C7 Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

The days flew by with the little hope left in Isabel with it, Xavier was getting more worse, verbally abusing her, locking her up and denying her a good night of rest.

Their most recent escapade was still fresh in her memory, she hoped for it to leave but a lady can only wish.

It was on a chilly Friday, Isabel was seated on the couch in the living room, binge watching her shows, before sleep took over. That was expected, since it's been so long since she had a good sleep.

It was the opening and closing, more like jamming, of the door that jolted her out of her dreamland.

Xavier was hung on a girl's neck, drunk as hell and wobbling on his feet, with a bottle of alcohol in his hands and his shirt messed up. She took a look at them and decided she won't poke her nose into their business, she lied!

The night was heavy with anticipation as Xavier's footsteps echoed through the opulent halls of their home. Isabel, unable to sleep, lay in bed, her mind clouded with worry and suspicion. She had heard whispers of Xavier's infidelity, but the reality struck her like a knife through the heart when he walked through the door with the bimbo in his arms.

Fear and disbelief swirled within Isabel as she listened to the sound of Xavier's voice, laced with seductive charm, mingling with the soft laughter of a woman.

A sickening realization settled in, suffocating her every breath. Her once idealized image of what her ideal relationship should be shattered, leaving her trembling with a mix of betrayal and devastation.

Only if she was born into an average family, with her parents and siblings loving her, but no, she to be birthed by people who only cared about their other daughter and business, people who didn't hesitate to sell her in place of their beloved daughter, putting her into this misery of a home.

With hesitant steps, Isabel approached the bedroom door, her hand trembling as she turned the doorknob. The scene that unfolded before her eyes pierced her soul.

There stood Xavier, his arm wrapped possessively around the waist of a woman who exuded confidence and sensuality. Isabel's heart sank as she recognized the blatant disregard for their vows. Not like it was a real marriage, but he should at least have respect for the vows!

A cruel smirk played across Xavier's face as he locked eyes with Isabel. The mockery in his gaze cut deeper than any physical wound, and Isabel felt the weight of his betrayal settle upon her like a suffocating cloak.

In that moment, she realized she was a mere bystander in a game she never consented to play.

Every fiber of Isabel's being trembled with a mix of anger and heartbreak. She had never shared a bed with Xavier before, and the realization of his betrayal intensified the pain that coursed through her veins.

The bed that should be envisioned as a sanctuary of love and trust had become a battleground of deceit and humiliation. She shouldn't be that surprised,because he had always been known as a renowned playboy, but she can't help herself.

Isabel fought back tears, determined not to give Xavier the satisfaction of witnessing her vulnerability again. Silently, she turned away, retreating back into the depths of the shadows that has now eaten deep into her existence.

Whispers of their wild night echoed through the halls, making it impossible for Isabel to find solace in sleep.

As Xavier and his companion reveled in their moment of triumph, Isabel found herself at a crossroads. The emotions that swirled within her—anger, despair, and a profound sense of loss—threatened to consume her entirely.

The weight of his actions pressed upon her, suffocating any words that begged to be spoken. She felt trapped, unable to confront him for fear of the consequences.

But amidst the chaos of her shattered illusions, a flicker of strength ignited within her, fueling a desire for self-preservation.

With a heavy heart, Isabel made a silent vow to reclaim her worth and escape the torment that had become her reality. She knew that the path ahead would be arduous, filled with uncertainty, but she refused to be defined by Xavier's arrogance.

The impact of Xavier's actions had shattered her illusions, leaving her vulnerable and wounded. But in the depths of her despair, a spark of resilience flickered, giving birth to a newfound determination to rebuild her shattered world.

Oh, if only a girl's dream could become reality. All her resilience, determination and strength became a thing of imagination few weeks later when they had to go to a business party as couple.

Weeks later, a formal business event loomed on the horizon—a display of power and influence that demanded the presence of Xavier and Isabel as a couple.

