Chapter 7
When the punishment was over, Regis and Viviana didn’t spare her a single glance. They walked away without a word.
The guests followed–servers too–some sneering, some whispering, but none of them stopped. No one helped her.
Isla lay broken on the cold floor, barely conscious, pain radiating through every limb.
The lights dimmed.
Hem
And just like that, the world went dark.
It wasn’t until dawn that she managed to move. Her body screamed with every breath, but she dragged herself
to
the hospital alone.
The pack doctor looked horrified when he saw her–bruises, deep gashes, raw lashes across her back. It took nearly three hours and dress her wounds.
She nearly passed out from the pain. Her fingers were shaking so badly she snapped three nails just clutching the bed.
to clean
www
ས་གནས།Win Avon”ད་ནའ་ཆ་ན་
Not once.
Two days later, when she could finally walk without collapsing, the messages started rolling in.
All from Arabella.
en daardie that
[Mom and Dad agreed to turn your old room into a nursery. The light’s perfect in there for “our” baby. You might wanna grab your stuff before it gets tossed?]
[Rhett took me dress shopping today. I couldn’t decide, so he bought “everything“. My feet were killing me–he literally massaged them on the spot. I swear, he’s too good to me.]
Each photo came with a caption. Rhett’s hand on Arabella’s belly. Rhett kneeling at her feet. Rhett smiling like he was exactly where he wanted to be.
Isla felt nothing.
Just… numb
She didn’t reply. Not once.
When her wounds had finally started to scab over, she packed her things.
Only the essentials: ID, a few documents, the clothes on her back.
Everything else? She threw out.
A maid spotted her and hesitated before speaking. “Miss Isla… Miss Arabella said you could move into the basement suite. It doesn’t get much light, but there’s plenty of space. You don’t have to throw everything away…”
Isla looked around at the now–empty room. Her voice was quiet. Flat.
“No need. I won’t be staying. I’m leaving Grayscale for good.”
The maid blinked, caught off guard. “You’re not coming back?”
Before Isla could respond, the door creaked open.
Rhett stepped inside.
“Who’s not coming back?”
Chapter 7
GoodShort
Arm entr
The maid froze, but before she could answer, Arabella waltzed out from the bedroom in silk loungewear. “Babe, you’re early! I haven’t even done my makeup yet.”
Rhett gave her a lazy smile and walked right past Isla.
He hooked a finger under Arabella’s chin and said, “Take your time. I’ll wait.”
They disappeared into the bedroom, door closing behind them.
Isla didn’t even blink.
She finished zipping her suitcase, not saying a word.
The rest of the day, the house was filled with giggles and whispers and the sound of Rhett and Arabella being disgustingly in love. He made her breakfast himself, feeding her bite by bite.
He watched movies with her, explaining the plot twists like it was something sacred they shared.
He kissed her on the balcony, letting her lipstick stain his collar, looking like he didn’t care about anything else in the world.
The maids saw everything–and whispered accordingly.
“They’re basically married already, even without the mark. Can’t keep their hands off each other.”
“Arabella’s been spoiled since she was born. Now she’s got Rhett wrapped around her little finger? She’s never going to hear the word ‘no‘ again.”
“Poor Isla though… Raised in the same house but treated like a ghost. And now this? Falls for a guy who ends up being her sister’s mate? That’s cruel.”
Isla stood behind the door, listening.
She didn’t flinch.
She used to wonder why it always hurt so much. Why nothing ever stayed. But after everything–she stopped needing answers.
If something had to be fought for–forced, chased, stolen-
Then it was never really hers to begin with.
Not family.
Not love.
And certainly not him.
She didn’t want it anymore.
She just wanted out.
Once and for all.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.