Chapter 5: Will You Torment Me Forever?

Isabella's POV

A rush of footsteps approached, and the door suddenly burst open. Ethan's grandma entered the room with a group of people, including my mother.

"Ethan, what on earth are you doing?" Ethan's grandma demanded angrily.

My mother rushed to my side and held me tightly. "Isabella, are you okay?"

I looked up tearfully. "Mom..."

"Ethan, you bastard! What have you done to my daughter?" she demanded, her voice shaking with anger.

Ethan stood there, his expression cold and unfeeling. "I simply invited my stepsister home as a guest. Do you have a problem with that?" he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

My mother held me tighter. "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 do you want from her?" she cried, her voice breaking.

I tried to speak, my voice trembling, eyes filled with desperation. "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..."

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

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

Ethan's grandma and my mother held my hands tightly. For a moment, I felt a hint of safety and comfort. Nora's kindness and protective nature reminded me of my grandma back home. I missed her warm smile and the way she always made everything feel better.

I saw a girl standing next to him who bore a resemblance to Ethan, and I thought that might be his sister, Olivia Black. She had a smirk on her face. "Well done, Ethan!" she taunted, her voice laced with sarcasm.

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

Ethan's grandma arranged a guest room for me, providing toiletries and a change of clothes. I finally had a moment to breathe.

The next morning, my mom 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 choking.

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

She sighed, her voice full of remorse. "Ethan's grandma seems to like you a lot. 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. Eventually, my mother reminded me to come down for breakfast and then left.

During my days at the Upper East Side mansion, Nora's kindness brought me a sense of warmth. She checked on me constantly, offering 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. You're safe here. Why don't you stay with us forever?"

My mother agreed. "Ethan hasn't stepped 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 off, threatening that Ethan would teach me a lesson!

Later that afternoon, I was resting in my room, trying to catch up on sleep. The tranquility was shattered when Ethan kicked open the door, his expression furious.

I sat up abruptly, my heart racing. "What are you doing here? Stay back. Grandma is right downstairs."

Before I could react, Ethan grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room and down the stairs. My cries for help echoed through the mansion, but 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. I pressed against the window, watching my mother and Nora chase after the car, their angry curses fading into the distance.

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 backseat, arms wrapped tightly around my legs, breathing rapidly. I had no idea what Ethan planned to do with me. The fear of the unknown made me tremble all over.

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

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