Chapter 3: Bite Him to Death

Isabella's POV

I jolted awake from my nightmare, my heart pounding like a drum, my breathing rapid and shallow. Ethan's laughter still echoed in my ears, and it took me a moment to confirm that I was lying in my bed, not in that hell. Touching my short hair, the unfamiliar sensation reminded me that everything was not a dream.

My boss Daniel had kept his promise and given me a decent bonus. But the thought of Ethan having that video made my heart sink like it was filled with lead.

Before heading to work, my phone rang. I checked the screen—it was my mother.

"Hi, Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Isabella, we just got back from our honeymoon yesterday. It was too late to call you. How are you doing?" my mother's voice was warm but carried a hint of concern.

"I'm fine, Mom," I forced out the words, though I was anything but fine.

"Last night we had an argument with Ethan, it was quite unpleasant. I'm afraid he might cause you trouble again. Why don't you come back to our hometown for a while?" Mom suggested.

I felt a surge of frustration. "Mom, can't you just leave him for my sake?"

"How can you be so selfish? Making me give up my happiness—" Before she could finish, I hung up the phone.

Her words stabbed into my chest like a knife. In her eyes, my life was not as valuable as her marriage.

When I was six, my father died from an illness. After my mother remarried, she left me in the countryside with my grandmother. I had to face bullying and the hardships of rural life.

Although my mother would occasionally visit and provide enough money for living expenses and education, it couldn't make up for the love I missed from her.

Her second marriage ended in divorce, and unwilling to be alone, she married again.

This time, she was fortunate enough to marry into a wealthy family and found a man who truly loved her. But for me, it was a nightmare. Her new husband was Ethan's father, and Ethan believed she had ruined his family. He was full of resentment toward me and my mother, and he took out that resentment on me.

I arrived at the office, trying to shake off the unease from my conversation with my mother. As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed the somber faces around me. My manager Daniel approached me with an apologetic expression.

"Isabella, I'm really sorry, but we have to let you go," he said softly.

My legs weakened, as if the whole world had collapsed. "Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ethan called last night. The company can't withstand his pressure," he sighed, his face full of regret.

I nodded numbly, accepting the severance envelope he handed me. Three months' pay. I quietly packed my things, listening to the hushed whispers of my coworkers.

"Don't cross Ethan," Daniel said as I was about to leave. "He's not someone you can fight against."

I didn't respond. I never intended to provoke him. I just wanted a peaceful life.

After leaving the office, I returned to my small apartment. The landlord was waiting at the door.

"I'm sorry, Isabella, but you have to leave. I can't afford to have any trouble here," he said, avoiding my eyes.

My throat tightened, but I nodded. "I understand."

I packed my belongings into two suitcases and left the apartment without a word. I wandered to a nearby park and sat on a bench, watching the world go by. I felt numb, unable to process everything that had happened.

As night fell, I decided to find a hotel to stay in. I dragged my luggage from one hotel to another, but each time I presented my ID, the front desk would frown and shake their head. Someone whispered "blacklist," and I realized it was Ethan's doing. By midnight, I was exhausted, with only despair left.

Dragging my suitcases through the streets, my feet aching and my spirit broken, I tried over a dozen hotels, but none would take me in. As I wandered, a man suddenly snatched my bag and ran off. My phone was inside.

"Help! Someone help!" I shouted, but the busy streets ignored my pleas. People walked past me, indifferent to my cries.

I collapsed in a corner of the street, and the tears I had held back all day finally flowed freely. At twenty-four, I was still young, with my own dreams and ambitions. I had come to this city not only to build my career but also hoping to experience even a tiny bit of maternal love from a mother who had always been distant to me.

I curled up against the wall, knees pulled to my chest, feeling completely broken. What had I done wrong? Why was I being punished like this?

The night deepened, and I huddled in the corner, shivering from the cold. Footsteps approached, and a pair of expensive black leather shoes stopped in front of me. I looked up to see that hateful face. Ethan stood there, with an arrogant smile on his lips.

"Well, well, look at this poor little stray cat," he mocked.

Fear and rage exploded in my chest. I jumped to my feet, but he grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. I was done for, but hatred made me lose all rationality. A whole day of humiliation surged up, and I lunged forward, biting his arm hard. My teeth tore into his flesh, the taste of blood filling my mouth, like going back to my childhood—those village kids who bullied me eventually became afraid of my teeth.

I wanted to bite this bastard to death.

He didn't flinch. Instead, he let out a low, cold laugh that sent chills down my spine. "You've got guts, little cat."

His bodyguards rushed forward, but he raised his hand to stop them. "I'll deal with her myself."

I came to my senses, tears welling up. "Please, Ethan, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

He ignored my pleas, gripping my arm and dragging me toward a waiting car. I stumbled and resisted, but he threw me into the back seat with one swift motion. The door slammed shut with a "bang," as if locking away my fate.

As the car started, he turned to look at me, his eyes cold. "Sorry? You think an apology is enough? No, Isabella, this is just the beginning."