Despite her predicament, Isabel took her time in dressing up, she knew she couldn't bear to put Xavier in the headlines courtsey of her dressing.

Isabel had meticulously chosen her attire for the occasion—a flowing, crimson gown that accentuated her delicate features. The fabric clung to her figure, emphasizing her quiet beauty.

Her makeup was subtle yet refined, with a touch of rosy blush on her cheeks and a hint of shimmer on her eyelids. She looked every bit the picture of grace and sophistication.

Beside her, Xavier donned a tailored black suit that exuded power and confidence. His gaze swept across the room, calculating and predatory.

He relished the attention he received from admiring gazes, using his charisma as a weapon to assert his dominance.

To the outside world, they looked like the perfect couple, complimenting each other, but only if they knew what went on behind closed doors.

The grand ballroom buzzed with anticipation as Xavier and Isabel made their entrance, their presence demanding attention.

All eyes turned to the couple, drawn by the allure of Xavier's charm and the elegance of Isabel's grace. But little did they know the torment that awaited Isabel as the night unfolded.

As the evening progressed, Xavier's true intentions revealed themselves, causing a sharp pang of despair to surge through Isabel's heart.

With each passing moment, he purposefully distanced himself from her, leaving her feeling like an insignificant accessory rather than his cherished partner.

Isabel watched helplessly as Xavier engaged in flirtatious banter with other guests, his attention fixated on captivating anyone who crossed his path.

She became a mere spectator, forced to witness his public displays of disregard for their relationship. The whispers and knowing glances of onlookers added to her growing sense of humiliation.

Then came the pivotal moment that would forever etch itself into Isabel's memory. Xavier, fueled by his desire to assert his dominance, deliberately orchestrated an embarrassing spectacle that targeted Isabel directly.

He did it in a way that his true intentions were hidden to majority of the guests, but visible to the rest and Isabel.

With a twisted smile, he approached the center of the ballroom, drawing all attention to himself and the unsuspecting Isabel.

He launched into a calculated speech, his words dripping with sarcasm and derision, designed to expose Isabel's perceived inadequacies.

The crowd looked on, some snickering in amusement, while others gasped in disbelief. Isabel stood frozen, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

Xavier's actions tore at the very fabric of Isabel's self-worth. The room seemed to close in on her as she became the unwilling protagonist in Xavier's twisted game.

She longed for an escape, a way to flee from the burning stares and the shame that threatened to consume her.

With a trembling voice and a shattered spirit, Isabel made a choice—one that would result in her not sleeping in her bed again tonight. In a moment of quiet defiance, she turned on her heels and walked away, her steps faltering yet determined.

With Isabel escaping the suffocating atmosphere of the party, Xavier was left stunned and momentarily robbed of his control.

In the sanctuary of solitude, Isabel allowed herself to release the pent-up emotions that had been brewing within her. The tears flowed freely, carrying with them the weight of her broken dreams and shattered illusions.

The atmosphere inside the sleek black limousine was heavy with an unspoken tension as Xavier and Isabel made their way back home from the party.

The silence between them was suffocating, each passing second amplifying the emotional distance that had grown between them. She knew that was the calm before the storm.

Isabel's heart pounded in her chest, her body rigid with apprehension. She stole glances at Xavier, his features etched with a cold indifference that sent shivers down her spine.

As the city lights flickered outside the window, Isabel's mind raced with thoughts of what awaited her at their shared residence.

She had come to fear the home that was meant to be a sanctuary, a place where love and understanding should reside. But now, it felt like a prison, each step she took within its walls weighed down by Xavier's malevolence.

Upon arriving home, Xavier made no effort to hide his displeasure. His eyes bore into Isabel's soul with a venomous glare, his voice dripping with contempt as he unleashed a torrent of cutting words.

He knew the power he held over her, and he reveled in wielding it to assert his dominance.

Isabel, meek and submissive, bore the brunt of Xavier's wrath. She stood before him, her head bowed, as he berated her with a litany of cruel remarks.

