Isabella lay on Lena's couch, staring up at the ceiling, counting the cracks in the paint as if they held some hidden answer to the chaos in her life.
How did she get here?
Just hours ago, she had been trapped in a world where every decision was made for her, where her freedom was an illusion carefully crafted by Ethan's control.
Now, she was here.
But was she truly free?
She turned her head slightly, watching as Lena moved around the small apartment, making tea as if this were just another normal night. As if Isabella hadn't just run for her life.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Lena's voice was soft but firm, her sharp eyes scanning Isabella like she was searching for cracks in her armor.
Was she okay?
No.
But she nodded anyway. "I will be."
Lena scoffed, setting down the tea before sitting across from her. "You don't have to lie to me, Bella."
Bella.
It had been so long since anyone had called her that.
Ethan never did. He liked Isabella—formal, controlled, his.
Bella was a girl who existed before him.
A girl who had dreams and choices.
A girl who didn't belong to anyone.
Isabella swallowed hard. "I don't even know who I am anymore."
Lena's expression softened, but there was a quiet fire in her eyes. "Then maybe it's time to find out."
---
Meanwhile…
Ethan paced the length of his bedroom, fists clenched, jaw tight.
She was gone.
His chest burned at the thought.
She had walked out.
And worse?
He had let her.
Why?
Why had he just stood there like some weak, helpless fool?
He should have stopped her. Should have reminded her who she belonged to.
But that look in her eyes…
That fear.
He squeezed his eyes shut.
Had he really become the kind of man she needed to escape from?
Wasn't he the one who had protected her? Loved her?
How could she just walk away like it all meant nothing?
His phone buzzed.
A message.
He exhaled sharply and picked it up.
Unknown Number: If you really love her, let her go.
Ethan's grip tightened around the phone, his heart thundering in his chest.
Who the hell—
Before he could even process it, another message came through.
Unknown Number: But we both know you won't, don't we?
His blood ran cold.
Who was watching him?
And more importantly—
Who was protecting Isabella?
---
Lena's Apartment – Later That Night
Isabella curled up under a blanket, staring at the steaming cup of tea Lena had made her.
She should be exhausted.
Her body felt exhausted.
But her mind?
It wouldn't stop.
Would Ethan come for her?
Had he really let her go?
No. That wasn't Ethan. He wasn't the kind of man who accepted defeat.
So why did she feel like something had changed?
Like the chains he had wrapped around her were finally starting to loosen?
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Lena asked, sitting beside her.
Isabella hesitated.
Where would she even start?
The obsession? The control? The way Ethan's love had felt suffocating rather than safe?
The way she had convinced herself that love was supposed to hurt?
Her throat tightened. "I think… I think I finally saw him for who he really is."
Lena was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded. "And who is he?"
A monster?
A man who loved her too much?
A man who didn't know the difference between love and control?
Isabella's hands trembled as she gripped the cup.
"I don't know anymore."
---
Ethan's Penthouse – The Next Morning
He hadn't slept.
The bed felt too empty. The silence in the apartment felt wrong.
He was used to waking up to the sound of Isabella's soft breathing. To the way she would curl against him even in sleep.
But now?
Now there was nothing.
And he hated it.
His phone rang, and he answered without looking.
"Where is she?" His voice was sharp, dangerous.
A pause. Then a slow sigh.
"You really think that's the right question to ask, Ethan?"
His grip on the phone tightened. "Who the hell is this?"
A low chuckle. "Someone who's been watching you for a long time."
Ethan's stomach twisted. This wasn't about Isabella leaving anymore.
Someone else was in the picture.
Someone who wanted to keep her away from him.
And Ethan never let go of what was his.
---
Lena's Apartment – The Same Morning
Isabella woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing.
She sat up too fast, her heart racing.
She had turned off her location. Blocked Ethan's number.
But still, she felt like she wasn't alone.
Like the shadows in the room were watching her.
She picked up the phone with shaking hands.
One new message.
Unknown Number: Run.
Her breath caught.
Her fingers hovered over the screen, her stomach knotting.
Run?
From who?
Ethan?
Or someone worse?
She turned to wake Lena, but before she could, her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: He's coming.