Chapter 6
Edward flipped through the divorce papers in his hand, and it didn’t take long for him to sense something was seriously off. Every single detail about the asset division was laid out meticulously, and Isabella’s bold signature at the end screamed determination. It hit him like a wave, leaving him briefly dizzy.
He suddenly remembered what Tim had shouted when he’d rushed over earlier. Crumpling the papers in frustration, Edward stared out the car window at Tim and snapped, “Tim, what did you just say? What conversation was overheard outside the private room?“}
Tim took a deep breath and said, “That night you got wasted, I called Isabella to pick you up. We waited, but she didn’t show. Turns out, she did come and heard everything we talked about in there…“}
Confusion flickered in Edward’s eyes as Tim reached into his pocket, pulled out a voice recorder, and hit play. The device started spilling
out a conversation.
“Sir, you had me orchestrate Isabella’s abduction. Then those videos were leaked online. She’s been good to you. Don’t you think we’ve made a mistake?”
“Even if it was wrong, it had to be done. It’s the only way for Judy become a member of the Reyes family smoothly. If I can’t be with Judy, I’ll at least clear her path.“}
Edward’s rage exploded. He hurled the recorder to the ground and drove over it, then reversed to check on it. But the thing was still playing. With veins popping on his forehead, he stomped on it until it was finally silent, leaving his shirt a mess.
Turning to a wide–eyed Tim, Edward yelled, “How could you mess this up?! Didn’t we have someone watching the door? Go find out where she went! And if you can’t find Isabella, don’t bother coming back!”
As Tim bolted, Edward slumped against the car, overwhelmed by emotions he couldn’t quite place. His heartbreak over Judy had been a constant, but with Isabella, whom he’d always seen as someone he could control, things were different. He’d never really considered her feelings, assuming she’d always come running–like a stray dog grateful for scraps.
He thought about this actually. He’d often wondered, watching her sleep, if one day he couldn’t keep pretending and she would left, but he couldn’t risk it. Loosening his grip might threaten Judy, and that wasn’t a gamble he was willing to take. It was exhausting, but seeing Judy happily married to his brother made it all feel worth it. Every time someone called her Mrs. Reyes, she’d give him that secretive look they shared. It’s a little piece of their hidden world.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Edward realized those memories that once kept him going now only frustrated him. He’d never expected Isabella’s absence to stir such chaos inside hirn, but here he was, unable to focus on anything else. All he wanted was for Tim to bring news that she’d been found.§
Unable to sit still any longer, Edward got up, brushed off his clothes, and headed home, hoping for answers.}
