Silent thorns

Malicious instigation

Marcus's confrontation cut through Isabella's last illusions like a sharp blade. She knew Karl and Agnes wouldn't let it go, and she had to find a way to protect herself and Lena as soon as possible. Using her last savings, she renewed the hotel room for another week, then began inquiring about lawyers to understand what rights she could claim in this marriage.

But before she could find one, Karl and Agnes came knocking. That afternoon, while Isabella was drawing with Lena in their room, the innkeeper suddenly knocked on the door, saying two people were looking for her, her voice tinged with unease.

Isabella's heart sank. She knew they had arrived. She instructed Lena to hide behind the bed, warning her not to make a sound, before opening the door. Karl and Agnes stood at the entrance, their expressions dark and menacing. Agnes held a bulging envelope in her hand.

“Isabella, let's get straight to the point,” Karl began, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority. “Here's fifty thousand dollars. Take this money, leave Marcus immediately, and never show your face to us again.”

Agnes flung the envelope at Isabella's feet. It burst open, spilling stacks of dollar bills onto the floor. Her eyes brimmed with contempt. “Don't be ungrateful. This should keep you and that deaf-mute girl afloat for a while. If you refuse, we'll go straight to the lawyers. Then you won't get a penny, and you'll lose custody of Lena.”

“I don't want your money, and I won't leave Lena,” Isabella's voice was calm yet resolute. “Marcus was the one who cheated first. You have no right to take away my custody.”

“Cheated?” Agnes sneered, her tone sharp. "If you hadn't been incapable of bearing the Cole family a healthy child, would Marcus have sought someone else? This is all your fault! A woman who can't even bear a child properly has no place as a Cole wife!"

“Sophia is carrying Marcus's child, and you're just going to let him get away with cheating?” Isabella's voice carried unchecked fury.

“Sophia can give us a Cole heir—she's a hundred times better than you!” Agnes stepped forward, nearly pressing her face against Isabella's. “Mark my words, Isabella: either take the money and get out, or rot in disgrace, never to see Lena again! The choice is yours!”

Isabella stared at the cruel old couple before her, her heart filled with disgust. She knew arguing with them was futile—their eyes saw only “the Cole family heir,” devoid of any humanity.

“I won't choose,” Isabella stepped back, blocking the door behind her. “I will defend my rights through legal means. And don't even think about hurting Lena.”

“Fine! Very well!” Karl's face turned ashen with rage. “Since you refuse to see reason, don't blame us for being ruthless!”

With that, Karl shoved Isabella aside, lunging toward the room. She scrambled to block him, but he slammed her hard against the wall. The impact sent darkness flashing before her eyes. Agnes followed him into the room, scanning the space while shouting, “Where's that deaf-mute brat? Hand her over!”

“Don't come any closer!” Isabella struggled to her feet and positioned herself in front of the bed. “Lina is my daughter. You have no right to touch her!”

Lina's frightened whimpers came from behind the bed, making Isabella's heart clench. She turned to Lina, mouthing reassuringly, “Don't be afraid. Mommy's here.”

“We're not just going to touch her—we're taking her away!” Agnes stepped to the bedside, reaching out to grab Lina. Isabella threw herself at her arm, clutching it with all her strength to keep her at bay. In the chaos, Agnes lashed out, slapping Isabella hard across the face. The sharp c***k echoed through the cramped room.

Isabella's head jerked to the side, her cheek burning with pain. She froze, stunned by Agnes's viciousness. Karl rushed to help, and together they dragged Isabella aside before lunging for Lena, who was hiding behind the bed.

“Stop!” Isabella screamed, throwing herself forward with all her strength and shielding Lena tightly in her arms. She knew she couldn't fight them here—they had to get out of this place first.

Holding Lena, she seized the moment when Karl and Agnes were stunned and burst out of the room, running frantically. Behind her came Karl and Agnes' curses, along with the innkeeper's frantic shouts. Isabella dared not look back, just clutching Lena and running desperately until she could run no more. She stopped, leaning against a large tree, gasping for breath.

Lena trembled violently in her arms, her little face pale. She signed, “Mommy, it hurts.” Isabella looked down and saw her daughter's arm scraped raw, oozing a trickle of blood. Her heart ached as she pulled her daughter close, tears falling once more.

The setting sun cast long shadows of mother and daughter across the ground. Isabella knew Karl and Agnes wouldn't let this go, nor would Marcus spare them. The humiliation of the fifty thousand dollars, the brutal slap, and the attempt to snatch Lena—all made it clear she had no way out.

Holding Lena close, she rose slowly. The confusion and vulnerability in her eyes had vanished, replaced by icy resolve. She could no longer wait passively; she must strike first. To protect Lena, to reclaim her dignity, she was willing to pay any price. She lifted her gaze toward the distant town, silently vowing: The game of revenge begins now.