UNTIL HE REMEMBERS ME

Chapter 4

The sharp click of high heels echoed against the marble tiles, each step commanding attention, authority, and silence.

Every worker straightened immediately, adjusting their posture, fixing their gaze.

Alexander's eyes shifted toward the entrance, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"What's going on here?" Camila's voice sliced through the tension. Her tone carried mild amusement, like she was walking into a scene she already enjoyed.

But the moment her eyes landed on Isabella, tear-streaked, sitting helplessly on the floor, her smile widened. She didn't even realize how much joy the sight brought her.

"Nothing much to stain your eyesight," Alex said coolly, throwing a casual glance at Isabella before walking toward Camila.

The sight of the two of them together, so close, so unshaken, hit Isabella like a punch to the chest.

Why… why did she always end up as the one left behind?

Why was she the one on the floor, humiliated, when she was the victim in all of this?

Camila approached, her tone suddenly soft, almost mocking.

"Hey, Isa," she said sweetly, stretching out her manicured hand to help her up.

For a second, Isabella froze.

Even her enemy was offering her help now.

Was this pity, or just another game?

Her heart sank deeper. She couldn't even make enemies right.

The one she loved had turned against her, and the one who despised her was now the only one reaching out.

Still, she lifted her trembling hand, ready to accept whatever little kindness she could get.

Before Isabella's hand could latch onto Camila's, Alexander suddenly yanked it away.

"Don't smear your stain on her," he thundered, anger flashing across his face.

Isabella froze, devastated.

He had already humiliated her enough, why couldn't he just stop there?

Now he was calling her a stain. A dirt. Something less than human.

She clutched her chest, her heart aching under the weight of everything crashing down at once.

For the first time in her life, she truly believed what everyone had said about her.

Her parents' harsh words echoed in her mind, "You're a disappointment, Isabella."

She had refused to believe them because she thought Alex's love was proof they were wrong.

But now… she realized even that love was a lie.

"Oh…" Camila muttered softly, like she'd just uncovered something so obvious.

Pulling out a white handkerchief, she began wiping Alex's hands delicately, as though Isabella's touch had left an invisible filth behind.

Isabella felt something inside her c***k.

Humiliation burned through her, hot, heavy, and choking.

Hey… I'm the one hurt here! she screamed silently, her voice trapped inside her throat.

Whispers slithered through the hall.

"She's disgusting," one maid sneered.

"The floor suits her perfectly," another whispered.

The words stabbed deep.

For a moment, Isabella forgot she even had legs, forgot she could stand, scream, or walk away.

All she could do was kneel there, drowning quietly in a pain no one else could feel.

'Sir, I'll take this eyesore from here now," Helena said, finally breaking the heavy tension in the air.

Even though she had a thing for Alex, she still preferred Camila over this nobody who thought she could come here and make herself important.

"Okay," Alex said with a dismissive wave, his attention already drifting to Camila.

Before the clock could even tick twice, Alex and Camila were locked in sync, expressing everything they couldn't put into words through the kiss they shared.

The workers slipped out one after another, leaving Isabella frozen in place, her eyes locked on the kissing couple.

It finally sank in, her chances of finding happiness in this house were almost nonexistent.

And there stood Helena, watching the scene unfold with a smug grin, ready to mock Isabella at every passing opportunity.

"Tsk tsk," Helena snickered. "Looks like someone finally knows her place."

She gave a mocking laugh. "I'd let you keep watching the show, loser, but I've got better plans for you."

"Stand up and follow me," Helena ordered, her voice sharp with authority and pride.

She was completely satisfied, finally, she had someone to dump her frustrations on whenever Alex and Camila got all lovey-dovey in front of her.

Isabella didn't even know what was driving her anymore.

Her body moved on its own as she dragged herself up from the cold floor, her heart heavier than ever.

She was broken, reduced to nothing.

Once upon a time, she thought she had nothing, but now she realized back then, she was still better off.

Then, the faces of her children flashed in her mind.

What were they doing? Were they missing her? Calling out "Mama" like they always did?

The thought alone was enough to bring tears to her eyes again.

As Helena strutted confidently down the corridor, Isabella dragged her weary body behind her.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

She never imagined life could be this emotionally draining, this cruel.

At least my children are doing better with their father, she tried to console herself.

But then another voice in her head whispered, How sure are you?

The thought hit her hard.

She would have to see it with her own eyes. Maybe then, she'd know whether fate was punishing her, or mocking her.

They walked for what felt like forever until they reached a dark, narrow passage.

The door at the end creaked loudly, like an old forgotten thing that was just happy someone remembered it existed.

Isabella snapped out of her daze for a moment.

Was she really about to live in a dungeon again? she thought bitterly.

Helena let out a low, sinister laugh, and Isabella flinched.

The air grew colder. Isabella clutched the hem of her thin coat, her fingers trembling slightly.

After several turns, they finally arrived at a large, rusted door deep within the hallway.

Another world again, Isabella thought silently, her breath shallow in the confined space.

"This is your room," Helena announced, pushing the door open with a smirk.

The stench hit immediately, stale air, dust, and the smell of old wood rotting away. Forgotten furniture leaned against the walls, covered in cobwebs.

Isabella's eyes glistened. Was this really happening to her?

"Can I… get a break?" she whispered, her voice small and cracked, barely more than a breath.

Helena turned away with a satisfied smile.

For her, the punishment had just begun.

---

Alex and Camila had somehow found their way into the quiet room.

But before things could escalate, Alex pulled away, his chest rising and falling heavily.

"Camila… I'm sorry," he began, his voice low and uneven. "I'm sorry for disappointing you, for the humiliation I caused you. For letting someone else take the position that was supposed to be yours... the mother of my children."

His words tumbled out, guilt heavy in each syllable.

"I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promises," he added, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Camila, however, reached out gently and pressed her index finger to his lips.

"Shh," she whispered softly. "Alex, your presence and your love are enough for me. You being happy… that's all I've ever wished for."

Her smile was tired, fragile even, but filled with deep affection. It was the kind of smile that held both pain and devotion.

"I don't blame you for what happened," she said quietly, as if she wished she could erase all the bad moments and rewrite their story.

She loved Alex too much to ever let go.

Alex smiled faintly, his expression softening. He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin gently.

"I'll never marry her," he said firmly. "Camila, you're the one for me."

The sincerity in his eyes made Camila's heart flutter painfully. For a moment, the world outside didn't exist, only the two of them, clinging to what was left of their love.