Chapter 32: Unsettling Feeling

Isabella woke up with a feeling similar to a panic attack, her breathing was uneven as her eyes explored the surroundings, searching for the one her heart was yearning for, Edmund.

She was in a hospital bed, she pretty much made a habit of crying and fainting the last few days.

‘Where is he? Where is Edmund?’ She became anxious to know.

Without her knowledge, he became her safety net or something similar.

Her regard was drawn to some papers on the table beside her bed, she grabbed them. Putting aside the memory stick that was on top of the documents, she picked up the first page, a note written by hand, her pulse racing in anticipation.

"I am disheartened that I would not be able to stand by your side when you wake up, but I have some urgent business to attend to, so I apologize for leaving you there alone, yet I made sure you’ll be well attended in my absence.

I must admit that it’s very worrisome for me to know you always tend to hurt yourself by making hasty assumptions without weighing all the facts.

And you also seem to do it often, recklessly jump to the wrong conclusion without hearing all the arguments. Your sister and my brother were taken for some tests and are unavailable for visiting today. Luisa had waited for you, but you were late.

I have left a copy of our contract for you to read thoroughly, we’ll discuss tonight as much as you want of this matter. You will come home and spend the night with me, this is not negotiable.

As for the other situation that you misjudged, I demanded the security team to pull the footage from last night for you to see what really happened in my office with Regina. I think you will be interested to know that the woman is out of our house and our lives.

I have instructed the nurses not to let you leave the hospital unless you eat something first, so be diligent and don’t cause them issues.

See you tonight!

Love,

Edmund"

As she read the note again in utter disbelief, her body was invaded by a soothing sensation.

‘Is it possible that I incorrectly assessed the whole situation with Regina?’

She was quick to toss away the idea only her foolish heart would believe. It was not something someone told her, she had seen that woman in his lap with her own eyes and, in addition to that, the awful woman confirmed it.

‘But he left a video for you to watch, Isabella! So he might as well be innocent as he pretends to be!’

Something about the situation did not seem right at all. ‘Why did that woman lie to me then? What is she after?’

It was imperative to go back to Moira’s place, get her tablet and watch the damn video.

‘Yes, this is what I need to do, I will get going right now. Or, after I eat something.’

* * *

Heartbeats later, in the cab on her way to his cousin’s suite at the hotel, Isabella was reading the dreadful contract over and over again.

‘He warned that the document was insulting and I couldn’t agree more. In fact, calling it ‘insulting’ was an understatement.’

She felt anger build inside her with every line she read, every outrageous term, every presumptuous condition.

‘Did he really offer to pay me 1 million dollars for each year if we stayed married for at least five years? I am supposed to pay him 10 million for each year, if I divorce earlier than five years or if I violate this despicable agreement, which I already did by sleeping outside the house?’

Blood boiled in her veins as she signed her life to him. Practically, she was his property for at least half a decade, he could control what she did and whom she met, what she ate and how she dressed.

Everything. Everything was up for him to decide.

She took deep breaths to compose herself before knocking at Moira’s door, there was no point to have her emotions plastered all over her face for anybody to see.

Her eyes widened as the one that opened the door was Alec. She could not explain why she had an unsettling feeling every time she locked eyes with him, it was like her instincts were trying to tell her something.

Never mind, she shook the thought out of her head, she convinced herself that she must be getting suspicious for no reason.

Alec was Moira’s boyfriend, a man that risked his job and God knows what more by hiding his love relationship from his boss, who was none other than her tyrant husband, Edmund. Therefore, she felt uneasy for no reason, he was undeniably a very special man, who put his lover first.

“Is Moira here?” She inquired, his scrutinizing eyes poking holes into her skin.

“She is out, but not for long, you can come in and wait for her.” He declared, eying her from head to toe.

His demeanor was one of a predator, mismatching the big smile on his face.

“S-sure, if you don’t mind.” Isabella forced the words down her throat.

“Not at all, be my guest.” He invited her in and she took his offer.

Scanning the place, she was unable to locate her belongings. “I’ve left my bag and my tablet here, do you know where they are?”

“You can check the bedroom, maybe Moira moved them there.”

“Okay.” She uttered and headed to the other room.

The sound of door slamming made her heart jump from her chest, she turned around and saw Alec standing at the entrance.

“Sorry, did I startle you? You seem very tense.” He flashed a smirk, taking small steps towards her.

Isabella's heartbeats accelerated in an unprecedented way, a fright sensation was penetrating her bones, making her shiver in response.

“Is there something wrong? Was everything fine at the hospital?” He asked.

He reached so close to her that she could feel his breath on her forehead. She took a step back only to hit a wall. Time stood still, her entire body froze the moment he gripped her shoulder.