Chapter 7: Turned Into Another Trap

Isabella's POV

My heart raced as the police officers glanced between us. I thought this would be my chance for justice, but it had turned into another trap.

"Miss Monroe, could you explain what happened?" one officer stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and suspicion.

I caught Ethan's icy stare—a clear warning of what would happen if I said the wrong thing. Taking a deep breath, I forced my voice to remain steady.

"I'm sorry, it was a misunderstanding. We went for a drive and I got lost. I... I thought he had abandoned me." Even to my own ears, the words sounded weak and false, but under the circumstances, I had no other choice.

The officers exchanged looks before turning to Ethan. His face wore a cold smile that never reached his eyes. "As Isabella said, I immediately reported her missing when I realized she was lost." His tone left no room for doubt, perfectly crafted to sound both concerned and authoritative.

The officers looked skeptical, but what could they do? My statement left them no grounds to proceed. After briefly admonishing me for wasting police resources, they left.

Ethan set down his coffee cup and walked over to me. His fingers caught my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His breath was warm against my face, but his eyes remained cold.

"Poor little thing," he murmured mockingly. "Don't try to play games you can't win. Someone as naive as you? I could crush you without breaking a sweat."

"You only called the police after making sure they couldn't track me down," I managed to say.

His lips curved into a cruel smile. "In the vast wilderness of the Catskills, even the entire NYPD couldn't locate you without precise coordinates."

I bit my lip and remained silent. It had taken all my courage to call the police, only to be utterly defeated. My attacks bounced off him like raindrops on steel. The thought was driving me crazy. He would torture me until I lost my mind—he wouldn't stop until he drove me to my death.

No matter how panicked I felt inside, I couldn't show it to this man. Weakness would only encourage his desire to bully me.

Just then, the door burst open as my mother and Nora rushed in. Nora headed straight for Ethan, fury in her eyes. "You foolish boy! What were you thinking? Taking Isabella out all night..."

Before her hands could reach Ethan, I caught them. "Grandma, please don't hit Ethan," I said softly. "He just took me to see the stars."

Surprise flickered across Ethan's face.

"Stars?" Nora's anger gave way to confusion. "Is that true?"

I nodded with a forced smile. "The view from the Catskills was beautiful. The sunset, the fireflies, the stars... just like back home in Connecticut. Though the mosquitoes were a bit much," I added, scratching my arm where mosquito bites concealed other marks.

"But the police just came..." Mom began, but I quickly cut in, "Mom, I'm fine. I'm standing right here in front of you, aren't I?" Mom seemed to understand something and said no more.

Ethan was completely thrown off balance by my responses, unsure how to react.

Olivia, who'd been watching from the stairs, spoke up. "Ethan, Isabella is playing the gentle victim. Don't let her fool you, make sure she learns her lesson."

Ethan's expression darkened. "Olivia, maintain your ladylike image. Don't pick up my bad habits." Fury flashed across Olivia's face, her eyes narrowing into toxic daggers aimed directly at me.

"Mom, Grandma, I want to go rest." I didn't want to stay there anymore. After saying goodbye to them, I turned to the bewildered Ethan with a bright smile, "Ethan, the sunset and sunrise were truly beautiful. Thank you."

That night, in my room, I finally let my guard down. Mother had brought medical supplies and a new iPhone, but I sent her away. I couldn't let her see my injuries—it would only cause her more pain, and she couldn't help anyway.

As I cleaned my wounds, each sting reminded me of my humiliation. The city lights beyond my window felt as distant as stars.

By morning, my body ached, but my mind was clear. I'd considered fleeing to my grandma's place in Connecticut, but what would that solve? Ethan would find me, and I couldn't risk bringing his anger to my grandma's doorstep.

I wouldn't run. This time, I would stay and fight back. I touched the bruises on my arms, feeling them throb beneath my fingers.

Early the next morning, despite the pain, I forced myself out of bed. As I walked downstairs, a melodious laugh drifted through the air—unfamiliar and unsettling.

In the doorway, I found myself face to face with a captivating young woman. She possessed the kind of beauty that belonged on magazine covers—honey-blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and an elegance that radiated wealth.

"You must be Isabella." She set down her coffee cup, her perfectly manicured fingers lingering on the rim. "I'm Luna Bailey."

Olivia sat across from her, barely masking her contempt for me behind a cold smile. "Luna is my best friend from boarding school," she said, though her tone suggested this introduction was far from friendly.

"Oh, Isabella, I've heard so much about you." Luna smiled sweetly, crossing her legs. "So you're Ethan's little plaything, are you?"