Ao3 Isolation Novels & Stories

“I walked around as if I don’t exist in their world.” Althea felt something cold bloom in her chest, reaching her one hand. “They made it clear I was no longer useful,” Isabelle went on, squeezing Althea’s hand tightly. “No role. No purpose. No future within the family. Grace for a while took pity on me and let me take care of her daughters but when Aurelio found out, he forbade it.” Julian added quietly, “Isolation can be more destructive than punishment.” Isabelle nodded. “I couldn’t stay there anymore.” She said. “I go in and out of the estate and nobody cares. No questions on where I’ll be going or what time I’ll be back. They just simply stopped minding.”