جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Isaac didn’t speak. Isabel’s fingers loosened around his wrist almost instantly as she realized how it must have looked. The silence stretched too long, and panic climbed up her throat. She took a small step back, her hand falling away quickly. “I- I meant… because my next doctor’s appointment is soon,” she stammered, forcing a light laugh as if she were making some casual remark, “that’s all, just wanted to say it before you left.” Isaac didn’t even blink, “Lena will take care of that,” he said coldly. Then he turned and walked off, not giving her another glance. She stood there for a moment, still frozen, still holding the air where his wrist had been. Her lips pressed into a flat line, the back of her neck growing hot. Why had she said anything at all? It was stupid. He was right. She didn’t need to talk to him. She had Lena for everything. Still, as he disappeared around the corner, she felt the familiar sting creep into her chest. Her arms folded over her stomach

Isabel sat stiffly on one side of the bed, the blanket pulled up to her waist. The room felt colder than usual, even though the thermostat hadn’t changed. She shifted slightly, peeking over her shoulder. Isaac was seated in the armchair by the far wall, his sleeves rolled up, his laptop open on his thighs, one hand propped against his temple. The soft glow from the screen lit up the sharp line of his jaw. She hesitated, then spoke, her voice low. “Aren’t you coming to bed?” He didn’t look up. “I won’t be sleeping tonight,” he said, tapping something on the keyboard. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.” She turned back toward the pillow, her fingers lightly tugging at the edge of the blanket. The sound of him typing was oddly calming. Her body slowly settled. The last thing she heard before sleep took over was the soft click of him closing the laptop. Once he was sure she was asleep, Isaac stood quietly, slipped on his jacket, and left the room. The hallway outside was already bei

Isabel sank deeper into the warm water the second she saw Isaac step in. Her back straightened against the pool edge, eyes flicking to the woman standing beside him. She was tall, elegant, and dressed in something tight enough to make a statement. Her lips were painted a sharp red, her heels clicked confidently on the tiles, and her hand lightly touched Isaac’s arm as if she belonged there. Isabel’s fingers curled into fists beneath the surface. Isaac looked surprised. Not panicked, just caught off guard. His gaze moved from Isabel to the woman, then back to Isabel again. He didn’t speak. A flicker of something stirred in Isabel’s chest. She hated that it felt like jealousy, but it did. She told herself she didn’t care. But her throat felt tight, and she dipped further into the water, just below her collarbones. Then another figure appeared behind them. A man, younger, maybe in his early thirties, with sharp features and bright blue eyes. He wore a blazer with no tie, slee

The silence after his outburst was heavy. Isabel stood frozen in place, her arms still mid-motion from when she had been giving instructions. Her heart pounded in her chest. No one in the room moved. The staff began to quietly back out. One by one, they slipped past the door without a word. Even the man holding the box set it down gently and left with his eyes on the floor. Lena glanced at Isabel with a worried look before following them out, the door clicked shut and they were left alone. Isabel took a step back, her lips parting, "Mr Dun..." Before she could finish, he crossed the room in two fast strides and pushed her back, pressing her firmly against the wall. One hand gripped her wrist, the other braced just beside her head. She gasped. His body was so close, her chest rose and fell sharply, his face was only inches from hers. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice low but biting. She couldn’t speak, her breath caught. He leaned in closer, his jaw tight.

Isabel stepped out of the car the moment it stopped and barely waited for the driver to say a word. She walked fast up the front steps, bag still over her shoulder, and knocked once. The door swung open quicker than expected. Mercy stood there in an oversized hoodie and socks, brows raised, mouth slightly open. "Wait, you actually came?" she said, stunned. Isabel dropped her bag beside the doorway and pulled her into a hug without answering. Mercy hugged her back instantly. “Okay, who do I kill?” Isabel laughed under her breath, pulling away just slightly. “Come in, come in,” Mercy said, waving her in and locking the door behind them. “You look like you’ve been through hell.” Isabel gave a tired smile. “I’ve had a day.” Mercy’s place was small but cozy, tucked in an older part of the city. The couch was still the same brown corduroy one they used to crash on in college, with soft pillows piled against the armrests and a worn-out throw blanket draped carelessly over