YSABELLE *2 YEARS LATER*I got out of the conference room with a frown on my face as soon as the meeting ceased. My stilettos echoed in the hallway as I entered the elevator. When the door closes, I see my reflection through the elevator door.My eyes were empty and expressionless. It was as if I died deep inside, and this has been happening for two years now.Two years…Ronan was not on my side for two fucking years.Remembering our last seeing each other’s presence made the back of my eyes feel warm. I exit the elevator before someone else sees me showing emotions. Not here, of all places.I'm trying my best to be brave and endure the harsh reality of the world while handling all of Ronan's business. I've been the acting CEO for two years, taking over Ronan's position in the meantime– or not. Because two years was too long for not seeing him, not even just a glimpse of his hair.I entered his office and locked the door. His scent mixed with my scent invaded my nostrils.Not a da
YSABELLE As I entered the VIP room of the restaurant, the nervous smile of Jessica greeted me. She gained weight, but her awkward smile was still the same.“Hi.”I cleared my throat as I slowly reached the couch.“Hi, Jess.”I was surprised that she still had my number after not seeing or communicating for two years. But I was more surprised that she wanted to meet me.She got married yesterday, and that was all over the news. She should be on her honeymoon, not here with me.“You've changed.” She suddenly spoke. “I mean, you cut down your hair. It suits you.”A smile painted on my lips at her compliment.“Thanks.” I drink some water before clearing my throat again.“Congratulations on your marriage.”Her smile slowly faded, and she looked down on her fingers, fidgeting in her lap.I know what she felt.“You… didn't come.”My fingers tightened around the glass.She sent me an invitation card but I refused to attend her wedding.“Jessica, you know the situation.” “I was hoping you st
YSABELLE I hastily walk back and forth at the doorway, waiting for my husband to come home. His phone was turned off and his secretary said that Ronan left the company before sunset. Worries delved into me that it was already midnight, but still, he hadn't returned home. The food is already cold and I'm starving but I don't have an appetite because my anxiety grew as time passed by. What if something bad happened to him? The ring on my finger suddenly fell on the floor. I immediately picked it up before it went too far. I let out a devastating sigh while I was removing the dirt from the ring. The ring might have come off easily because I lost too much weight. I heard a crash from a distance that distracted me. I ran towards the gate and saw Ronan’s car crashing at the steel gate. I hope he's alright! “A-Are you okay?” I worriedly asked as he got out of the car, staggering. The crash didn't cause much damage, though. He ignored my presence as he walked past me. Since he did
YSABELLE I am in the bathtub in my room, naked and feeling lost, to wash away the events that had saddened my soul. My heart and whole body were crushed by the numbness I experienced last night. I choked back my tears and ran my fingers, devastatingly, through my hair. Candice and the DNA test report. What could that mean? I didn't let my curiosity kill the cats. I only saw the upper part of the paper. I'm afraid to see whose DNA test results those papers belong to. But I should not overthink unless he will open up about it first. As I bit my lower lip and gazed at my frail figure, my heart ached. I stared at the gray bruises on my thigh, particularly on my wrists. He had just eaten me up last night. My entire body was covered in evidence. I never would have imagined letting him do this to me. I was consumed with my feelings and let him do whatever made him happy. Is love always like this? Is loving someone as painful as this? Unbidden tears welled up in my eyes. Why
YSABELLE‘WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DIE AND LEAVE ME ALONE?’Those words crushed my heart and soul. It was beyond painful. It was as if a big car passed over my whole body again and again due to the extreme pain I was feeling. But I didn't say anything and tried to smile.I forced myself to stand even though my whole body was going limp from his painful words.Was that what Ronan really wished for me? I don't know anymore. I wanted to think that he was just tired from work, and then I added to his headache.He only stared at me. Rage was evident through his eyes until he looked away himself.I immediately left the kitchen until I reached the gate, walking under the full moon alone but not knowing where I was really going.I wanted to cry from the pain inside, but no tears came out of my eyes. As if they are also scared to be noticed by anyone and think I'm too pitiful by crying alone while bracing for the pain.And this is the painful cry of all. I can not express the pain I'm feeling through
YSABELLE“What the fuck are you doing here?!” Ronan firmly shouted at me.I was slightly surprised when he shouted, but still, my smile didn't disappear from my lips.Good thing there aren't too many people around. If there are, it's pretty far from where we are.“I came here just to bring you the invitation,” I answered calmly and showed him the invitation card I was carrying all along. “I thought… I thought you can't come in without it.”His jaw clenched in rage. “Really? Is that really your reason? Don't make me a fool, Belle!” I saw how his veins almost erupted from his neck as his gaze darkened at me. “I'm not an idiot like you to believe your lame reasons! You came here to embarrass me!!”My fingers tightly grasp the card as I'm trying to hold back the tears. I was nothing but a burden and a pest in his life.I tried to reach his hand but he moved it away. “N-No, Ronan, it isn't like that–”He suddenly grabbed my arm and took me to the corner where no one could see us or hear us.
YSABELLEMy whole body trembles as I stare at the woman who smirks as if enjoying someone seeing her naked. Or she's enjoying it because I'm the one who's seen them both.My swollen eyes welled up with tears… again.“Can't you knock?!”I flinched and awoke at Ronan’s shout, loud and firm.He was now wearing his trousers while the woman remained on the bed, having a good life. Isn't she ashamed of what she did? I was baffled by how brave she was for sleeping with a married man.“W-Why is she h-here?” My voice cracks as I try to get all the courage I have in my throat. “I'm sorry for not introducing myself first thing in the morning.” She smirks. “I'm Candice… Ronan's ex.” She said confidently.Ex? His ex? “She's going to live here… with my son.” He casually said as if he didn't care how I reacted to his actions and words.Tears streamed down painfully in my eyes as I replayed his words in my head.“Y-Your son?” I said almost a whisper.What son? Is she pregnant– I suddenly heard a cr
YSABELLE The sun was almost completely hidden by those towering skyscrapers when I arrived in New York. I let out a deep breath as I descended the stairs from my biological father's private airplane. I left the US five years ago, but I'm returning today because my father urged me to. I need to close a deal with a Russian in a US state. In order to avoid running into the people I vowed never to see again, I have to close the deal in one swift. Five years. Even though five years had passed, the pain was still lingering inside of me when I felt the breeze of New York. Enough, Ysabelle! Give up dwelling on the past! I chastised myself. This is what I hate the most about coming back here but I don't have any choice because of my father. I need to get over this as early as I can. On the day when I was divorced, my real parents showed up. After receiving a billion dollars from my biological parents, my adopted mother must be living a happy life now and left unnoticed. I'm now Ysabell