Chapter 5: Will You Torment Me Forever?

Isabella's POV

Hurried footsteps approached, and the door was violently thrown open with a loud "bang." Ethan's grandmother rushed in, followed closely by my mother.

"Ethan, what on earth are you doing?" Ethan's grandmother roared, her voice filled with fury.

Mom lunged forward and embraced me, squeezing so tightly I could barely breathe. "Isabella, are you alright?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked out, "Mom..."

She whirled toward Ethan. "You bastard, what have you done to my daughter?" Her voice trembled with rage.

Ethan stood there coldly. "I merely invited my stepsister home as a guest. Is there a problem?" His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Mom held me tighter, crying out, "You call this inviting her as a guest? Last time you kidnapped her and had her beaten until she was covered in bruises. If I hadn't lied about canceling the wedding, who knows what you would have done to her. You forced her to cut off her beautiful long hair, and still you won't leave her alone. What exactly do you want?" Her voice broke with anguish.

I felt touched, realizing Mom still cared about me after all. I cried out helplessly, "Mom, I lost my job, got evicted by my landlord, and no hotel or motel would let me stay. My phone and luggage were stolen... I didn't know what to do..."

"Well done, Ethan," said a girl who resembled him standing by his side—must be his sister, Olivia Black. Her lips curled into a smug smile, her tone full of provocation, as if waiting to enjoy the show.

I glanced back timidly and saw Ethan's impassive face. He ignored Olivia, silently finishing his drink without a word.

Ethan's grandmother's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, filled with indignation. "You little devil, you've gone too far. No one has ever been able to control you, and now you're getting worse. If you harm Aria's daughter again, I won't let you off so easily."

Ethan's grandmother turned to me, her tone softening. "Don't be afraid, dear. With me here, he won't dare hurt you. Let's go..."

Ethan's grandmother held my hand tightly. For a moment, I felt a hint of safety and comfort. Her kindness and protective nature reminded me of my grandmother back home. I missed her warm smile and how she always made everything feel better.

Back at the neighboring Black family mansion, Ethan's grandmother arranged a guest room for me, providing toiletries and a change of clothes. I finally had a moment to breathe.

The next morning, my mother knocked gently on the door. "Isabella, did you sleep well last night?"

I nodded, "Yes, Mom."

Guilt filled her eyes. "Isabella, I know you're going through a difficult time right now. It's all my fault," she said, her voice breaking.

I shook my head, my expression resigned. "As long as you're happy, Mom."

She sighed, her voice full of regret. "Ethan's grandmother Nora seems to like you very much. You can stay here safely. With her around, Ethan won't dare bother you."

"Does he live here?" I asked anxiously.

She shook her head. "No, he moved to the neighboring estate two years ago after his parents' divorce."

I hesitated before asking, "Mom, did you really break up someone's marriage?"

Her expression tightened. "No, Isabella."

"But three years ago, you brought Jasper to visit me at college. He wasn't divorced then, was he?"

Her voice grew tense. "Isabella, you don't understand. Jasper and his ex-wife had already grown apart emotionally. Love doesn't follow a schedule."

Disappointment filled my eyes. "Love may not have a schedule, but marriage does..."

Our conversation lapsed into uncomfortable silence, neither of us willing to continue. Finally, my mother reminded me to come down for breakfast and then left.

During my days at the Black estate in New York's Upper East Side, Nora's kindness brought me a sense of warmth. She constantly looked after me, providing various comforts. She even insisted I stay permanently.

"Don't worry, dear," Nora reassured me. "With me here, Ethan won't dare lay a finger on you. I'm your grandmother too, we're family. You're safe here. Why don't you stay with us forever?"

My mother agreed. "Ethan hasn't set foot in this house for two years. You'll be safe here."

For the first time in days, I felt a hint of relief. "Okay, I'll stay."

However, Olivia was not pleased with my presence. She stormed out, threatening that Ethan would teach me a lesson!

In the afternoon, I was resting in the guest room when the door was suddenly kicked open. Ethan stood there, his eyes burning like fire.

I sat up abruptly, my heart pounding like a drum. "How did you get in here? Get out! Your grandmother is just downstairs!"

Before I could react, Ethan grabbed my arm and dragged me out, all the way down the stairs. His hand was like iron, my ankles twisted several times, and my knees slammed against the banister, leaving me in so much pain I could barely stand. I screamed, "Help! Mom! Grandma!" But my cries only echoed through the empty hallway—no one came.

"Let me go! Mom... Grandma... Help me!" I screamed, my voice breaking with fear and pain.

Ethan shoved me into the backseat of his car and slammed the door shut. I pressed against the window, my palms flat against the cold glass, helplessly watching my mother and Nora chasing after the car, their figures and angry curses growing smaller in the distance until they finally disappeared.

The atmosphere inside the car was suffocating. Ethan remained silent, his cold eyes fixed on the road ahead, not even glancing at me.

I huddled in the corner, trembling all over. What was he going to do with me? I didn't know, but I knew it wouldn't end well.

"If my mom doesn't agree to a divorce, will you torment me forever?" I asked, my voice filled with despair.

Ethan's phone suddenly rang. He frowned, glanced at the caller ID, and promptly turned it off. The car fell into an even deeper silence.

After a moment, Ethan's eyes flashed dangerously as he glanced at me. "Who gave you the courage to stay in my house?"