Chapter 43 Thriving on Her Desperation
Isabella looked at her curiously and sketched a question mark on the paper.
Amara explained, "You are wondering how I saw the list? I am one of the judges for this competition. I am so glad you are participating, but... with your condition right now, can you even make it through?"
Isabella shook her head. She was not sure if she could compete. Her physical state was one thing, but the real problem was her mind—completely blank, devoid of any inspiration.
Amara squeezed her hand. "Isabella, you have to go."
Isabella stared at the tears welling in her eyes, still not understanding why she was so kind to her.
"Isabella, chase your dreams fearlessly. Do not let anyone hold you back."
Dreams?
Her dreams had died the day Beatrice passed away.
Amara sensed her weakening energy and said tenderly, "Isabella, whenever you need me, I will be there. So do not suffer alone. If something happens, you have to reach out to me. Promise?"
Isabella's eyes flickered—someone had once said the exact same thing to her.
Beatrice had sworn she would never leave Isabella to face the darkness alone.
But promises are fragile… and Beatrice shattered hers.
She was gone—crossing the unseen threshold into another world. And Isabella was left behind, a prisoner in William's shadow.
Amara picked up her phone, saved herself back into Isabella's contacts, and left several backup numbers.
"You can reach me at any of these. Take care of yourself."
Isabella nodded, and only then did Amara leave with a smile.
The hospital room fell eerily silent. Lately, Isabella had even started experiencing tinnitus—brief moments where she could not hear anything at all.
Once the IV finished, she checked herself out. The moment she stepped outside, she saw Ambrose getting out of his car.
Her instinct was immediate—she turned and ran in the opposite direction.
She prayed he had not seen her. He was the last person she wanted to face right now.
Ambrose had seen those videos. He must think she was filthy. Anyone could judge her, but she could not bear to hear those words from him.
"Isabella, wait!" Ambrose called from behind her.
Isabella was too weak to outrun him. Within seconds, he caught up.
Ambrose grabbed her wrist. Isabella yanked it away violently.
She kept her head down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Isabella, why will you not answer my messages? Why will you not take my calls? Why did you block me?"
Isabella did not respond—all of that was William's doing.
"I was too forward before. I am sorry."
She turned to leave. He quickly stepped in front of her.
"You do not have to avoid me. I did not watch the video William sent."
Isabella froze.
He continued, "I already know about all the rumors surrounding you, including the videos circulating online. I have seen everything."
Of course... he knew everything.
"But so what? I never believed you were that kind of person. I just feel sorry for what you have been through. I have already taken down all those videos. No one will insult you online anymore."
When Ambrose had discovered what happened, he had nearly lost control from rage.
What made him even angrier was William's indifference.
No matter how much he hated Isabella, she was still his wife in name. How could he be so heartless as to let her be humiliated in public?
Ambrose immediately used his connections to suppress the videos, giving her back some peace.
Isabella looked up, tears brimming in her eyes.
"The Isabella I know is the purest, kindest person in the world. You would never be jealous of your own sister, and you would never covet your brother-in-law. I believe there is more to this story. Am I right?"
He could tell Isabella did not love William. Someone as proud as her would never willingly stay by his side.
But he could not figure out why.
His instincts told him—William must be holding something over her, forcing her to comply.
If only Isabella would ask for his help, he would do anything to get her out of this nightmare.
"Isabella, no matter what happens, I believe you. I can see you are miserable with him. Every time I see you, you are hurt. Leave him. Please."
Isabella shook her head frantically. She could not leave William—she had to honor Beatrice's dying wish and stay by his side.
Ambrose held her shoulders, feeling nothing but bone beneath the fabric.
"Isabella, I can take you away from here."
Suddenly, a sharp car horn blared, cutting through the moment. Isabella turned, her pupils widening in terror.
William sat in the car, his predatory gaze locked on her. The moment his eyes landed on her shoulders, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
Isabella immediately shoved Ambrose's hands away, stumbling backward.
Almost simultaneously, she forced out the words, her voice raw: "Go... just go."
Ambrose knew her situation. How could he possibly leave? Instead, he stepped in front of her.
"You do not have to be afraid of him. I can protect you."
William stepped out of the car, his presence suffocating the air around them.
Several bodyguards followed, quickly surrounding them both.
He stopped three steps away and commanded coldly, "Isabella. Come here."
She started to move toward him, but Ambrose grabbed her arm.
"William, you are not taking her anywhere."
William was not in the mood for games today. He glanced at his bodyguards. They understood immediately. One of them threw a punch at Ambrose.
Ambrose fought back, but against trained professionals, he did not stand a chance. Within seconds, they had him pinned to the ground, fists raining down on him.
Isabella rushed forward, trying to pull them off. "Stop... do not hurt him..."
William watched her—barely able to stand, yet still defending Ambrose. His rage ignited like gasoline catching fire.
He strode forward and yanked Isabella toward him.
She looked at Ambrose, bleeding on the pavement, and choked out, "Let him go. Please. Stop."
When she opened her mouth, William saw the blood still streaking her gums, yet she was still begging for Ambrose.
"Keep going."
Isabella was such a fool—she should not have spoken up for Ambrose.
William wanted to see her suffer. The more desperate she became, the more he enjoyed it.
She lowered her eyes, refusing to watch—once William got bored, he would stop on his own.
Passersby saw what was happening but did not dare call the police. With William's presence alone, no one dared intervene.
William decided it was enough. He opened the car door and dragged Isabella inside.
Ambrose saw her being pulled into the car and struggled to his feet. Through the window, he watched William's hand close around her throat, crushing his mouth against hers.
That was not enough. William ripped her shirt open, tearing off her bra in one brutal motion.
Ambrose lunged forward, but the car was already moving. He ran after it with everything he had, but in the end, he could only watch it disappear.
He clenched his fists—no matter what it took, he would get Isabella away from William.
Inside the car, William shoved her down onto the seat, forcing her legs apart and taking her without hesitation, without mercy.
The driver sucked in a sharp breath and immediately pulled down the privacy partition.