Chapter 13
915 Words
Ethan stood frozen at the threshold, his breath caught in his throat. The sight before him sent a wave of disbelief crashing over him. Isabella, the woman he had vowed to protect, lay draped across Gabriel’s arm, her usually sharp eyes hazy and unfocused. She blinked slowly, confusion evident in the way she struggled to steady herself.
Gabriel smirked, his hand possessively resting on her waist. "Ah, Carter, what a surprise. Didn’t expect to see me with Isabella, did you?" His voice was laced with mockery, his satisfaction clear.
Ethan’s fists clenched at his sides, his nails biting into his palms. "What the hell is this?" he growled, his gaze locked onto Isabella. "Isabella, look at me."
She turned her head sluggishly, as if the movement took all her strength. Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, a shudder ran through her as she realized how close Gabriel was to her. Her entire body tensed, her breathing quickening. She looked down at herself, at the dress she didn’t remember putting on, at the man holding her upright.
"No…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No."
Ethan took a step forward, but Gabriel tightened his grip on Isabella, forcing her against him. "She came to me willingly," he said, his smirk widening. "Isn’t that right, sweetheart?"
Isabella’s eyes widened in horror. Willingly? She had no memory of how she got here, of anything that had happened. Her heart pounded against her ribs as a sickening realization settled in. She didn’t know what Gabriel had done to her.
A choked sob tore from her throat. "No," she whimpered, her fingers shaking as she tried to push Gabriel away. "No, I wouldn’t… I—"
"Isabella," Ethan called again, his voice firm but laced with concern. He could see the sheer terror in her eyes now, the way she recoiled as awareness seeped in. "What did he do to you?"
Gabriel laughed softly. "Oh, Carter, you always assume the worst. Maybe she just missed me. Maybe she finally realized where she belongs."
"Shut up!" Isabella screamed suddenly, her entire body trembling. She shoved at Gabriel with all her strength, managing to free herself from his hold. Stumbling backward, she wrapped her arms around herself, disgust twisting her features. Tears burned in her eyes as she looked down at her own hands, as if she could scrub away whatever had happened.
"You drugged me," she said, her voice breaking. "Didn’t you? You did something to me."
Gabriel’s expression didn’t change. If anything, his amusement only deepened. "Does it matter? You were here, with me. And Carter got to see it firsthand."
Ethan saw red. He lunged at Gabriel, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against the nearest wall. "You sick bastard!" he roared. "What the hell did you do to her?"
Gabriel chuckled, unfazed by Ethan’s fury. "You’re so predictable. Always rushing to save her, as if she’s still yours. But tell me, Carter, does she look untouched to you?"
A strangled sound escaped Isabella’s throat. The implication shattered what little strength she had left. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor, shaking violently. A sob wracked through her body as the shame, the horror, the utter helplessness consumed her.
Ethan’s grip tightened on Gabriel’s collar. He wanted to kill him, to wipe that smug grin off his face permanently. But Isabella’s sobs were what finally pulled him back. He turned to her, his heart breaking at the sight of her crumbling before him.
"Isabella…" He released Gabriel with a shove, not sparing him another glance as he rushed to her side. "Hey, look at me."
She shook her head, curling into herself. "He ruined me," she choked out. "I don’t know what happened. I don’t remember… What if—what if he—?"
Ethan swallowed hard, his own hands shaking as he reached for her. "No," he said firmly. "No, Isabella, listen to me. Whatever he did, whatever happened—it doesn’t define you. He doesn’t get to ruin you."
She looked up at him then, her tear-streaked face filled with so much anguish it physically hurt him to see it. "I feel sick," she whispered. "I feel dirty."
Ethan gently cupped her face, forcing her to hold his gaze. "You are not dirty. You are not ruined. You are still you. And I swear to you, we will find out exactly what he did and we will make him pay."
Gabriel chuckled from where he stood, straightening his suit. "Oh, Carter, you’re always so dramatic. But tell me, will she ever truly be yours, knowing she was here with me?"
Ethan shot him a glare filled with nothing but raw hatred. "She was never yours. And after this, she never will be."
Gabriel only smirked. "We’ll see."
Ethan ignored him, turning his full attention back to Isabella. She was still shaking, still lost in her own torment. He knew this was only the beginning of the damage Gabriel had caused, but he would not let it consume her. He would stand by her, fight for her, and ensure that Gabriel never had the chance to hurt her again.
"Come on, let’s get you out of here," he murmured, wrapping his jacket around her trembling form. He helped her to her feet, holding her steady.
As they walked away, Ethan knew one thing for certain—this was war. And Gabriel Roberts had just made the biggest mistake of his life.
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