Chapter 4 Let me go

Isabella could no longer contain the turmoil in her chest.

She was tired of being the wife who always forgave, tired of being the woman who cried in silence. And tonight, she wanted to give herself a moment-to feel alive again, even if just for a little while.

She picked up her phone, opening a contact she hadn't touched in a long time.

There it was: Gavin.

The ex-boyfriend she once left behind to marry Arvino.

And now, she chose to call him.

---

At a café downtown, Gavin let out a soft chuckle. "Still the same as ever. Your smile hasn't changed."

Isabella laughed freely. For the first time in what felt like forever, her face wasn't stained with tears.

"I've missed this kind of peace," she said, holding her coffee cup. "No pressure. No marital drama."

Gavin looked at her with gentle sympathy. "You deserve better, Isa. If you let me, I'll be here for you."

Isabella's smile faded a little as she glanced out the window.

"I don't know... I just want to feel appreciated again."

But not far from the café, a man in dark clothes snapped a photo from afar.

He pressed "send" and forwarded it to someone.

---

At Arvino's house...

His phone vibrated.

A message from one of his men:

> Sir, your wife was caught on camera with another man at a café. They seemed... very close.

A photo followed.

Isabella was smiling-genuinely smiling. Her hand touched the man's arm in a gesture that looked too familiar.

Arvino's eyes narrowed.

His fist clenched.

Without saying a word, he grabbed his car keys and drove home at full speed.

Anger burned in his chest. The image of Isabella laughing with another man scorched his ego and pride.

---

10 PM.

Isabella opened the front door, feeling tired-but strangely relieved.

Her steps halted when she saw Arvino standing in the living room-his eyes red and blazing with fury.

"Just got home?" Arvino's voice was quiet, but full of threat.

Isabella set her bag down. "I needed fresh air."

Arvino marched toward her, then threw his phone onto the table.

The photo of Isabella and Gavin lit up the screen.

"You slut! One night out and you're already crawling over another man?!"

Isabella flinched, eyes widening.

"You had me followed?!"

"Answer me!" Arvino hissed. "Who is he?!"

"Is it wrong for me to meet someone outside this house?" Isabella snapped, her voice rising. "You sleep with another woman, and I'm the one getting punished? Why is it okay for you-but not for me?!"

Slap!

A harsh slap landed on Isabella's cheek.

She staggered. Her hand flew to the stinging heat on her face.

"You hit me... Arvino?" she said, her jaw tightening.

"Don't talk back!" Arvino shouted. "I won't tolerate you being around another man!"

Isabella stared at him-furious, betrayed, broken.

"You liar!" she cried, then ran upstairs.

Arvino stood still, panting.

Minutes later, the sound of luggage being dragged echoed from above.

Isabella came down the stairs, pulling a large suitcase. Her expression was no longer soft-it was cold, deadly.

"I'm done living with a man who can't tell the difference between love and ego."

Just as she reached for the doorknob, Naura appeared-wearing a simple dress, her face panicked.

"Isabella, wait!" she cried.

Isabella stopped, turning slowly.

"What you saw... it's not what you think," Naura said, inching closer. "There's nothing romantic between me and Arvino. Please don't leave like this..."

Isabella scoffed. "You're good, Naura. Sweet when you speak, vicious when you act. You're the perfect two-faced woman."

"That's not true..." Naura tried to take her hand.

But Isabella shoved her away.

"You love him, don't you?" she challenged. "If you do, then marry him!"

"Isabella, what are you saying?!" Arvino cut in. "Don't accuse me of cheating with Naura!"

Isabella looked between them, her eyes cold.

"Oh right. You called me a weak woman, didn't you? A pathetic lapdog? You think I'll stay after all this?"

She inhaled deeply, then met Arvino's eyes. "I'd rather live on the street than stay in a house built on lies."

With a swift motion, she pulled her suitcase and opened the door.

But just as she was about to leave, Naura tried one last time. "Isabella, please-listen to me-"

"Shut your mouth, Naura!" Isabella barked. "Enough with your fake innocence. I'd rather bleed out there than keep dying in here."

The door slammed shut.

Silence took over the house.

Arvino stood frozen in the living room.

Naura wept quietly on the sofa.

Eventually, she walked over and hugged Arvino from behind.

"I shouldn't have clung to you, Arvino. I never meant for Isabella to leave..."

Arvino ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

"You don't need to feel guilty... she's just hot-headed. I'm sure she won't last out there."

Naura looked up at him. "Really? You think she'll come back?"

"Of course. She's nothing without me. All her luxury came from me. She won't survive without my money."

Naura gave a faint smile.

But inside-she was amused and disgusted.

I actually hope she never comes back, she thought.

Her eyes drifted toward Arvino's bedroom, then back to him with a coy smile.

One part of her plan had worked.

Now, she just needed to finish destroying Isabella's pride-until there was nothing left of the woman to rise from.

Or...

Would Naura be the one who ends up crushed?