Andrew’s eyes contained deep restraint, suppressing all emotions in front of her to avoid losing control.
“Isabella, I never claimed to be an unemployed drifter; that was your subjective assumption. In the prenuptial agreement and the custody transfer agreement I gave you, there were provisions for property distribution and financial compensation for you, but you never bothered to look. From the start, I never intended to deceive you.”
“Andrew, do you still have the nerve to justify yourself?” Isabella’s body trembled uncontrollably with anger.
“All my questions to you were clear, and your answers were ambiguous. It was your subtle influence that led me astray. Even when I asked about your background and family, you never explicitly told me who you really were. In two years, you had plenty of opportunities to be honest, but you weren’t.”
“I admit I wasn’t entirely honest. I selfishly hoped that you’d love Andrew, the person, not the baggage that came with me. But, Isabella, except for my identity, my feelings for you were genuine. When I said I loved you, I genuinely meant it. I wanted to marry you and grow old together.”
“But you’re a fake person. What’s the point of anything else being real or not?” Isabella suddenly screamed in frustration. “Andrew, I hate being lied to!”
She covered her head with her hands, feeling a splitting headache. Her facial expression twisted in pain and torment. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face as if a dam had burst.
“Isabella.” Andrew half-embraced her, his eyebrows furrowed, his slightly rough fingertips tried to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. But the more she cried, the more viciously she sobbed, tears seemingly never-ending.
Looking up at him, Isabella’s translucent tears ran across his fingertips, carrying a chilling coldness. Her pale lips trembled lightly. “Andrew, let’s end… sobs…”
He didn’t give her a chance to finish her sentence. His strong hand gripped her chin, forcefully pressing his lips against hers.
After a brief moment of shock, she struggled violently, but she couldn’t stop his lips and tongue from entwining with hers.
One hand pressed against the back of her head, the other arm fiercely locking around her waist, almost trying to encase her frail body into his chest.
Despite her vigorous resistance, Isabella couldn’t break free. In her state of turmoil, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.
Emotionally overwhelmed and deeply involved, Andrew’s reaction was inevitably a beat behind. Then, with a crisp sound, everything ended with the clear sound of the slap.
Isabella felt her palm slightly numb. She saw the emotions raging in his blue eyes. He exuded a dangerous aura. She felt every joint in her body stiffen.
For Andrew, perhaps Isabella was the only person who dared to slap him. It’s said not to hit someone’s face, but the higher one stands, the more intolerable it is to be slapped in the face.
He emitted a chilling coldness, gently touching his stinging cheek. A wicked and cold curve appeared at the corner of his lips. “Consider this slap a debt, Isabella. It’s better not to have a next time.”
Surprisingly quiet, Isabella turned and walked away.
“Where are you going?” Andrew reached out, his powerful fingers gripping her delicate wrist, as if he could easily crush her bones if he exerted a little more force.
She endured the pain and even raised a smile, a mocking smile. “Andrew, are you sure you want me to stay? I can’t guarantee that if I stay, I won’t slap you again.”
Andrew’s deep blue eyes gazed at her intently, but the grip on her wrist gradually loosened.
They were both too agitated now. Her staying would only continue their mutual hurt.
Isabella stormed out, and Andrew, losing control, kicked over the coffee table, scattering its contents across the floor.
After a brief loss of control, Andrew quickly regained his composure and dialed Ryan’s number.
“Isabella left. Get a couple of guys to follow her; make sure nothing happens.”
…
Leaving the apartment, Isabella headed straight to a nearby bar.
Inside the bar, it was raucous, with deafening heavy metal music playing.
Approaching the bar counter, she slammed a few red bills on the table, signaling for a round of drinks.
Drinking alone felt rather pitiful. She scrolled through her phone contacts repeatedly, realizing the more pitiful fact that she couldn’t find anyone to join her.
She tossed her phone onto the counter, continuously pouring herself drinks. Though they say alcohol only exacerbates sorrows, some people still sought solace in it. Perhaps, after the alcohol numbs the brain, the heart doesn’t ache as much.
Isabella lost count of how much she drank. Empty glasses were scattered all over the bar counter. She slumped amid the mess of glasses, feeling drowsy.
However, the music was just too loud, painfully echoing in her ears.
Furrowing her brow, she staggered off the bar stool and stumbled toward the exit.
Just as she reached the door, she tripped, almost falling to the ground.
“Miss, be careful.” A man’s voice came from behind, an arm suddenly reaching out to support her.
Isabella, propping herself against the wall, squinted at him. He appeared decent but had a somewhat lecherous smile.
Despite her drinking, her mind was still clear. She couldn’t have stumbled on a flat surface, and she distinctly felt someone trip her.
Her foggy gaze shifted from the man’s face to his legs. “Don’t want your legs anymore?” She chuckled lightly.
“What?” The noise from outside the bar made it hard for the man to hear her clearly.
Shaking her head, Isabella unsteadily continued forward. The man followed closely behind. “Where do you live? Let me take you back. You’ve had so much to drink; you can’t drive.”
“Haven’t you been drinking?” Isabella mocked, the smell of alcohol emanating from the man making her feel nauseous.
“My friend is coming to pick me up. I’ll drop you off on the way. With all the drinks you’ve had, you can’t possibly drive,” the man insisted, regardless of Isabella’s consent, pulling her towards the opposite side of the street.
In the alley across the road, there was indeed a car parked, but the area was dimly lit and almost deserted. The man dragged Isabella deeper into the alley.
Ryan had been following Isabella from a distance. Sensing something amiss, he hurriedly caught up.
Just as he reached the entrance of the alley, he heard horrific, pig-like screams emanating from inside. Two men lay writhing on the ground-one with an arm dislocated, the other with a broken leg.
Isabella like a wild creature out of control, mercilessly and recklessly assaulted the two men.