ISABELLA (The Night that ruined me)

ISABELLA P.O.V

I staggered, my feet already sore, the little bag in my hand swinging limply. I had walked a long distance, and it was already late. I picked up my pace as the cold breeze slapped against my skin. The wind howled, and the trees danced like they were swaying to a silent song, their branches flapping wildly in the rhythm of the pouring rain. It drenched me completely, adding to my frustration.

My hair clung to my face like glue. I adjusted my glasses, trying to see clearly. My clothes stuck to my body, my entire frame trembling from the cold.

Almost there. I encouraged myself as the house gate finally came into view.

I’m Isabella Santos. Just a simple girl from the countryside who somehow caught the attention of the almighty Xavier Gustavo…the heir to Gustavo Group Limited, the wealthiest and most powerful family in California. Or should I say... unlucky? Sigh.

Xavier met me at the coffee shop where I worked and confessed his love. It felt like a dream come true. I had always crushed on him, and now, I'm engaged to him.

I know what you're thinking..then why do I look so pathetic right now?

Because getting into the Gustavo family wasn’t the fairy tale I imagined. They despise me. His mother makes life a living hell, his kid sister Macy is worse than the devil, and his father, though barely around, made his disdain clear with the look he gave me the day Xavier introduced me.

I finally reached the front gate and rang the bell.

“Madam, why are you walking in the rain?” the gatekeeper, Mr. George, asked with concern.

“I just went to get something. I'm fine, Mr. George,” I assured him with a small smile. He’s the only one here who treats me like a human being, besides Xavier.

I gave him a reassuring look and walked straight into the mansion.

In the living room, Macy and Ma Hilda (Xavier’s mother)..were seated on the velvet sofa, watching a drama on TV with focused expressions.

“Here,” I said, stretching out the bag to Macy.

“Trash it. I don’t need it anymore.”

“What?! You said you had a headache! I walked all that way in the rain to get you medicine!” I said, my voice rising with frustration.

“And I said I don’t need it anymore!” she snapped, eyes still glued to the screen. Ma Hilda smirked beside her like a proud mentor watching her apprentice perform.

I took a deep breath and turned to go upstairs. I needed to get out of these wet clothes before I caught the flu.

“Wait. Get me a glass of water.”

I paused, glancing at the maids loitering nearby. Why me? Why not one of them?

“Macy, please ask the maids. I’m soaked. I need to change, please,” I pleaded, trying to walk away.

“Don’t you dare walk out on me! I told you to get me water and you’re referring me to them? Are you crazy?!”

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palm to stop myself from lashing out. I was trying…really trying..to avoid trouble. I turned and went to the kitchen.

When I returned, handing her the glass, she shouted, “What is this?! I said orange juice, not water!”

I blinked. “But you clearly asked for water, Macy.”

She pouted and burst into fake tears. “So now you’re calling me a liar? In my own father’s house?!”

Ma Hilda stood up, voice sharp. “How dare you make my precious daughter cry, you filthy thing?!”

“But Ma’am, you were right here! You heard—”

Pah!

The slap hit me so hard my ears rang, my glasses cracking at the edge. My face burned, and for a moment, I couldn’t hear a thing.

“I’m not your mother,” she hissed. “Your wretched one is probably still crawling around that countryside.”

Her words stabbed deeper than her palm. My chest tightened. Tears slipped out uncontrollably. I hated myself for being poor. For being weak.

I noticed the maids whispering. Some giggled. Others looked at me with pity.

The door opened.

Long legs in sleek tuxedo pants strode in. That face…perfectly sculpted, sharp nose, amber eyes. My breath caught.

Xavier.

The reason I endured all this. My heart fluttered. Finally… relief.

“Good evening, Mum,” he said, pecking her cheek.

“Evening, son.”

I looked down, biting my finger nervously. I waited..hoped…for him to notice me.

Then his eyes found mine.

“Isa… why are you all wet?”

“She went out in the rain just to buy me medicine,” Macy cut in sweetly, looping her arm in mine. “She’s such a sweetheart.”

I blinked at her in disbelief.

“I know, right?” Xavier smiled at me. I blushed as my heart bloomed at his praise. I was so whipped.

“Come on, you need to get changed,” he said, gently taking my hand. My skin tingled where he touched me. Even though we were engaged, we barely spent time together. He was always working.

“You could’ve let a maid go instead. Now you’re drenched, broke your glasses too… stop being so clumsy, Isa.”

I stared at him. When will he ever see what I’m going through? Tears rolled silently down my cheeks.

“There you go again…crying like a baby,” he sighed, turning toward his closet.

“When are we leaving?” I asked quietly, the only thing I could think of.

He paused. “I told you, Isa. After the wedding. I’m preparing our home.”

Two more weeks in this hell. Just two more, and it would be us. Alone. I just had to survive until then.

I walked over to help him unbutton his shirt. That’s when I smelled it.

A woman’s perfume.

“Did you go somewhere before coming home?” I asked cautiously.

“Yeah. Had a meeting with a client.”

“And… it involved her kissing you?” I held up the shirt, revealing the lipstick stain.

He froze, jaw tightening. His silence crushed me.

“Say something!” I yelled. My voice cracked with the ache of betrayal. My heart thudded like a war drum. My lashes heavy with unshed tears.