CHAPTER 106

CHAPTER 106
POV NOAH

I left the room with a tightness in my chest.

It felt too heavy.

Every step I took away from Isabela felt wrong. As if my body were fighting against something greater, as if every fiber inside me were screaming for me to go back, to stay, to not leave her alone in that state.

But I had no choice.

And it was tearing me apart.

The sound of the door closing behind me echoed louder than it should have. Sharp. Definitive. Like a cut.

Alex walked beside me in silence, respecting the moment. He didn’t even need to say anything. He knew. He knew that any words would be useless.

The hospital corridor seemed longer than before. The cold white lights reflected off the polished floor, creating that sterile atmosphere that seemed to drain any sense of comfort.

We passed nurses.

People sitting, waiting for news.

Tired eyes.

But I didn’t see anything.

My mind was fixated on her.

On her gaze.

On the fear.

On the pain.

We stepped into the elevator.

The silence inside was suffocating.

The hum of the motor rising and falling, the faint metallic vibration... everything felt too amplified.

I ran a hand over my face.

Took a deep breath.

But the air didn't feel like enough.

When the doors opened on the first floor, I walked fast. I needed to get out of there. I needed air. I needed space.

I pushed the glass door and stepped outside.

The night air hit me.

Cold.

But not enough to calm the heat burning inside me.

My head was in chaos.

Anger.

Worry.

Fear.

All mixed.

All tangled.

All out of control.

We headed toward the parking lot. The distant sound of passing cars, the echo of footsteps, the almost space... everything added to that strange feeling of isolation.

We were almost at Alex's car when I heard it.

Footsteps.

Firm.

Heavy.

Behind us.

My entire body went on alert.

I picked up my pace.

But it didn't matter.

"This isn't over yet."

The voice hit like a trigger.

Daniel.

I stopped.

Slowly.

Took a deep breath before turning around.

And there he was.

Walking toward us.

His face was still filled with anger. His dark eyes locked onto me like they wanted to pierce right through me.

Alex let out a low sigh beside me.

"No..." he muttered. "Don't do this..."

But Daniel ignored him.

Kept walking.

"You really think you're going to keep interfering in my family?"

I stayed silent.

Waiting.

Controlling myself.

He got closer.

Too close.

"Stay away from my wife."

My jaw tightened.

"She's not your wife anymore."

The answer came out automatically.

Cold.

Without hesitation.

His eyes darkened even more.

"Stay away from her..." he repeated, his voice lower now. "Or you're going to die."

Silence fell heavily.

This wasn't an argument anymore.

It was a threat.

Direct.

Clear.

Alex stepped forward.

"Daniel, you…”

I raised my hand, stopping him.

Without taking my eyes off Daniel.

I stepped forward too.

"I'm not afraid of you."

My voice came out steady.

Controlled.

But loaded.

"If I have to face the world for Isabela... I will."

He let out a short, mocking laugh.

"You're just a kid."

I tilted my head slightly.

"And you're a coward."

The air shifted.

Denser.

Heavier.

"I'm not going to stay away from her," I continued. "No matter what you say, what you do."

I took another step.

"The one who should get out of her life is you. Isabela can't stand you. It's over."

That was enough.

He shoved me.

Hard.

My body stepped back.

And in that second...

I lost control.

I shoved him back.

"Don't touch me, fuck!"

And then the punch came.

My fist hit his face hard.

The impact vibrated through my arm.

He staggered.

But didn't fall.

He came at me.

And hit me back.

My head snapped to the side with the blow.

And then...

Everything exploded.

No control.

No brakes.

Punches.

Shoves.

Heavy breathing.

Months of built-up anger were released all at once.

I dodged.

Struck.

Tasted metal in my mouth.

But I didn't stop.

Couldn't stop.

It was more than a fight.

It was everything.

Everything I had held in.

Everything I wanted to say.

Everything I wanted to do.

Alex was shouting.

"Hey! Stop! Are you guys insane?!"

But it sounded distant.

Like it was coming from somewhere else.

Daniel tried to hit me again.

I dodged.

And landed another punch.

Then another.

And another.

He fell.

But I kept going.

One after another.

Without stopping.

Without thinking.

Until hands grabbed me.

Strong.

Firm.

Security.

Two.

Three.

They held me.

Pulled me back.

My breathing was out of control.

My chest is rising and falling too fast.

Daniel's face was covered in blood.

Mine probably was too.

But I didn't feel it.

Didn't matter.

I pointed at him.

Still being held.

"Don't you remember the last beating I gave you in your office?"

He stared at me with pure hatred.

I spat on the ground beside him.

"Want a replay?"

My voice came out hoarse.

Loaded.

"Then take this, you son of a bitch."

The security guards still kept us apart.

But I wasn't done.

I wasn't going to be.

"Just to make it very clear..."

I took a step forward, even being held.

"I'm not staying away from Isabela."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Whether you like it or not."

Another step.

"I only leave her life if she asks me to. If she wants it."

Silence.

Heavy.

Final.

"Until then... you're going to have to swallow me."

Another step.

"You're going to have to deal with me."

Another.

"You're going to have to put up with me."

He didn't respond.

But his look said everything.

Pure hatred.

Alex placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go..."

I took a deep breath.

Adrenaline is still running through my veins.

But I nodded.

Let them pull me away.

We got into the car.

Silence returned.

Heavy.

Loaded.

After a few seconds, Alex said,

"You're crazy."

I ran a hand over my face.

I felt the cut on my lip sting.

"Maybe."

He sighed.

"That could've gone really bad."

I looked out the window.

The city passes by.

Indifferent.

"It already did."

He glanced at me.

"You don't regret it, do you?"

I shook my head.

"No."

And it was true.

I didn't regret it.

Not for a second.

We drove to his building.

My car was still there.

He stopped.

"You going back to the hospital?"

"I am."

He gave a half-smile.

"Of course you are..."

I opened the door.

"Thanks for everything."

"Call me if anything happens."

I nodded.

Got out.

Got into my car.

But instead of going straight back to the hospital...

I went home.

I needed a minute.

Just one.

As soon as I walked in, I went straight to the bathroom.

Took off my shirt, still from the game.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

Cut lip.

Bruises are starting to form.

Tired.

Heavy.

I turned on the shower.

Hot water fell over my body.

But it didn't relax me.

Didn't calm me.

Nothing did.

Because my mind was still there.

With her.

Alone.

In that bed.

I closed my eyes.

Took a deep breath.

Finished quickly.

Got out.

Got dressed.

Grabbed my keys.

And left again.

Without thinking twice.

Because nothing else mattered.

Not the fight.

Not the pain.

Not anything.

I needed to go back.

I needed to be with her.

Because, at that moment...

The only place I wanted to be...

Was by Isabela's side.