Chapter 3

Isabella Dawson was Noah's dream woman.

Over three years ago, Isabella and Noah had argued for some reason. Out of spite, she had gone overseas to further her studies.

From that moment on, everyone knew they'd better not mention Isabella's name in front of Noah.

Surprisingly, that was something I had overheard during my engagement ceremony.

A woman asked, "Why did Mr. Howell suddenly get engaged to this random girl?"

Another one replied, "Oh, you didn't know? I heard she resembles Isabella. She's probably just a substitute."

After they finished gossiping and left, I walked out of the restroom stall.

Back then, staring into the mirror, I had stubbornly encouraged the young woman staring back at me.

"Don't listen to their nonsense. It was your persistence and sincerity that moved Noah. He doesn't think of you as a substitute," I said.

That was what I had thought until Isabella showed up on the day of our wedding.

Right after we exchanged rings, the banquet hall doors suddenly swung open.

Isabella rushed in, wearing a custom-made white gown. She looked like she was trying to steal the groom.

All eyes turned to her. With tears shimmering, she took the microphone and said, "Noah, this dress was designed by you years ago. I spent three years making it. I thought you would wait for me…"

After a brief pause, she added, "It seems like I'm too late."

A tear finally fell, and she said, "Congratulations on your marriage. May you have a long life together. As for me, I'll stay out of your life from now on. Let's not meet again."

With that, she fled like the wind.

Noah's eyes followed her departing figure as he stood transfixed.

I held onto his arm, reminding him that it was our wedding.

He followed me to toast the guests, but his mind was elsewhere.

Then, he suddenly answered a call. On the other end, they said Isabella had slit her wrist.

Both of our expressions shifted. I clutched his arms, begging him, "Noah, don't go."

But he pried my fingers off one by one and walked away without sparing me another glance.

That was the first time I realized how important Isabella was to him.

Afterward, it happened again and again. Each time, Noah would rub his temples and say, "Isabella has bipolar disorder. Just cut her some slack."

Eventually, Isabella finally revealed her true hand.

…

That day, while I was preparing for my birthday banquet, she suddenly came to visit.

She handed me a medical report and said, "Sadie Carrington, I'm pregnant. This child needs a father."

My world came crashing down around me. I couldn't believe Noah had fathered a child with her behind my back.

I said I didn't believe it, and I wanted to confront Noah about this.

However, Isabella blocked me at the top of the stairs, provoking me.

"You're just my substitute. Now that the real deal has returned, how much longer do you plan to cling to my place, you shameless mistress?" she questioned.

"No, I'm not! When Noah and I were together, we were both single and unmarried!" I replied.

…

After several heated exchanges, Isabella suddenly fell down the stairs.

Blood streamed down her legs.

Just then, Noah came home. He witnessed the scene and roared, "Sadie Carrington!"

"No, Noah. It wasn't me. It was her!" I panicked, trying to explain.

But Noah scooped Isabella into his arms, gave me a cold glance, and rushed off to the garage.

I hadn't touched her. She had lost her balance on her own.

Desperate, I quickly checked the house surveillance footage.

Unfortunately, the footage only showed us quarrelling. It didn't clearly show whether I pushed her or not.

I hurried to the hospital.

Outside the ward, I overheard angry voices.

An older woman said, "That woman caused Isabella to lose her baby. I'll see her thrown into prison!"

Isabella's voice followed. "Aunt Peggy. Please stop. I believe Sadie didn't mean it. Maybe she's sick, like me. Noah, I know those symptoms well. Think carefully, have you two been fighting a lot recently? I can forgive her this time, but what if this happens again next time? She should get treatment early.

"My brother owns a famous sanitarium. When my condition was at its worst, I went there and stabilized. If you need my help, I can ask her to arrange things."

Isabella's aunt, Peggy Dawson, fumed, "Isabella, don't be such a saint! I'll send her to jail myself."

With that said, the woman stormed out, brushing past me.

I quickly pulled on a mask.

Inside, Isabella said in a sweet voice, "Noah, my aunt's only doing this because she adores me. If Sadie isn't mentally ill, then she must face criminal charges."

After a long silence, I heard Noah say, "Alright. Please contact your brother's sanitarium."

At that time, I still wondered why Isabella was being so kind until I was admitted there.

After every one of her so-called "visits", I would be tortured without mercy.

Whips withy bared tips, highly concentrated chili water, and endless punishment awaited me.

I had my head shoved into a toilet, then yanked back out by the hair.

They forced me to shout again and again. "Mr. Howell belongs to Ms. Dawson. I'm just the mistress."

During those moments, I wondered if I had realized the truth earlier and given up sooner, would I still have ended up this miserable?

…

Right then, Isabella walked right up to me. I could feel every hair on my body stand on end.

