Chapter 40 - Heartbreak

Edmund left soon after they had breakfast. Isabella was not only feeling disappointed, she was suffering a heartbreak.

She knew they could not have been more different from the very beginning, and she was aware that sooner or later they were bound to follow their own separate paths, yet she was still unprepared for the painful sensation his words triggered in her body.

‘Was this what fate had in store for me? To encounter the man of my dreams, have him and then lose him in a matter of days?’

Not even for a split second did she regret meeting him, or for what it mattered, signing that contract, but it was clear for her that he did not think the same.

There were too many things left unsaid between the two of them, and now it was too late to talk, he decided to send her away.

It troubled her to the bones that after having such an exquisite night, he was so keen to get rid of her without a proper conversation. She had burned for him, and he claimed her as his own, tending to her needs over and over again.

‘I’m pretty sure he ruined me for any other man.’

Isabella was sure that she would never encounter a more dashing man than him, and even more desolating, she was certain that she would spend the rest of her life trying to find pieces of him in other strangers.

‘Anyway, the driver is waiting for me outside! I should bid my farewell to the house staff and leave! Though I’ll miss this place, there is nothing for me to do here. Not anymore…’

She took another look at the room she briefly shared with Edmund, and with a tear rolling down her cheek, she left.

‘Goodbye, my love! I’ll never forget you!’

* * *

It’s been a week since Isabella left for the UK, and Edmund found breathing normally an impossible task since then.

‘Did I make a mistake?’ He shook his head. ‘No, I gave her what she desired. And that contract was horrible, why force her to be stuck with me because of that document?’

“Are you coming or not?” Jason pulled him out of his train of thoughts. “The visiting hours are ending soon.”

It was the first time Edmund stepped foot into a prison. It was cold and gloomy, he almost regretted that he sent Moira there.

“I know what you are thinking, but after I interrogated Alec's man again, he confirmed that your cousin was the mastermind. Alec was more like a mere puppet.”

“I know, you already informed me about the other attempts on our lives that she made.”

Jason delivered a full report on Moira’s actions, shocking Edmund to the core with everything she had tried to pull in the past, from business sabotage to small accidents.

“What about Regina?” He asked.

“I’ve dealt with her as well, she is gone.”

Edmund was enraged every time his ex crossed his mind. “Was it clear that I’ll ruin her life with a simple phone call if she ever crosses paths with me?”

“Oh, I made that crystal clear. You will never see her again.”

A few minutes later, a guard brought Moira. She looked as if she aged years in a matter of days.

“You look awful!” Edmund voiced his thoughts, his heart twisting in his chest when his eyes settled on her.

It was difficult for him to hate her, he had to deal with the fact that even after what she did, he would never stop caring for her.

“Thanks! What can I say? Prison is rather charming, and I am not granted any spa access!” She smiled painfully. “But tell me, are you here to gloat about winning?”

“Winning what, Moira? What exactly did I win? My brother and his wife are under medical care, my ex only wanted my money, I found a great woman that I treated badly, and my cousin, whom I loved as a little sister not only betrayed me, but tried to kill my entire family! Can you please tell me, what should I boast about first? I’m fucking confused!” The tone of his voice mirrored the pain inside.

Even Moira was rendered speechless, and if there was a hint of remorse in her eyes, she was quick to dismiss it, putting her cold mask back on.

“Then why are you here? I doubt that because you miss me.”

“I just wanted to let you know that I moved my uncle, your father, to a better medical facility. I covered the bill in advance, and he will receive the best medical treatment possible!”

“You’re lying! Why would you help my father after what I did?”

“Because he is family. If only you would have confided in me when you had problems, instead of feeding on hate and making mistake after mistake!”

Tears were pricking her eyes, but she would not allow him to get to her. It would mean that she was wrong, and it would be her fault she was in such a mess.

“Well, now it’s too late! What was done can’t be undone!” She declared.

“Perhaps. I pressed charges, but I also hired the best lawyer for you. You need to take responsibility for your actions, and you’ll have time to reflect on what you did.”

“Are you expecting a ‘thank you’ from me?”

“I have no expectations from you! But if when you get out, you’ll have no ill feelings, you can pay me a visit and I’ll help you get on your feet.”

“When, Edmund, when will that happen? After I would have spent years and years in prison, after I would have spent my youth here?”

“That’s on you, my dear. Don’t blame me for your misjudgment.”

Deep down, she knew that he was a better person than her, but she refused to accept the truth.

“If you have nothing else to say, you can just take your leave!” Moira pushed forward. “Guard, I want to return to my cell!”

“Let’s go!” Edmund told Jason that kept to himself all along.

* * *

An entire month passed since Isabella left New York, and that same amount of time passed since she saw or even talked to Edmund.

Sure, it was nice that she got to spend time with Luisa, to discuss the family issues they had, to brush off the misunderstandings, but there was a hole in her heart that was growing deeper and deeper with each night she cried herself to sleep.

“You miss him, don’t you?” Luisa squeezed her sister’s shoulders with affection. “You never told me what happened between you and Edmund, but I can tell that you have feelings for him. And Noah noticed that his brother has feelings for you as well. Why are the two of you stubborn?”

Isabella refused to meet Luisa’s gaze, she was afraid that her sister would read into her shattered soul and she would have no other option than to spill everything. Her sister was feeling better, but Isabella refused to upset her.

“Do you mind if I go for a walk?” She pleaded.

“Not at all. I feel sleepy anyway. But please, try to confide in me, I hate to watch you miserable! Even if I am not able to help you in any way, it would do you good to get it off your chest!”

Isabella nodded and rushed out the door. She needed air. She needed time alone.

There was a marvelous garden that surrounded the house, a truly breathtaking gift from nature, and she made a habit of exploring it, sometimes barefoot, whenever she felt the need to fill her lungs with fresh air.

“I always loved this spot as well!” A voice that sent shivers down her spine, that had the power to turn Heaven into Hell and the other way around.

HIS voice.

She slowly turned around to check if she was dreaming or if he was really there.