had to break up with him. Things were getting out of control, and I couldn’t handle it anymore.”

Henry stepped inside and wrapped her in a comforting hug. “I’m sorry, Isla. You did what you had to do. It takes a lot of strength to make that kind of decision.”