Seth woke to a quite room. He didn't want to look at her empty bed. He had knew she wouldn't say good bye. And maybe that was better. It was already ten o'clock, he slept longer than he wanted to. Zahra would be here soon, he couldn't even remember if she knew Isabella had been here with him. The last week had left like a dream.

….

"I am so glad we are home," Zahra announced as they walked in the house. Seth followed walking was still weird. He lowered himself on the couch. He was happy to be home, although he would have to be back in three weeks.

"My mom is coming over in a bit," Seth announced.

"She is not bringing the dogs over is she," Zahra puffed. Seth rubbed his face. He knew she was tired, he had to depend on her for almost everything. They had gone from being on the go, to stuck at home making doctor appointments.

"No," Seth answered, "she is bringing pizza."

"Is it just her, I don't feel like a house full of people. We just got home," Zahra stood in front of Seth.

"No, she just wants to see me," he let out a deep breath.

"I am taking a shower," Zahra went to grab his bag.

"Leave it," Seth waved his hand, "I'll get it." She shrugged taking her and her bag to the bedroom. He was hoping being home would help, they would settle in. They seemed so short with each other. He knew Zahra was pissed about Isabella being there. But that wasn't his doing. He wanted to call her, thank her. Maybe that wouldn't be right. And that was his problem with her, why did he have to reach out? She left without saying goodbye. He hadn't heard from her since. Seth groaned out loud in aggravation. He pulled his bag toward him, he started going through it. At the bottom under everything he felt something smooth. He pulled it out, a black leather journal.

Seth,

I really do wish you the best. Nothing happens by mistake. Use this as a lesson.

Redesign

Rebuild

Reclaim.

Now you have a little time I thought you may be able to write again.

Isabella

Seth closed the journal, he looked down at the tattoo on his wrist. He wanted to cry, he really hadn't since this started. There wasn't time, as always. But now he was looking at nothing but time.

….

The next months passed fast, Seth was demanded. Wrestlemania would be in Dallas and looking to be the largest yet. He had to be there, he was working the hardest he ever had. It allowed him to block a lot out.

"Tammy is coming in for New Years," Zahra said.

"Ok," Seth watched her as she sat next to him. "She staying here?"

"Yeah is that ok," her tone was short.

"Of course," Seth focused a smile. The last months had been down right miserable. Seth didn't want to be home, he didn't want to be around Zahra, he didn't want to be around anyone. He use to wish for time off, he never realized what that meant. Being isolated, at first all his friends came to visit, but then life took over. People had jobs families, responsibilities.

"We have to go back to Orlando end of the month," Seth looked through his phone. "There a crossfit tournament,and I have to be."

"Seth I don't know if I am going," Zahra rolled her eyes. "I just sit there. I don't really want to get back to full sail."

"I got your tickets," Seth through his hands up.

"You didn't ask," Zahra's voice was getting loud.

"You didn't ask about Tammy," Seth shout back.

"I am not doing this now. You are miserable," Zahra started to leave the room, "all about you." Seth didn't yell back, and didn't try to stop her.

…

"I am sure this is hard," Tammy said as Zahra wiped her eyes. "Why don't you take a trip?"

"We do," Zahra laughed, "we go to Alabama, for rehabbing, than to Orlando."

"I am sorry," Tammy answered.

"I just feel like I am hired help. I thought it would be different. It is like there is always something in the middle of us," Zahra closed her eyes. "I still can't believe they had her stay with him."

"You don't think," Tammy asked.

"No, honestly she won't and he couldn't," Zahra huffed. "But he is just different, and I don't think it is just everything with his knee."

"Well I am here, I get to see you kick some ass," Tammy grabbed her hands.

"Yeah," Zahra smiled. It was a rough patch all couples have them. Seth was going through a lot, she had to sopost him. He needed her. She just wanted to be more, feel more from him. Everyone said this wouldn't work. She was nothing to him, just a side piece. But he cared he came back. He saw how much she cared for him, what she would do for him.

….

Tammy waited in the guest room. Uncomfortable wasn't even close to how she felt. The whole night was tense and quite. Zahra trying because she was there. Anyone could see they were less than happy. "You got everything," Zahra stuck her head in.

"Yeah I am fine," Tammy nodded. "Thanks."

"Here let me give me give you an extra blanket, it gets cold in here," Zahra opened to closet reached up for the extra blankets. She stepped back as the blankets slide down.

"Oh,"Tammy bent down," you dropped this." She came up holding a small gift bag. Zahra tucked the blanket under her arm, reaching for the bag. "Zahra do you know what that is?"

"A bag," Zahra almost laughed.

"A bag from a jeweler," Tammy whispered. Zahra's eyes widen as she peered in the bag. She pulled a small black box. "Zahra," Tammy jumped up and down. She opened it and a simple diamond on a platinum band sparkled. She stopped, it wasn't really her. Very traditional and simple. But it was clearly an engagement ring. "That's pretty big," Tammy could see disappointment on her face.

"I should put it back," Zahra closed the box. Something was off, that ring was nothing she would like. That bag had to be in there for awhile. Neither came in that room. Tammy eyes widen as she saw Seth standing in the doorway. Zahra couldn't hide the bag, and wasn't sure what to say. "Look what I found," she smiled holding the bag up. Seth swallowed hard.

