Chapt 17. Dominic Lancaster Won’t Let Her Go So Easily

“Don’t get the coat dirty,” Isabella Crater said softly, took off the expensive jacket from her shoulders, and held it out to her brother.

Her fingers trembled slightly. She cleaned restrooms for a living now. She scrubbed floors, vomit, and worse—her body always smelled faintly of disinfectant no matter how many times she showered. The last thing she wanted was to stain his immaculate clothes.

“Dirty, my ass!” Ethan’s voice cracked. His eyes were already wet as he snatched the coat back and threw it roughly over her shoulders again. “If you ever say something so ridiculous again, Isabella, I’ll be the one getting angry!”

The familiar warmth of her brother’s scent clung to the fabric. For a brief second, Isabella felt something loosen in her chest. Her lips curved faintly, though she made no further attempt to return the coat.

“Quit this janitor job.” Ethan pulled out his wallet with shaking hands, then yanked free a credit card and shoved it into her hand. “Here. Take it. Spend what you need. If it’s not enough, tell me and I’ll get you more.”

Isabella lowered her gaze, staring at the card in her hand for a long moment. Then, quietly, she pushed it back into his chest. “I don’t need it. Cleaning is fine for me.”

Ethan didn’t take the card. His throat bobbed, his whole expression wracked with pain. “Are you still angry at me? Because I couldn’t help you two years ago?” His voice cracked again, nearly breaking. “Is that why you won’t touch my money?”

Her heart twisted, but she forced herself to interrupt him before his guilt swallowed them both. “No. Don’t think like that.” She bit her lip, her eyes lowering to hide the bitterness flickering there. “If Mom and Dad find out you’re giving me money, they’ll be furious. And Dad’s heart… ”

Ethan’s fist clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened. He released it with a shuddering breath, only to curl it into another fist again. In the end, his arm dropped limply at his side and he shoved the card back into his wallet.

“Fine,” he muttered. “If you won’t take my money, then I’ll at least find you a proper job. Something respectable. Anything has to be better than this.”

“Don’t, Ethan.” Isabella’s voice was a whisper, so low he almost didn’t catch it. “I… can’t leave.”

Ethan’s head jerked up. “What do you mean you can’t?”

Her throat closed, but she forced the words out. “I work at the Dream Club. I can’t walk away from it. Dominic Lancaster… he won’t let me go.”

“That bastard!” He ripped at his tie as if it were choking him, his breath heaving. “Two years in prison wasn’t enough for him? Ruining your life wasn’t enough? What else does he want?!”

He turned on his heel, his rage propelling him forward.

“Ethan—!” Isabella’s hand shot out, gripping his sleeve desperately. Her voice was hoarse, exhausted, carrying the weight of too many sleepless nights. “Don’t. You can’t fight him. He’ll destroy you. Please… don’t make it worse.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?!” Ethan’s voice cracked, trembling with the force of emotions he couldn’t contain. His fist pounded against his own chest. “Stand here and watch him tear you apart? Pretend I don’t see? What kind of brother does that make me, Isabella? What kind of man?”

Their raised voices carried into the night, echoing against the dim street. Amy, who had been waiting nearby, hurried over when she heard the shouting. She placed herself beside Isabella, worry etched deep on her face.

“Ethan, think of your two children,” Amy said firmly, her voice cutting through the chaos. “You can’t act recklessly. Dominic Lancaster isn’t someone you can fight head-on. Don’t throw your life away and leave your family behind.”

Isabella’s shoulders sagged. With Amy here, she knew she couldn’t explain too much, but she seized the moment. “It’s late. I should head back.” Her voice was clipped, tired, final. She tugged Amy’s hand and turned to leave.

“Isabella!” Ethan’s voice rang behind them, raw and desperate. She stopped, her back rigid, but she didn’t turn.

“I’m sorry,” Ethan choked out, his fists trembling at his sides, knuckles bone-white.

Her reply was low, almost swallowed by the night wind. “Don’t blame yourself. Blame me for loving the wrong man. For trusting someone I should never have trusted.” Her voice rasped, cracking under the weight of bitterness. “Ethan… did Mom and Dad… ever ask about me?”

The silence that followed was unbearable. Ethan’s eyes burned with guilt, his mouth opening and closing, but no words came out.

Isabella let out a small, hollow laugh that sounded more like a sob. “I thought so.” Her voice fell to a whisper, jagged around the edges. “Goodnight, Ethan. And don’t… don’t do anything reckless.”

Before he could answer, she pulled Amy with her and ran to the taxi waiting at the curb. The door slammed, and then she was gone, swallowed by the night.

Inside the cab, Isabella pressed her forehead against the cool glass. Her chest ached as though a knife had carved straight through her. They still haven’t forgiven me, she thought. And I can’t even blame them. How could I? All of this is my fault. I loved the wrong man. I trusted Dominic Lancaster.

Beside her, Amy was silent for a long time, watching her friend struggle to breathe through the storm inside her. At last, Amy wordlessly handed over a tissue. “Here,” she said gently. “Wipe your face. Otherwise, people will think I bullied you.”

Isabella laughed. She dabbed at her tears, but the ache in her chest refused to fade.

By the time they reached the dormitory, the building was dark. The silence might have been comforting—if not for the sharp, mocking voice that cut through the air the moment they stepped inside.

“Some people really don’t know the meaning of decency,” Tiana sneered from her bed, her voice dripping with disdain. “Coming back in the middle of the night, disturbing everyone’s sleep. But then again—what did I expect? A murderer and a call girl under the same roof? Asking for basic manners from you two is pointless.”

Amy’s cheeks flamed red, her fists balling at her sides. “Watch your mouth, Tiana! Do you even hear yourself? Who’s the one keeping everyone up until two in the morning on phone calls? Don’t act like you’re better than us!”

“Please,” Tiana scoffed, rolling her eyes. “So I talk on the phone sometimes—big deal. Tonight I didn’t even make a call. I wanted to sleep early, but instead I get woken up by the two of you barging in, clattering around. Can’t I demand some peace and quiet?”

Amy pointed at her, her whole hand shaking with fury. “When we walked in, you were still scrolling on your phone! Don’t act like you were already asleep.”

“I was just about to put it down and rest when you came storming in,” Tiana snapped. Her smirk turned sharp. “But whatever. I don’t ask for much. Just kneel, apologize, bow ninety degrees, and we’ll call it even. How hard can that be?”

Amy was speechless, her chest heaving with indignation. Isabella just closed her eyes; she’s too drained to argue. Inside her, however, one thought burned bright—

No matter how much they look down on me, Dominic Lancaster won’t let me go so easily.