A flicker of hope

ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW

Morgan stormed into the mansion like a hurricane. I barely had time to stand up before her sharp eyes landed on the bruise that refused to fade on my cheek.

“Are you kidding me, Isabella?” she snapped, dropping her bag on the couch. “This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit. How long are you going to let him use you as a punching bag?”

I flinched at her words, clutching my arms to my chest. “Morgan… please, not so loud.” My voice came out smaller than I intended.

She rolled her eyes, pacing the living room like she owned it. “Loud? Isabella, he hit you again! And you’re just standing here like it’s nothing. God, it makes me sick. Divorce him. Leave this loveless marriage before he kills you.”

My throat tightened. Divorce? If only it were that easy. But how could I tell her? How could I open my mouth and say, I’m trapped in a ten-year contract, Morgan. I can’t leave. I owe him my family’s lives.

I shook my head slowly, forcing a weak smile. “It’s not like that. You don’t understand.”

Her gaze burned into me, full of fury and pain. “You’re right. I don’t understand. Because there’s nothing to understand about letting a man beat you and cheat on you and still warming his bed like a saint. It’s disgusting, Isabella. It’s—”

“Stop!” My voice cracked, and my eyes watered though I swore I wouldn’t cry today. “Please… just stop. I can’t leave him.”

She stared at me, stunned for a moment. Then she cursed under her breath, her hands balled into fists. “Of course you ‘can’t.’ Because Felix has money. Because Felix has connections. And the police? Ha. They won’t even lift a finger. That man could kill you and still sleep in his bed tomorrow.”

Her words cut like glass. I lowered my gaze, hugging myself tighter. She was right. Felix was untouchable. And I… I was nothing but his shadow.

The doorbell rang, sharp and unexpected. Morgan paused mid-yell, frowning. “Who the hell is that?”

My stomach twisted. Felix never allowed unannounced visitors. With shaky steps, I went to the door.

A delivery man stood there, holding a bouquet of red roses and a small box of chocolates tied with gold ribbon.

“For Mrs. Isabella Felix,” he said.

I froze. For a second, I thought I misheard. My hands trembled as I took them. The roses smelled too sweet, too foreign, too… kind. I hadn’t seen anything like this in years.

“Thank you,” I whispered, and quickly shut the door. My heart was pounding as I turned back.

Morgan’s jaw dropped. “Oh. My. God.”

I pressed the flowers against my chest, panicked. “Don’t—don’t say anything. The maid could see. If Felix sees this he'll be—”

Morgan snatched the chocolate box from me, her grin wide and wicked. “Gosh, Isabella, you’ve been holding out on me! Someone’s got a secret admirer, huh?”

“Morgan!” I hissed, rushing to hide the bouquet behind the curtain. “Stop it. I don’t know who sent these. Felix mustn't see this”

Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer. “Don’t tell me it’s Mr Julian.”

My whole body stiffened. Heat rushed to my cheeks. “No! No, it’s not Julian. Don’t even say that. It could be… anyone. Maybe a mistake delivery.”

Morgan raised a brow, crossing her arms. “A mistake delivery with your full name on it? Please.”

I shook my head furiously. “I’m serious, I don’t know who it’s from. It could be some stranger, or maybe… I don’t know.” My voice cracked, and I hated how weak I sounded.

Morgan tapped her lip, pretending to think. “So… mystery admirer. Could be Mr Julian. Could be some random man. Or…” She smirked. “Could it be that your dear husband finally remembered how to treat his wife?”

I scoffed, hugging myself tighter. “Felix? Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t do things like this. He'd never.”

Morgan twirled one of the roses between her fingers like it belonged to her. “I’m telling you, Is… this has Mr Julian written all over it. Hes the only male in your life that actually cares for you so it got to be him.”

I rolled my eyes, snatching the flower back before she ruined it. “Stop it, Morgan. He doesn’t care. And even if he did, he wouldn’t do this. He’s Felix’s best friend.”

Morgan smirked. “Exactly. And that’s why it makes sense. He’s the only one close enough to see how miserable you are, the only one with guts to care.”

“Morgan…” I sighed, my voice low, almost pleading. “Don’t. Please. You don’t understand.”

She leaned forward, eyes fierce. “No, Isabella. You’re the one who doesn’t understand. A man doesn’t just hit a woman, cheat, and then come home like it’s nothing. Felix doesn’t deserve you. And if Mr Julian—or anyone else—has half a brain, they’ll see it too.”

Her words sat heavy in my chest. I wanted to argue, to defend Felix like always, but my throat closed around the lies.

Morgan checked the time on her phone and groaned. “Crap. I need to go before your devil husband gets back. I can’t stand his face.” She grabbed her purse, kissed my cheek quickly, and wagged a finger at me. “But don’t you dare hide from this, Isa. Whoever sent those flowers, they see you. And you deserve to be seen.”

I forced a smile. “Drive safe.”

The moment the door shut behind her, silence pressed in.

My eyes fell on the bouquet again, sitting too perfectly on the table. My heart pounded as I pulled it closer, fingers trembling. Slowly, I parted the petals, searching—until I felt the edge of paper.

A note. Folded small, tucked deep where no one would easily find it.

I opened it, and my breath hitched.

~From your lovely husband, Felix~.

The room tilted. My stomach dropped so hard I thought I’d be sick. Felix? He never… not once in all these years. Why now?