Chapter 7
On the drive back, Edward’s nerves were shot. All he wanted was to step into his home and find everything just as he’d left it. He pictured Isabella waiting at the door, having cooked his favorite meal. But as he pulled into the driveway, the house was eerily silent.”
Without even turning off the car, he sprinted to the front door. The moment he stepped inside, his heart dropped. Where their magnificent wedding photo once hung was now just a bare wall. Frantically, he searched every room in the sprawling house, but it was like Isabella had vanished into thin air. Her clothes, her jewelry, her pictures–all gone. Even her little shopping tote had disappeared, leaving no trace of her existence.
Edward slumped onto the sofa, grabbing his phone and dialing her number over and over. More than a hundred calls went unanswered, and he felt himself unraveling.
In frustration, he flung his phone across the room. Following its path, he noticed the loose tile, which was a secret he’d arranged with the contractor while Isabella was out. It was the only link in their home to Judy.
He dashed over and found the recorder beneath. Enraged, he kicked the tile, shattering it, and the shards flew up, cutting his skin. In a moment of desperation, he slapped himself twice, realizing for the first time what a fool he’d been. Isabella had left quietly, without a
scene.
Just then, his phone rang. It was Judy, the name that used to make his heart skip. Now, it only irritated him because he was waiting for Tim’s call. Why was Judy reaching out now, of all times? Without a second thought, Edward rejected her call and blocked her number. He figured he’d deal with Judy after hearing from Tim.
As if on cue, Tim’s call came through. Edward answered immediately.}
Tim hesitated on the line, “Edward, your wife… she’s left the country. Should we keep looking?“}
“Book the tickets,” Edward replied without missing a beat.
“But… the company needs you right now. And your brother away. Maybe you and Judy could…”
“Book the tickets! Now!” Edward’s frustration spilled over, and Tim quickly agreed.
After hanging up, Edward thought about Judy, still on the blocked list. But somehow, he just couldn’t bring himself to unblock her yet.)
