When She Walked Away

003

The sting on Andrea’s cheek refused to fade, even after Miguel's car was out of sight , he stood rooted to the spot, his tongue pressed against the inside of his mouth as if he could still taste blood.

 No woman had ever raised her hand against him before, no one.

The guards shifted uncomfortably Behind him, Andrea didn’t turn, instead, he lifted one hand in a sharp motion, dismissing them without a word.

Andrea could not comprehend what had just happened, the quiet, obedient Isabella had slapped him , not once, but twice.

He curled his fingers slowly into fists, s anger simmered in his chest, he wasn’t because she had left, he had never cared whether she stayed or not. Their marriage had been nothing more than ink on paper, a transaction sealed to fulfill his grandmother’s dying wish.

What infuriated him was her defiance.

Isabella had looked him in the eye, unafraid, and told him she was done, as if she had a choice, as if walking away from Andrea was something a woman could simply do and survive.

The sound of heels clicking against marble broke the silence. 

Andrea turned to see Vanessa walking toward him, calculating steps, her hips sway deliberately, every step was calculated, Vanessa stopped behind him and slid her arms around his waist, pressing herself against his back.

“Andrea ” she murmured softly. “Don’t let her ruin our moment.” she said 

Her touch grated against his skin, and he stepped away immediately, breaking her hold.

 “She slapped you” Vanessa said, sounding as if personally offended on his behalf. 

“You should have her dragged back here. Women like her only act brave when they think they’ve won.” she added.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” Andrea said, turning slowly 

Isabella faltered for a second, then laughed lightly, waving it off.

 “I’m just saying “ she continue. “ Now that she’s gone, we can finally be together, publicly.” She said with confidence , smiling brightly.

 “I can move in tonight if you want.” she said sounding desperate 

The eagerness in her eyes sent an unpleasant feeling to Andrea.

Just moments ago, Isabella was here, demanding for a divorce, Vanessa, in contrast, looked like someone who had just claimed a trophy.

“You’re not moving in” Andrea said flatly.

Vanessa blinked. “What?” She asked, unable to believe her ears 

“I didn’t say we were starting a life together” Andrea continued coolly.

 “Don’t confuse sex with commitment.”

 The words hit Vanessa like a slap and the smile on her face stiffened. “Andrea” she manage to call but Andrea was quick to cut her short.

“I need a drink,” he cut in, already turning away.

He walked into the mansion without waiting for her response. After a brief hesitation, Vanessa followed.

Andrea poured himself a glass of whiskey and downed it in one swallow, he poured another, and repeated thesame process, the burn slid down his throat, but he careless.

Isabella was dramatic, she had always had been dramatic, crying, trembling, and acting fragile, it was how she survived under his roof, Andrea thought weak women exaggerated pain to gain sympathy.

A month ago, Isabella had drugged him into sleeping with her. Now she wants a divorce? Who does that? 

“Are you even listening to me?” Vanessa voice snapped him back to reality.

Andrea turned sharply. “You’re still here?” he asked.

 “You don’t have to treat me like this, I’m not her.” She said angrily.

“No,You’re not.” Andrea replied coldly.

Something dark flickered across Vanessa's face before she masked it.

 “She’ll come crawling back,” Vanessa said confidently. “Women like Isabella always do.”

Andrea didn’t respond, for the first time, he wasn’t sure she'd truly come back.

He picked up his phone and stepped away from Vanessa , turning his back to her as he dialed a familiar number.

“Find her,” he said the moment the call connected.

“Yes, sir,” the voice on the other end replied.

Andrea ended the call and stared out into the night.

“Isabella,” he muttered, a slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.

“Run while you can,” he said quietly to the empty room. 

“Because if I find you”

He didn’t finish the thought, he didn’t need to. Andrea Villanueva did whatever he damn well pleased.

The room felt quieter after that thought settled in his mind.

Vanessa was still standing there, watching him. Her arms were folded tightly across her chest now, the softness she liked to wear around him was gone, replaced by something sharp and possessive.

“You’re thinking about her again,” she said suddenly.

Andrea shot her a warning look. “Mind your tone.”

Vanessa scoffed, as irritation flashed openly across her face. 

“Why can’t you despise her for once? She made a scene, embarrassed you, then walked away like she mattered. If anyone should be worried, it’s me.”

Vanessa's words grated on him more than he expected.

Isabella had always been invisible in this house, she followed rules, endured whatever he gave her, or didn’t give her, that was why he had never imagined she was capable of what she did today.

“She doesn’t matter,” Andrea finally said , but the words didn't sound true to his ears, he just said them to please Vanessa.

 “This marriage ended the moment it served its purpose.” he added 

Vanessa stepped closer and whispered to his ears.

“Then why order an investigation?”

 “You’re overstepping your boundaries” Andrea said coldly, Vanessa flinched. 

“ What has come over you?” Vanessa yelled.

“I don't owe you an explanation” 

Vanessa's lips pressed together in anger, but she forced a smile.

 “I just don’t want her crawling back with lies. You know how women like her are, always playing victims.”

The word echoed uncomfortably in Andrea's mind, why was he feeling this way? It wasn't his intentions to make Vanessa feel bad, Isabella hadn’t cried when she asked for the divorce, she hadn’t begged, even when he had choked her, there was no fear in her eyes. That realization unsettled him.

“Go home, Vanessa ” he said abruptly.

 “What?” Her eyes widened in shock 

“I said go home. I need space.” Andrea repeated.

Vanessa stared at him as if he had slapped her instead. “You’re choosing her over me?”

Andrea laughed humorlessly. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’ll call you, I need to clear my head ”

Vanessa hesitated for a while, before nodding stiffly.

 “Fine” she said. ‘ But don’t forget, I’m the one who stayed, she left you.”

With that being said, she grabbed her bag and stormed out, the sound of her heels echoing angrily through the hall.

The moment the door slammed shut, Andrea loosened his tie and exhaled slowly, his phone vibrated in his hand, a new message lit up the screen, his eyes narrowed in shock as he read it .