Chapter 6X
“Where’s the food?” someone asked aloud. “I thought this was supposed to be a full–course dinner?” another guest added, checking their watch.
The birthday celebration was supposed to be flawless. But instead of elegance, chaos unfolded. People were growing restless. Murmurs spread like wildfim. Champagne glasses remained untouched. Whispers laced with confusion floated through the air.
At the center of it all stood Gregory, the family patriarch, his face reddening by the second. “Where is Isabella?” he demanded, his voice booming over the murmurs. “Who’s responsible for this mess? Didn’t I tell her to make sure everything’s perfect? Why is she not here yet?
Jasmine stood near the center table, brushing nonexistent lint from her dress. She tried to appear calm, but her narrowed eyes betrayed her imitation. “This is what happens when you let her handle something important,” she muttered. “I told you not to rely on her.” Meanwhile, Kevin was frowning at his phone. Dozens of missed calls. Unread messages. And then–one that stopped him cold. “Don’t worry. You’ll never hurt me again. This is the last time you’ll hear from me. Enjoy the party. I sent you a gift–all three of you. Goodbye,”
His fingers went still. He stared at the message, numb. He didn’t know how to respond
“What is it?” Jasmine asked, walking over and snatching the phone before he could stop her “What the hell is she talking about?”
She paled as she read the message–but only for show. Deep down, a wave of satisfaction washed over her. Finally. It was happening. The woman she always considered a rival was finally out of the picture. Still, keeping up appearances, she masked her smirk, turned sharply on her heels, and stormed toward her father with the phone clutched in hand.
“Dad!” Jasmine called. “I think you need to see this.”
Gregory barely had time to respond when a butler approached, holding a sleek black box. “A delivery, sir. Marked as urgent.T Gregory opened it–and went still.2
Inside were divorce papers. A wedding ring. And a sealed envelope containing screenshots and time-stamped documents. The room fell silent!
“She’s divorcing you” Gregory said, turning to Kevin. His voice was low, but the fury was unmistakable. “What is going on here?””
People nearby overheard. Someone whispered, “Divorce?”
“I thought he was married to Jasmine? Who are they talking?”
“Who’s Isabella?”
Kevin stumbled forward, grabbing the papers. This–this isn’t real. I didn’t sign any-“8
But then he saw it. His own signature.
The memory came rushing back–how Isabella had helped him with paperwork earlier that week. She’d flipped pages for him, handed him a pen. He hadn’t read them. She had slipped them in. And now it was done.
Before he could even speak, the lights dimmed. A video flickered on the large screen that had been prepared for Gregory’s birthday montage
But it wasn’t a tribute. It was a recording–security footage. Of Kevin and Jasmine. In his study. Embracing.
Jasmine let out a sharp gasp. Turn it off” she yelled, her voice high–pitched.
But it was too late. The room had fallen silent, except for the sounds from the screen and the quiet murmurs of guests exchanging glances
Gregory slammed his cane on the floor. “What is this mess?!” he bellowed. “Find Isabella! Now!”
Kevin lingered at the edge of the room, his limbs suddenly unresponsive, the distant hum of the party flickering like candlelight in the penphery of his mind. Jasmine’s breath hitched beside him.X
“Kevin! What are you doing?” she demanded, her voice sharp as broken glass. “You need to do something–punish her!”
Kevin blinked as the words landed. He’d been frozen, a crippled vessel of dread. But now, Jasmine’s urging jolted him into action. His fingers fumbled for his phone, dialing Isabella’s number–1:
No answer. Then again–blocked. Time in the room throbbed like a drum. He tried again. Nothing
“Come on,” he muttered, voice tremulous. “Pick up.”
Jasmine placed a hand on his arm, her tone urgent yet tinged with something unfamiliar–concem? Relief? “Kevin, you can’t just stand here. Do something“”s
He opened his mouth to answer, but found no words. Then, he ran out and drove back home.X
Kevin burst through the front door of the house, chest heaving, mind racing
“Isabella!” he called, his voice echoing through the silent entryway
There was no answer. He kicked off his shoes hastily, bolting across the marble floor, half–hoping she’d appear from the hallway, arms crossed ready to argue or scold him like old times. But the stillness mocked him. The silence was too deep, too final!!
He sprinted up the staircase, taking two steps at a time, his heart pounding not from the climb–but from dread
He flung open the bedroom door. And stopped cold
The room was empty. Not just empty–but stripped Bare
Her clothes were gone. Her perfume. The photos of their wedding. The notes she used to leave on the nightstand. Even her favorite
414 PM
The room was empty. Not just empty–but stopped. Bare.
Her clothes were gone. Her perfume. The photos of their wedding. The notes she used to leave on the nightstand. Even her favorite
lavender candle–snuffed out and left behind like a silent goodbye!!
He walked slowly inside, dragging his hand across the surface of her old dresser, as if touching it would explain where she went. But there was no answer. Only the hollow thud of absence.
He staggered back a step before his knees gave out dropping him beside the bed. Hands gripping the comforter like it might hold her scent–some last remnant of her.
“Isabella?” he whispered.
No reply.
Just then, Jasmine’s heels clicked softly down the hall. She appeared in the doorway, breathless. “Kevin? What the hell are you doing? Did you find her?”
He didn’t answer.
Jasmine crossed the threshold, her tone sharper. “Kevin! She humiliated us in front of everyone! You need to do something–punish her!” Still, he said nothing. His hand slid from the mattress to the floor, fingers curling into fists.
She stepped closer. “You need to stop her. Get her back. You’re just going to sit here?”
“I don’t think she’s coming back,” he said, voice hollow.
“What?”
“She’s gone
He picked up his phone again. Called. Blocked. Again. Sull blocked.
The air in the room felt colder now!!
He turned away from Jasmine, his shoulders sagging under the weight of something he couldn’t name.!!
“She left he whispered again, more to himself this time. “She really left…”
And then he dropped his head onto the edge of the bed, the grief finally seeping through his skin
“Where the hell are you, Isabella he breathed!
