bel

tion so cold and distant, as if what had existed between us was never true love at all? It felt as though the whole world had come to a grinding halt, everything moving in a painfully slow motion, like a never-ending nightmare playing out before my very eyes. I fel

o one was standing by my side, no one at all! It felt as if I had become the criminal in this twisted scenario, rather than the victim! I felt as though I had been punched square in the gut, with all the air knocked out of me. I gasped for breath, desperat

g such an atrocious act against me? It felt like he was rubbing salt in my open wounds, pouring gasoline on a raging fire, and poking me repeatedly with a sharp stick. I wanted to scream at him, I wanted to shout in defiance

I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a complete stranger, a person I didn't know, a person who didn't seem to care about me at all, a person who didn't love me. I wanted to hate him,

his shoulder, he just kept walking away, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart. I felt as though I was watching him walk out of my life forever, out of my heart, out of my

, but my legs felt like jelly, as if they were made of lead. I was almost dragging my legs behind me, like a prisoner being led to her execution, utterly defeated. I reached out to touch Zack's jacket, but as soon as I did, I stumbled and fell on my face, feeling like a defeated warrior

ped, cornered, caged within a nightmare I couldn't escape. I wanted to flee, to run far away from this hellish situation, but my legs felt heavy, my body weak, and my

eing fired. But even so, the servants looked at me with eyes full of pity and sorrow. They wanted to help me, but they felt powerless to do so. They wanted to save me, but they didn'

had loved me so much, and he had been so happy about my impending marriage to Zack. He treated me like his own daughter, pampering me as if I were precious to him. And Zack had followed me everywhere like my devoted

have listened to my heart, I should have taken steps to protect myself. But no, I had to call Zack, I had to trust him, I had to believe in him.

out, "Zack! Please. Did you really not love me? Please, marry me! I didn't do anything wrong. I promise I will be like your maid. But please don't leave me

do anything wrong. You are a victim. But-." Zack lingered his words in the air, leaving me hanging in uncertainty, leaving me waiting, leaving me hoping for somet

Zack?" How foolish and innocent I had been to think he would save me! I thought he would protect me, I thought he

ms over his chest and said bluntly, "Isabella, that doesn't mean I will marry you. I can't marry you now. I suggest you get married to my brother instead. If I married you, I would always remember that someone else

. It felt as if my heart had nearly stopped beating! I was gasping for air, struggling to grasp onto any hint of hope, se

ying to process everything that was happening around her! But I couldn't! Seriously?! Did this mean that Zack had abandon

live as your own slave for the rest of my life. Please don't do this to me. You are destroying me and my reputation!" I was begging him, p

see who was standing beside me, and the strange thing was, it was my murderer

t he didn't love you?! Can't you see that he doesn't deserve you! If I were in his place, I would have killed the one who violated my sweethea

! If you don't let me go, I will-" I was threatening Xander, warning him, cautioning him of the co

re in my life! It was something strange, something mysterious, as if Xander was hiding a secret deep within him! But I

e brink of losing my consciousness at any moment. I rushed toward Zack's father, pleading for him to be a wise man and seek ju

, you wouldn't be able to do anything to him. Second- I absolutely refuse to let any of my sons marry you, so stop pretending you're innoc

not a toy, I'm not a plaything, I'm not a slave. I'm a human b

in thunderstruck disbelief as I looked at Zack and his fa

uthoritative tone, "Get me ten thousand dollars from my office right now." Oh, the insult! Oh, the injury! Oh, the offense! It was as if he had thrown

splay. And I had no idea if my parents had overheard that scandalous exchange. Especially considering that Zack and Xander's father was not just wealthy, but filthy rich-he was a billionaire

ng, "Isabella, if you dare to call the police or if anyone hears about what just happened here, I will personally ensure you end up behind bars. Not only will you suffer the consequences, but your father and your

y or stand up for myself, Zack continued his harsh tirade. He spoke to me with an unkindness that stabbed me in my heart, declaring, "Pick up the money, Isabella, and just get out of here. That m

e the scene. I felt utterly dehumanized, as if I were being treated like a dog, a slave, or worse-a prostitute. I felt like I was being bought and

ept to nod my head in agreement, as if that would somehow alleviate the tension. I didn't know what I should do except cry, scream, and

ess in an instant, and everything around me turned into a dark abyss. My body felt frozen, turning into ice immediately, and I began to

bella! Please wake up. Stay with me! I will marry you. Please, I will protect you, and I will face anyone for you-." The voice echoed aga

ation of anything around me, slipping away into a void of silence. It felt surreal, l

as all just a nightmare, and soon I would wake up and everything would be fine again. I

ses of people in white clothes rushing around me, repeating the same words as if they were trying to inform someone nearby, "She'