Isabella sat in her parked car in front of her parents' house, her eyes staring blankly out the window. Today had been too long, she thought. After giving her testimony at the police station about the disappearance of her twin sister, Irene, and all the drama that followed, Isabella felt physically and emotionally exhausted. Memories of Irene continued to haunt her, and even now, in a place that should have made her feel safe—her parents' home—her mind was filled with anxiety she couldn't shake off.Isabella slowly opened the car door, taking a deep breath to calm herself. The sound of the engine turning off signaled that the night was about to grow quieter. She stepped out, gently closing the car door, and walked slowly toward the house. This house had witnessed so many events in her life, from the warmth of her childhood to the crisis currently haunting her family.As she reached the front door, Isabella paused for a moment, listening to the strong beat of her own heart. When the do
Chapter 73Isabella had found a new apartment—simple, yet cozy—completely different from her family home, which was filled with memories of her childhood and traces of Irene. The apartment was suggested by Peter, her editor, who always seemed to know what was best for her. Despite its simplicity, the apartment had a modern, efficient design, with large windows overlooking a small garden outside, giving Isabella the peaceful atmosphere she needed. She spent the entire morning cleaning and organizing the space, hoping this new place could be a fresh start for her.After arranging the living room, Isabella sat on the couch with a glass of cold water, enjoying a brief moment of calm that began to fill her mind. But soon, a knock on the door startled her. She frowned, puzzled, as she hadn’t told anyone about her new address except Peter. Feeling a little uneasy, she walked toward the door. When she opened it, there stood Peter, his face beaming with a cheerful smile.Peter was a flamboyant
Sarah woke up with a strange, heavy feeling in her chest. Sunlight was just starting to filter through the cracks of her bedroom curtains, but the atmosphere inside felt far from peaceful. As she fully opened her eyes, she froze. Standing by her bedroom door was Louis—her husband, whom she had left long ago. The shock hit her so hard that she felt like she couldn’t breathe.Sarah was certain she had locked all the doors last night. How had Louis managed to get into her house?The house that was supposed to be her escape, a place where she could feel safe and far from the husband who had controlled and abused her for so long, both physically and mentally.Louis smirked, his eyes sharp and filled with victory. "You think you can just run away, Sarah?" he said, his voice cold, making Sarah's skin crawl. "I know everything. You think I'm stupid? I know you’ve been asking Sophia, Felix’s mother, for help to bring you back to Felix—your ex-fiancé."Sarah was stunned. How could Louis know ab
CHAPTER 75When Felix arrived home that afternoon, he didn't expect to find someone waiting for him at the door. The rain was falling lightly, giving the atmosphere a slightly gloomy feel. As he opened the door, Sarah suddenly appeared from the shadows and hugged him tightly without warning.Felix froze. His usually attentive hands suddenly felt stiff, holding back from returning Sarah’s embrace. His heart pounded, not from the love he once felt, but from fear and confusion. His mind was filled with thoughts of Isabella, his current fiancée, and guilt began creeping into his heart.Sensing Felix’s hesitation, Sarah loosened her embrace and stepped back to look into the face of the man she had once loved so deeply. Her eyes were filled with desperation, and her lips trembled slightly as she finally spoke."Felix, I need your help," Sarah’s voice was almost a whisper, fragile with hope.Felix, still trying to process the situation, could only stare at Sarah in confusion. "Sarah... what
Isabella stood outside her new apartment, pulling her jacket tight to block out the cool evening breeze. The night was dark, and the streets were quiet. The dim streetlights only added to the peaceful stillness around her.Before long, a black sedan pulled up in front of her building. Isabella gave a small smile as she saw Nicholas step out of the car and wave to her. Nicholas, grinning widely, walked over to her, feeling a surge of happiness that Isabella had agreed to meet with him.Without saying much, Isabella got into the car. Nicholas started the engine and drove off slowly. Throughout the ride, his heart raced, as if Isabella’s presence alone was a sign that she was accepting his feelings.Meanwhile, Isabella remained silent, gazing out of the window, lost in deep thought.Nicholas, wanting to break the silence, spoke softly, "I know it’s a tough night for you, but there’s somewhere I’d like to take you, if you’re okay with it."Isabella turned to him and nodded, not saying muc
After they left the park, Nicholas walked Isabella to her apartment. She paused in front of the door, giving Nicholas a faint smile. The night felt filled with unspoken things, like there was a subtle distance between them, yet at the same time, a pull that made it hard for them to part ways."Do you want to come in for a bit, Nick?" Isabella asked softly, her voice carrying a tone that was hard to read.Nicholas nodded gently, accepting her offer. She opened the door, and they both stepped inside. The apartment still felt unfamiliar to Nicholas. It was neat but quiet, with a few boxes left unpacked, a sign that Isabella had just moved in."Nice place," Nicholas said, looking around.Isabella gave a small smile. "There’s still a lot to do, but I’m starting to feel comfortable here."She walked over to the small kitchen in the corner, opened a cabinet, and pulled out a bottle of wine. "Do you want some wine?" she offered, searching for two glasses. Nicholas nodded and sat on the sofa,
Felix gently tucked Sarah into bed. The dim light softly illuminated the quiet room, with only the faint sound of Sarah’s raspy breathing breaking the silence. Her body was bruised and pale, with marks from the abuse clearly visible in several places.His heart ached every time he saw the state of the woman he once loved. Louis, Sarah’s husband, had crossed every line. Yet, even though Felix was furious, he found himself caught in a dilemma that haunted him.On one hand, he wanted to move on with his life, leave behind the drama of the past, and build a future with Isabella. But on the other hand, he couldn’t just abandon Sarah, especially when she was trapped in such a violent, painful relationship.Felix stood up from the bedside, taking a deep breath before walking into the living room. The room felt dark and cold, almost like a reflection of his own messy, confused thoughts. He sat on the sofa, staring blankly at the TV that wasn’t even on. His mind was flooded with unanswered que
Sarah looked at Felix with deep regret. The guilt and long-buried pain came rushing back with force. Sarah realized that her decision to marry Louis to save her father's business had thrown her personal life into unavoidable chaos. If only she had been more patient, maybe Felix would have come to help her. But now, everything had changed, and the regret grew sharper every time she looked at Felix.Gently, Sarah reached out her hand, brushing Felix's cheek as he slept soundly. She felt the warmth of his skin under her fingers, warmth that once belonged to her. Slowly, Sarah leaned in and kissed Felix’s cheek softly, as if hoping that moment could erase all the pain she had ever felt.But just as Sarah's lips touched Felix's cheek, the sudden sound of a door opening echoed through the room. Isabella stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide in shock. The box of pastries she was carrying fell to the floor with a loud thud. The room seemed to freeze, time stopped as Isabella realized wha