"Hmm," he couldn't speak. "Where."

"I think, I will let you two talk," Tammy walked past Zahra patting her shoulder. What she thought was something happy and exciting, was clearly not that.

"This wasn't for me," Zahra looked down, she knew before he answered. The dreaded feeling that none of this was hers. Not this house, not this life and now clearly not Srth's heart.

"I forgot," Seth closed his eyes. He had planned to asked Isabella when she moved in. He was going to place it on her pillow. He knew she didn't want a big deal. She loved simple, she said they meant more. It was when you caught the little things. Simple looks, simple moments. That how you knew people were paying attention.

"Why am I here," Zahra looked at Seth.

"Zahra," Seth walked toward her.

"I gave up everything for you. I lost my contract because of you. I moved away from everyone, lost friends, people's respect."

"I didn't," Seth started, he knew there would be a laundry list of things.

"No, you never, and you can't," Zahra cried, it was never his fault. He couldn't publicly stand up for her. He barely admitted they were dating, "everything is about you. Your career, your image, your house, your money! Everyone takes a back seat. We are all here to make sure Seth is comfortable! I am the ass. I am the whore, the home wrecker!" He didn't respond, "why did you come back? After her why?" Seth didn't answer, "cause you thought I would jump? You couldn't be alone? What, you wanted shove up everyone's ass! I can't believe what I gave up for you!"

"I never asked," Seth shook his head.

"No," Zahra yelled," you just expect it!"

…..

Seth zipped his bag, he had called his brother asking for a ride to his mom's. He heard someone coming from the bedroom. Tammy had come in try and calm Zahra. They had been in there for over a hour. "I am going to my mom's," Seth said as he saw Tammy walking toward the kitchen. "The car is here," Tammy nodded.

"Seth I don't know you well," Tammy started, "but Zahra has spent her whole life trying to prove she was worth something. She was loved, she meant something to someone. She doesn't make the best decisions because of that. When she loves someone she puts everything into." Seth knew that Zahra loved him, or thought she did. She loved what she knew of him. She loved Seth Rollins and everything that came with him. She believed in some way she won, he chose her.

"Sorry," Seth was, he was sorry it had gotten to this. Sorry he had let it go on with her. Maybe he did it because he really didn't want to be alone. He wanted to show everyone he didn't care, what they thought. Some came from guilt, he knew the world blamed her for ruining his engagement. And maybe because Zahra was so different from Isabella. Yes they both had, had a rough childhood, and life had been hard. But what they had both done with that was different. He was just sorry he had taken advantage of it.

…

"Good god," Seth brother shook his head, as Seth told the story as to why he was on his mother's couch. "Why did you keep it?"

"I forgot about it," that answer didn't even convince him. "A lot has been going on since."

"Yeah," his brother laughed, "you never got over her. She was definitely the one."

"It didn't work out," Seth didn't want to do this.

"Seth it took seven year for you to ask Leighla. You were looking at rings six months in with Isabella."

"I was in a different spot with Leighla," Seth pointed out.

"Ok," his brother nodded, "but you never cheated on Isabella."

"Well no," Seth pulled his head back.

"Because you really loved her. All your other girlfriend you messed around on. You had other girls before you got caught by Leighla. But Isabella grabbed you. She really was your everything." Seth rubbed his hair. He never realized it till his brother pointed it out. He wasn't trying to hurt anyone it just happened. He told himself no one would know, he was on the road, it was just sex, he was lonely, as long as he went home to them. But with Isabella he didn't see other girls. Yes they still tried, but that only seemed to remind him how much he loved her. And how much she loved him. "I mean you have been talking to that blonde for how many weeks?" Seth was shocked, how did his brother find out. "Small town dude." Seth had met her through friends. She was a powerlifter. She was strong physically and mentally. She had discipline, she did her own thing.

"We talk about crossfit," Seth defended himself.

"And you were just talking to Zahra about wrestling," his brother cut in.

"Yeah," Seth almost laughed, "I don't know why I keep doing this."

"Being alone has always been hard for you," his brother answered.

"Maybe," Seth answered quickly. This was all too much. Too much too think about. He needed to focus on his recovery. He didn't have time for people who didn't understand that. Didn't understand what it took physically and mentally. Maybe it was time to redesign a lot more than his wrestling career.

...

Zahra felt her heart pound as age heard Seth come through the door. She listened as she heard him move through the house. He walked into the bedroom not saying anything. "I am not coming back from Florida. The only reason I am going is you bought the tickets. I have friends who are picking me up from the airport." Seth sat on the bed with his back to her.

"I," Seth glanced over his shoulder.

"Don't, don't say you are sorry," Zahra held her hand to her mouth trying to hold back sobs. "Just stay away from me til we leave." She got up leaving Seth alone. He looked around the room, she had already started packing. He already made his mind up, this would be a new beginning. There was nothing to fight over. This had been over for awhile, this was just the separation part. He wasn't sure if he ever was completely in this relationship. His bag set at his feet, he leaned over feeling for the journal Isabella had left him. He opened it and reached for a pen.