A start
726 Words
Scene: Isabella’s Apartment – Nightfall
The rain tapped gently on the windows, a soft rhythm that filled the silence in Isabella’s apartment. She sat at the edge of her bed, motionless, her mind sinking deep into memories she wished she could forget.
Her eyes were heavy with unshed tears as her thoughts dragged her back—to that night.
She had come home, exhausted, emotionally drained from everything happening at Marcus Enterprises. She didn’t expect to hear voices in the mansion. Curious and cautious, she moved closer to the living room, only to stop dead in her tracks at the sound of Angela’s voice.
"Why don’t you admit it, Nathan? You came here because some part of you still cares."
"Don’t twist things, Angela. I came to tell you to back off," Nathan had said, firm but visibly frustrated.
But Angela had laughed, a cruel, calculated sound. "Really? Because to anyone else, this looks like a secret rendezvous between two ex-lovers. What do you think Isabella will believe?"
Isabella had felt the world crash around her.
She hadn’t waited to hear Nathan’s reply. Her heart had slammed in her chest, her legs barely carried her up to her room. Tears stung her eyes then—but rage kept her from breaking down. And then came the news coverage. The cameras had caught their heated argument the next day. Twisted headlines. Lies. Scandal. And then—the Maxwells' announcement of Nathan’s engagement to Alina Harrington.
Her jaw clenched as the memory faded into the next.
Earlier that day, at the restaurant...
Alina’s perfect smile. Her polished fingers brushing Nathan’s sleeve. The soft giggle. The way Nathan didn’t immediately pull away.
The betrayal carved deeper.
She remembered storming out, furious, humiliated—jealous.
She pressed her fingers to her temples, shaking her head. “Why does it still hurt so much?”
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breath uneven. “What really happened that night? Was Angela lying? Was Nathan caught in her web, or... was he hiding something too?”
She wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
"I don’t know what to believe anymore," she whispered into the dark, her voice breaking.
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Scene: Isabella’s Apartment – Morning
The soft knock on the door echoed in the quiet apartment. Isabella stirred slightly on the couch, still wrapped in the same blanket from last night, her eyes swollen from sleep and tears.
Knock knock.
“Isabella?” Mercy’s gentle voice floated in from behind the door. “It’s me.”
Isabella didn’t respond at first. She wasn’t ready to face the world—not after everything that played in her head like a haunting film.
But the door creaked open slowly, and Mercy peeked inside, her eyes softening when she saw the state of her friend. “Oh, Isa…”
She stepped in, placed the bag of coffee and pastries on the table, and walked over. “You didn’t even sleep in your bed?”
Isabella gave a weak shrug, barely looking up. “Couldn’t. My head won’t stop spinning.”
Mercy sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You’re still thinking about Nathan.”
Silence.
Then Isabella whispered, “I saw them. At the restaurant. And before that… Angela and him at the house. I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
Mercy squeezed her gently. “You think Nathan would lie to you? After everything he’s done to prove himself?”
“I don’t know,” Isabella said, her voice cracking. “Angela sounded so convincing. And the way she said it… she knew I was listening. It felt like a trap—but what if it wasn’t?”
Mercy looked at her, then took Isabella’s hands into hers. “You’re allowed to doubt. But don’t let those doubts destroy the one person who’s actually been fighting for you. Remember who Nathan is, not who Angela wants you to believe he is.”
Isabella looked away, her heart torn.
“You’re strong, Isa. But even strong people need to open their hearts sometimes.”
A beat of silence.
Then Mercy leaned in, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Now go take a shower. You look like you’ve been in a drama series marathon.”
A small laugh escaped Isabella's lips despite the pain.
It was a start.
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- Writer
