The Contracted Marriage Five-Years Lie

am so, s

bedside, her hands

rimmed, her usual

t it. He didn' t mean

her, his face a

, Isabella," Ethan s

a sharp pain lanci

he stated, reaching for t

and shot out,

n, don' t." Her v

dy will be furious. It

ed to destroy me, Isabella.

e. But please... for me. I' ll make sure he' s pu

pleaded

n transgresses, Isabella pr

as expected

led his hand

f he called the police, Isabella would find

r brother. She alwa

pillows, a profound wea

e no justice.

rd tasting like ash in

la' s face. "Thank yo

bringing him water, a

another velvet box.

" she said, her voice trembl

en it. Probably more je

elp, Isabella," Ethan

at every time you shield him, you

I just... I love him. I ca

asked, his gaze unwavering

away, tears well

hispered. "You' re strong,

s weak? Is th

said simply. "Lik

air between them, a s

t expected her to use Clara agai

trange, twisted l

memory was all-consuming,

owever destructive, came from a similar p

ond. There was

ssion crossed I

ant when looking at him, now he

ent? Je

e asked, her voice barely a whisper.

ckery, but he did

imply. There was no

oked down a

etched, thick a

rang, shattering

her attention imm

eady moving towards the door, her co

voice a low murmur as

n in his body a dull echo

o incredibly ti

ya. It couldn' t

eturned, her face was

t. He feels terrible

probably felt terrible that

pologize," Isa

t to see him,

rhaps this is a good time. Fo

ed at h

a," Ethan stated, not a que

vered the next words

vasectomy. I never wanted

Isabella' s face. She s

hing else – a dawning horro

?" she final

than repeated. "

could have... a family

e desperation he' d seen in

could somehow fix their br

ind him to h

ed, her voice rising. "You have to

astounding in

ith a fierce, almost pos

his choices, wer

contract is ending. We are getting divorced

r, his patienc

e no children

. The fight seeme

ed, as if hearing the

igned so carelessly meant no