He tore down her self-esteem, dismantling any remnants of confidence that remained. His words became daggers, piercing her fragile heart, leaving scars that would linger long after the wounds had healed.

Xavier's punishment was both physical and an onslaught of emotional cruelty. He knew that the wounds he inflicted upon Isabel's spirit would cut far deeper than any physical harm ever could.

With each insult, each cold remark, he reinforced his power over her, ensuring that she remained broken and submissive.

Isabel, trapped within the confines of her own despair, had no choice but to endure Xavier's maltreatment. She swallowed her tears, her hopelessness etched into her features as she succumbed to the weight of his words.

In her eyes, a flicker of resistance remained, a spark of strength that Xavier's torment could not extinguish completely.

Yes, a woman was allowed to dream, despite all she was going through, all her fears and concerns, there was still that part of hers that decided to believe there was light at the end of the tunnel.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a pale glow on the remnants of a night filled with shattered illusions. Isabel stirred in the bed, her body heavy with exhaustion from the emotional torment of the previous evening. She was release earlier than she expected from the basement.

The events of the party and Xavier's punishment lingered in her mind, weighing down her spirit.

As Isabel prepared to face another day in the confines of their home, she couldn't help but brace herself for the encounter that awaited her.

Xavier, the embodiment of arrogance and control, strode into the room with an air of superiority. His eyes bore into hers, a cold glint betraying the satisfaction he derived from her suffering.

"Have you learned your lesson?" Xavier's voice dripped with contempt as he delivered the question, his tone leaving no room for defiance. Isabel, her voice barely above a whisper, nodded in submission, unable to muster the strength to voice her true feelings.

Xavier's cruel question further sank Isabel into the depths of her despair. It seemed there was no escape from his torment, no respite from the emotional anguish that plagued her every waking moment. With each passing day, her spirit withered under his malevolent influence.

However, amidst the darkness that enveloped her, a flicker of hope emerged. Xavier, with a sly smile playing on his lips, announced his departure.

"I'll be gone for three days," he declared, leaving Isabel momentarily stunned. The weight of his presence would be lifted, if only for a brief respite.

As the door closed behind Xavier, Isabel's heart fluttered with a mix of trepidation and relief. She was free, albeit temporarily, to exist outside the suffocating grip of his control. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of happiness danced within her soul.

In the ensuing days, Isabel cautiously explored her newfound freedom. She embraced small moments of joy, reveling in the simple pleasures that had been denied to her for so long.

She found solace in solitary walks, the gentle touch of a cool breeze against her skin, and the beauty of nature that surrounded their home.

But even in her moments of respite, the shadow of Xavier's cruelty loomed large. The wounds he had inflicted upon her spirit continued to fester, their impact deepening her sense of worthlessness and isolation.

Depression clung to her like a heavy cloak, engulfing her in its suffocating grip.

And then, just as Isabel began to settle into a fragile equilibrium, an unexpected visitor arrived. Xavier's cousin sister, a free-spirited and kind-hearted soul, appeared at their doorstep unannounced.

Isabel was gobsmacked, her preconceived notions shattered as she witnessed someone from the Kingston lineage exuding warmth and compassion.

The arrival of Xavier's cousin sister marked a turning point in her thoughts. Isabel, in her state of despair, was forced to confront the stark contrast between the man she married and the potential for goodness that existed within his own family.

It left her questioning whether there might be hope for redemption and healing within their fractured relationship.

Her whole free spiritness, kindness, left Isabel in awe of her, as she stood in front of the door, the lady in question standing outside grinning like one who got to have lunch with their crush.

''Hello, I'm Luciana, but you can call me Lucy. I'd have loved to stand here all day staring at your beautiful face, but my legs are killing me and I really have to rest my ass on a comfy seat'. She rushed her words, with the grin still plastered on her face.

Her outspokeness surprised Isabel even more, and she knew the days of Xavier's absence would be one of good memories, but she was not sure if it'd be good enough to erase the bad ones she had already.