Chapter 5: A New Start

CHAPTER 5: A NEW START.

Isabelle ran fast, her breath running out, her heart beating fast like crazy, her bare feet slamming against the pavement as Richard’s furious shouts echoed behind her. She didn't want to look back,but she had to see if she was close, her heart dropped as she saw him actually closing in on her.

“ Isabelle, I told you before. You're mine and you can never get away from me.” His face was twisted with rage, his hand raised, ready to strike.

“No!” Isabelle cried out, her voice trembling with fear. Her chest rose up and down restlessly and her breathing became shallow and uneven. 

The sound of a soft knock on her door pulled her back to reality. Her eyes snapped open, her heart still pounding in her chest.

“Isabelle, dear,” Mrs. Aldric called gently from outside. “Are you alright?”

Isabelle sat up, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. “Y-yes,” she stammered, though her voice betrayed her unease.

  She had been staying with Mrs Aldric for about two weeks now without going out at all. Mrs Aldric wanted Isabelle to take a long rest even when she insisted on helping her. Isabelle had become used to Mrs Aldric like she was her daughter. Mrs Aldric now knew all about what happened to her before she reached the town too and had been taking care of her, especially because of her miscarriage. 

The door creaked open, and the kind older woman stepped inside, her face lined with concern. “You were crying out in your sleep. A nightmare?”

Isabelle nodded, her hands clutching the blanket. “It was about my husband,” she whispered. “I feel like he’s watching me, waiting for the right moment to find me. The nightmares keep coming. What if he's here?”

Mrs. Aldric’s face softened with sympathy. She crossed the room and sat beside Isabelle, patting her hand. “Ex-husband. He's your past, dear. You’re safe here. This town is peaceful, and the people are kind. No one will let harm come to you. He won't find you here. You need to find peace within yourself, so the nightmares can go away. You need to put your mind rest.”

“I want to believe that,” Isabelle said, her voice wavering.

“Let me show you how welcoming this town can be,” Mrs. Aldric said with a warm smile. “Come with me to the restaurant today. Helping out will keep your mind busy, and you’ll earn your stay too.”

Isabelle hesitated, but the older woman’s comforting presence was hard to resist. “Okay, I will.” she said finally.

As they stood to leave, Mrs. Aldric paused at the door. “Oh, one thing to note,” she added casually. “There’s a young man in town who likes to cause trouble. He’s the town chief’s son, and his father can’t control him. But don’t worry—he’s out of town right now.”

The words settled uneasily in Isabelle’s mind, but she followed Mrs. Aldric down the stairs.

---

The morning air was fresh and nice as they walked to the restaurant. Isabelle took in the unusual charm of the town—the cobblestone streets, the colorful storefronts, and the cheerful chatter of the townspeople.

When they arrived at the cozy little restaurant, Mrs. Aldric handed Isabelle an apron and guided her through the morning rush.

“Table four needs another serving of side dish,” Mrs. Aldric said, balancing a tray of food on the counter.

Isabelle nodded, grabbing the tray and heading to the table. The couple seated there smiled warmly at her.

“Are you new here?” the woman asked, her tone friendly.

“Yes,” Isabelle replied, placing the tray on their table carefully.

“Well, welcome! It’s rare for us to see new faces, especially someone as lovely as you,” the woman said with a kind smile.

Isabelle blushed, murmuring a soft thank-you before moving to the next table. The compliments continued throughout the morning, with locals and tourists alike commenting on her beauty and friendliness. At this point, Isabelle felt more free and alive. 

“She’s even prettier than your daughters, Mrs. Aldric,” one older gentleman joked.

Mrs. Aldric laughed heartily. “Don’t let my girls hear you say that!”

For the first time in what felt like forever, Isabelle found herself smiling—genuinely smiling. The warmth and kindness of the people around her were slowly chipping away at the walls she had built.

--

That evening, Isabelle and Mrs. Aldric sat at the small dining table, enjoying a simple meal. The day had been exhausting, but it had also been comforting.

As Isabelle started eating her food, the door suddenly yanked open with a loud bang. Mrs. Aldric groaned softly, muttering under her breath.

Isabelle turned to see a tall man standing in the doorway, his broad frame blocking the light. His unruly hair and the smug grin on his face immediately made her feel uneasy. 

“Good evening, ladies,” he said, stepping inside without invitation. His gaze landed on Isabelle, lingering for a moment too long. “So, you’re the new girl everyone’s talking about.”

Isabelle stiffened, her grip tightening on her fork.

“When did you get back? Just leave her alone, Dan,” Mrs. Aldric said sharply, standing up from the chair.

Dan ignored her, his eyes still fixed on Isabelle. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

Isabelle didn’t answer, her heart pounding in her chest as her gaze shifted from the man to Mrs Aldric who stood in defence. 

“She doesn’t want to talk to you,” Mrs. Aldric said, stepping between them. “And we’re closing up for the night.”

Dan smirked, leaning against the wall. “Relax, Mrs. Aldric. I just wanted to meet the famous beauty. No harm in that, is there?”

“There is, when you make people uncomfortable,” Mrs. Aldric shot back.

Dan straightened, his smile turning into a sly grin. “Fine, I don't want to interrupt your meal. I’ll be back, Isabelle. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

With that, he turned and sauntered out, leaving the door ajar.

Isabelle let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling. “Who was that?”

“Dan,” Mrs. Aldric said with a weary sigh. “The town chief’s son I told you about. He thinks he can do whatever he wants.”

“Will he come back?” Isabelle asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Mrs. Aldric reached out, squeezing her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry about him. You’re not alone, Isabelle. We’ll deal with him together. He just likes going around making others nervous.” 

But as the door creaked in the wind, Isabelle couldn’t shake the feeling that trouble had just walked into her life again.