I remembered her proud, mocking sneer. I remembered how she had viciously ordered the orderlies to take "good care" of me.

I remembered her trampling me underfoot, snarling, "Tell me, who does Noah love?"

I would reply feebly, "Mr. Howell loves Ms. Dawson."

The moment her hand touched my shoulder, I shot up from the couch as if I was touched by burning hot iron.

Bowing slightly, I said, "Ms. Dawson, please have a seat."

Isabella smiled sweetly. "Sadie, why are you so polite with me?"

Noah gave me a probing look but said nothing. Instead, he told us to take a seat at the dining table and eat.

Tonight's dishes were scrumptious, and all of them were once my favorites.

Sadie played the hostess, continuously serving me food.

"Sadie, I remember you loved these ribs. Try it."

…

But she knew full well that years of starvation had ruined my stomach. I could only handle liquids.

I looked at her pleadingly, hoping she would stop.

Yet with her trademark sweet smile, she stared at me, enunciating every word. "Why aren't you eating?"

That smile had haunted me for countless nights in my nightmares.

When I faced it in person now, my hands trembled uncontrollably.

I forced myself to swallow the food. Halfway through, my stomach felt like it was burning.

Perhaps my pained expression was too obvious. Suddenly, Noah slammed his fork down. "Enough!"

I held on as long as I could, but in the end, I stumbled to the bathroom and vomited everything out.

As I washed my face, I looked up into the mirror and saw Isabella standing right behind me.

Taking a deep breath, I suppressed my urge to run. I spoke before she could. "Ms. Dawson, please rest assured. I'll ask Mr. Howell for a divorce."

She smiled. "Good. Oh, and once you move out, go work at Beryllion Hall."

Beryllion Hall was owned by the Dawson family.

It was true that I needed a job to survive, but going there was no different than jumping into another pit of hell.

Eyes red, I shook my head. "Ms. Dawson, please have mercy. Once I leave, I'll leave this city too. You'll never see me again."

Isabella blew on her nails casually and said in an aloof tone, "But if you're not under my nose, I'll never feel at ease."

Right then, I had the urge to ask what there was to worry about when I was already this broken.

But I didn't dare voice my thoughts. Six months in hell had carved my fear of Isabella into my bones.

Noah walked over and asked softly, "What's taking so long?"

Isabella chuckled. "I was just chatting with Sadie. I've seen her, and I've eaten. Since she just returned, I'd better let her rest. I'll head back first."

She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to ask her to stay or offer to escort her.

However, Noah only nodded. "Alright. Go on ahead."

A flicker of dissatisfaction flashed in her eyes. She cast a threatening glance before leaving with her bag.

After she left, Noah turned to me. "What's wrong with you?"

I shook my head. "Mr. Howell, do you have time? There's something I want to discuss."

He raised an eyebrow, signaling me to continue.

"I want a divorce." I felt a great weight lift off my shoulders as I said those words.

However, his expression darkened instantly.

"You insisted on marriage back then. Now you want a divorce? Do you think the Howell family is some place you can come and go as you please?"

"No, not at all!" I rushed to explain, "Mr. Howell, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have interfered with you and Ms. Dawson. I'm the mistress. I'm just an unworthy woman."

As I spoke, I fell to my knees, slapping my own face.

Noah seized my hand in shock. "Sadie, what are you doing?"

I stared at him, my gaze hollow and numb. "I'm atoning for my sins."

He exploded in fury and kicked a stool aside before dragging me onto the bed. "Who the hell told you you're a mistress?"

"N-No one. I… I came to that conclusion on my own!" I shrank into the corner, desperate to put some distance between us.

However, Noah pressed forward, looming over me.

"Whether you mean it or not, from now on, divorce is off the table!" He clenched his teeth in anger. "Or else…"

Or else what?

I stared at him, wide-eyed, waiting for him to continue.

But instead, he let out a laugh, then seized the back of my head and kissed me.

If it had been before, I might have trembled with excitement.

Now, I trembled only with fear and disgust.

"Noah?" The door creaked open. Isabella had returned. She forced a smile and said, "My car has a flat… Sorry, am I interrupting?"

Noah straightened his posture and adjusted his disheveled clothes. "What happened?"

"I don't know. It popped just outside the residential area. I was hoping to borrow a car. I didn't sleep well yesterday. Could you drive me?" she asked with grievance in her tone.

Noah glanced at me. Seeing no reaction from me, he reluctantly agreed.

Soon, the sound of his car engine drifted upstairs.

I shot up. I had to run.

Isabella had seen Noah kiss me. With her personality, she would definitely retaliate.

Noah wouldn't believe me. He would send me back there again.

In a rush, I packed my documents, cards, and a few old clothes. Then, I hailed a taxi straight to the train station.

I bought the earliest departing ticket to Southgate.