All Chapters of Her Man, My Betrayal : Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

I stood there, still trying to process everything that had just happened. Eli’s mother lingered at the wine bar, swirling the last drops of red in her glass, her gaze fixed on me like a quiet warning. I could feel the tension crawl up my spine—this house suddenly didn’t feel like a home anymore.I turned to Eli, forcing a small, shaky breath. “I should go,” I said, my voice low but firm. “I really need to be going.”His eyes softened. “Isabella—”“I’ll be fine,” I cut him off gently. “It’s getting late.”Before he could argue, I grabbed my bag from the counter. He sighed and nodded, walking me toward the garage. The moment we stepped out of that suffocating living room, I felt the warm afternoon air brush against my skin—soft, freeing, but still heavy with unspoken words.Eli held the door open for me, and we stood there beside his car for a beat too long, the silence stretching between us.“I’m sorry about my mom,” he said quietly. “She had no right to speak to you like that.”I trie

By the time I got to Lisa’s apartment, my chest felt hollow — like I’d left a part of myself behind at home. The afternoon light poured weakly through the blinds, casting stripes across the cracked walls. I could still hear my mother’s voice echoing in my head. “If it was Clara, she would have done better!”I knocked weakly. The door swung open, and Lisa stood there, her eyes widening when she saw me.“Isabella?” she gasped. “God, you look like you’ve been through hell.”I gave a dry, shaky laugh. “Close enough.”She stepped aside and let me in. The small living room smelled faintly of coffee and detergent. The TV was on, muted — some random commercial playing in the background. Lisa didn’t look like her usual bright self either; her hair was tied up messily, her expression tight, her lips pressed in a line.“I heard what happened,” she said quietly as I dropped onto her couch. “One of the girls from the diner called me. I wasn’t on shift today — went out to get supplies — but by the

The morning hung heavier than usual, the air thick with unsaid words. I woke to the sound of Clara’s laughter drifting up from downstairs — a melody tinged with mockery. For days, the house had felt like a cage. Each glance from my mother was a sharp reminder of how much of a disappointment I had become in her eyes. Every sigh, every muttered prayer, every cutting remark from Clara pressed down on my chest like a weight I could scarcely bear.As I folded my clothes quietly, I made sure to keep my movements soft, careful not to disturb the fragile silence that enveloped me. I wasn’t even certain where I was headed, but I knew I needed to escape. This house no longer felt like home; it felt like an accusation.Stepping out of my room, I found Clara already sprawled in the sitting room, her robe draped lazily around her as she scrolled through her phone. She barely glanced up when she spotted me.“So, you’re really leaving?” she asked, a smirk curling her lips. “You think running away wi

The silence stretched, thick and heavy. Then suddenly—**HOOONK!**The blaring of a car horn shattered the still air. I flinched, my phone slipping from my lap, and my pulse quickened. I pushed myself to my feet, brushing away the dried tears on my cheeks.Outside, the light was sharp and golden, signaling late morning. I tiptoed toward the window and pulled the curtain aside just enough to peek.A sleek black car was parked by the gate.My stomach tightened.Then the door opened, and Dickens stepped out.He scanned the street before his gaze lifted—straight toward my window. I let go of the curtain immediately, my heart hammering in my chest.What was he doing here?He started walking toward my front door. My palms went clammy.No. Not today. Not after everything.A knock followed.“Isabella! Please open up!”I backed away from the door. “Go away, Dickens!” My voice quivered.“Please, I just need to talk to you!”“About what?” I snapped, my throat tightening. “You’ve said enough alre