Chapter 3: Nightmares and Reality

Isabella's POV

I jolted awake, my heart racing and my breathing quick and frantic. The nightmare had been so vivid, so real, that it took me a moment to realize I was safely lying in my bed. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand: 4 AM. The room was pitch dark, with only the faint glow of city lights seeping through the window.

I sat up, running a hand through my short hair, still feeling unfamiliar with the change. The memory of Ethan's threats lingered, the humiliation and fear still fresh in my mind. But I had to move forward. I had to be strong.

My boss, Daniel, had kept his promise and given me a decent bonus. I sighed, shaking my head, my hands resting on my knees as I felt a mix of emotions. The thought of Ethan having a video of my assault filled me with an inescapable sadness and fear.

I tried to shake off the feeling, but it clung to me like a shadow. I got out of bed, wrapped a robe around myself, and walked to the window. The city was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. I stood there, watching as the city slowly came to life with the break of dawn, trying to find some peace.

As the day began, I prepared for work. Just as I finished my shower and dried my hair, my phone rang. I checked the screen and saw my mother's name.

"Hi, Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Isabella, we just got back from our honeymoon yesterday. It was too late to call you. How are you?" my mother's voice was warm but carried a hint of concern.

"I'm fine, Mom," I replied, though I didn't feel fine at all.

"Last night, after we got back, we had a bit of a confrontation with Ethan. It was unpleasant. I'm worried he might come after you again. Maybe you should come back home for a while," my mother suggested.

I felt a wave of frustration. "Mom, can't you just leave him for my sake?"

"How can you be so selfish, Isabella? Do you want me to sacrifice my happiness..." my mother's voice trailed off, filled with disappointment.

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of her words. In her eyes, my safety was less important than her marriage. "I have to go, Mom. I'm going to be late for work."

After ending the call, I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rising emotions.

When I was six, my dad died from an illness. My mom remarried and left me in the countryside with my grandma. I had to deal with being bullied and the tough life there.

Even though my mom would visit sometimes and give me enough money for living and school, it couldn't replace the love I was missing from her.

Her second marriage ended in divorce, and she didn't want to be alone, so she got married again.

This time, she was lucky enough to marry into a rich family and found a man who truly loved her. But for me, it was a nightmare. Her new husband was Ethan's father, and Ethan felt that she had ruined his family. He was full of resentment towards me and my mom, and he took out that resentment on me.

I arrived at the office, trying to shake off the unease from my conversation with my mother. As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed the somber faces around me. My manager, Daniel, approached me with a regretful expression.

"Isabella, I'm really sorry, but we have to let you go," he said softly.

It felt like the ground had been pulled out from under me. "Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You know how things are. Ethan has a lot of influence, and we can't afford to cross him. I'm truly sorry," Daniel explained, his eyes filled with genuine remorse.

I nodded numbly, accepting the severance envelope he handed me. Three months' pay. I quietly packed my things, listening to the hushed whispers of my coworkers.

"Don't cross Ethan," Daniel said as I was about to leave. "He's not someone you can fight."

I didn't respond. I never intended to provoke him. I just wanted a peaceful life.

After leaving the office, I returned to my small apartment. My landlord was waiting at the door.

"I'm sorry, Isabella, but you have to leave. I can't afford any trouble here," he said, avoiding my eyes.

A lump formed in my throat, but I nodded. "I understand."

I packed my belongings into two suitcases and left the apartment without a word. I wandered to a nearby park and sat on a bench, watching the world go by. I felt numb, unable to process everything that had happened.

As night fell, I decided to find a hotel to stay in. I went from one hotel to another, but each time I presented my ID, I was turned away. The rejections were relentless, and by midnight, I was exhausted and desperate.

Dragging my suitcases through the streets, my feet aching and my spirit broken, I tried over a dozen hotels, but none would take me in. As I wandered, a man suddenly snatched my bag and ran off. My phone was inside.

"Help! Someone help!" I shouted, but the busy streets ignored my pleas. People walked past me, indifferent to my cries.

I collapsed in a corner of the street, tears streaming down my face.

In the early hours of the morning, as I sat shivering in the darkness, I heard footsteps approaching. When I looked up, Ethan was right there, with that stupid grin on his face.

"Well, well, look at this poor little stray cat," he said, his voice dripping with mockery.

My heart pounded with fear and anger. I stood up, but Ethan grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. After a day filled with humiliation, I bit his hand in a desperate act of defiance, and blood soon trickled from the corner of my mouth.

Ethan didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a low, mocking laugh. "You've got some nerve, don't you?" he said, his voice calm and measured, yet filled with an underlying threat.

His bodyguards stepped forward, but Ethan raised a hand to stop them. "No, I'll handle this," he said coldly.

I came to my senses, tears welling up in my eyes. "Please, Ethan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

Ignoring my pleas, he grabbed my arm and dragged me toward a waiting luxury car. I stumbled behind him until I was thrown into the back seat, the door slamming shut behind me. Ethan climbed in beside me, his expression unreadable.

As the car pulled away, Ethan turned to me and said, "Sorry? You think a simple apology is enough? No, Isabella, you have no idea what you've just started. This is only the beginning."