Love Burns Without a Trace

It turns out a man who once took a bullet for Isobel Sutton will ultimately fall for someone else. Chapter 1 "I'll sign the consent form for the ectopic pregnancy abortion," Isobel Sutton told the nurse. Her hand, bruised from all the needle insertion, picked up a pen and shakily signed the form. A drop of tear rolled down her cheek when she was wheeled into the operating theater. She wondered whether taking that morning-after pill was the right decision at all. … When Isobel was recovering at the hospital, she bought a plane ticket to Airland, which was dated a month later. She checked her phone. The netizens were still passionately discussing Halthorne City's tycoon's extravagant love confession to his girlfriend. And she was the subject of the discussion. At a press conference three days ago, Anthony Johnson announced that he would send a vinyl record to space in the spaceship he had spent seven years building, financed with his private wealth. The vinyl record would play Anthony's love confession to Isobel in space forever, proving his love for her to every being in the universe. After the successful launch of the spaceship, someone dug out the details of Anthony and Isobel's relationship. Everyone thought it was the most miraculous love story of the 21st century. She scrolled through the online comments while sitting through the dull stomach cramps. "Everyone knows that Mr. Johnson and Ms. Sutton are childhood sweethearts. They have known each other for 25 years. They dated for seven, but they're still in their honeymoon phase. I'm so envious of them!" "You may have heard about the money he spent on Ms. Sutton. But did you know that he took a bullet for her abroad? He was shot under his left shoulder. The bullet missed his heart by an inch!" "They're perfect for each other—my daddy and mommy!" "From what I heard, Mr. Johnson threw himself at her without any hesitation. I still have that media photo of him lying on the stretcher and locking fingers with Ms. Sutton. I ship them so much!" Every single detail—from their subtle, sweet gazes at events to their extravagant display of love—was proof of their love for each other. Tears blurred her vision. She wiped them away, thinking about the irony of the situation. Their families went way back. In fact, Anthony was just two years old when he waited outside the operating room when she was born. She couldn't recall a time without Anthony in her life. When she was ten years old, her parents took their own lives after they went bankrupt. The Johnson family immediately took her under their care. It was all thanks to Anthony's company and care that she managed to make it through the grief and trauma. In her teenage years, she once felt that she was not good enough for him. She never hoped that he would see her as a lover. All she wanted was to stay by his side, even if she was just like a sister to him. To her surprise, he solemnly confessed his love to her on her 18th birthday in front of all the Halthorne City socialites. Without a second thought, she accepted the red roses he passionately offered her—a symbol of eternal love. Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered in his ear, "Thank you, Tony, for being my family. Promise me you'll never betray me or dump me. I love you." He hugged her tighter. Between sobs, he vowed, "Belle, I swear on my life that I will never betray or dump you. I will love you until I die." When they dated, Anthony was nice to her. He was a gentle, thoughtful, and caring boyfriend. Too bad he couldn't keep that up for seven years. She had never doubted his love, but sadly, true love was not guaranteed to last. Had she not found out that he was cheating, she would have still thought that she was a lucky woman. On the other hand, Anthony thought that he had covered all his bases, but the evidence of love—or lack thereof—was painfully obvious. She'd rather leave him than put herself through the pain and despair of being abandoned. Placing the receipt of the abortion in an expensive gift box, she wrapped it up and wrote on a card. It read, "For Anthony Johnson on his 27th birthday". Chapter 2 Isobel had been discharged when Anthony came home. She was reading a book by the window. "I'm sorry, Belle! It was such a busy business trip. I didn't manage to make it back in time for your birthday and our anniversary…" While speaking, he took off his suit jacket and walked over to give her a hug. "I promise this will be the last time. I'll be there for important occasions. "Sweetheart, don't be mad at me. Okay?" She sneered and closed her eyes. She was nauseated by the faint whiff of Sasha Green's perfume on him. Indeed, he was probably "occupied" on his business trip with Sasha. But none of that mattered anymore. Isobel pushed him away. She stared directly at him and said calmly, "It's fine." Visibly relieved, he pulled out a black velvet box and handed it to her. "Belle, I bought you a gift. I hope you like it." He opened the box to reveal a watch. It was worth 31 million dollars. There were only seven of those in the whole world. "These watches are the epitome of precision. Each and every single cog works harmoniously—just like my love for you." He carefully put the watch on Isobel's wrist as she listened to his empty promises, her expression blank. Then, she turned around and took the gift box containing the surgery receipt and the break-up letter she had written. She handed it to Anthony. "This is my birthday gift for you." He took the gift box with delight and was eager to open it, but she stopped him. The sunlight that dappled across her thin face made her appear fragile yet beautiful. "Save it for your birthday next month." He caressed her hair, a doting look in his eyes. "Sure. I'll listen to you and unbox it on my birthday. Thanks, sweetheart!" Isobel took in his delighted expression with a fake smile. She thought, "Anthony Johnson, I hope by then, you'll still remember what you have done to me that night. Will you still be as happy when you recall it?" … The next day, the Johnsons invited all the prominent figures of Halthorne City to Isobel's belated birthday party, which was held at the largest manor in the city. The manor was filled with her favorite red roses. Rose petals were scattered all across the event hall. The guests couldn't help but gush at Anthony's level of attentiveness and care for Isobel. "Even if the Johnsons had taken in Isobel because of their friendship with the Suttons, they wouldn't have treated her like a princess. She must owe her comfortable life under their roof to Anthony." "Ain't that right? He still looks at her the same way. It was the same as when he confessed his love at 18 years old!" "My ship is still sailing after seven years!" The jealous chatter reached Isobel's ears, but she said nothing. She simply smiled politely out of respect for the Johnson family. Her love story with Anthony was akin to the rose petals scattered across the floor. It was gorgeous but would eventually wilt over time. During the party, Anthony had taken many drinks on Isobel's behalf as he didn't want her to feel unwell from too much drinking. When someone approached her to talk, he would stand beside her and listen, occasionally chiming in. His gaze never left Isobel, and he was more than willing to let her shine. Like a gentleman, he held her bag for her and helped her to cut her steak, among many other loving gestures. She thought he was a natural actor, as his performance nearly confused her. For a second, she even wondered if his infidelity was merely an illusion. "You are such a match made in heaven! What a great couple. When are you getting married?" "That's true! Remember to invite us to the wedding! We watched you and Belle grow up, after all!" Anthony held Isobel's hand. "We will invite you guys for sure. But before that, I will carry out the grandest wedding proposal ever for Belle." Isobel stood beside him, smiling. But she was tired of it all. Suddenly, she recalled her first time attending an event as Anthony's girlfriend. It was hosted by the Johnsons. Everyone heaped praises on them, calling them a perfect couple. Back then, Anthony smiled and put a hand around her shoulder. He proudly said, "Of course we are! How lucky am I to have Belle as my girlfriend? I'll marry no one but her." She blushed and hid her face in his arms. She often fantasized about the moment he proposed. She was confident that she would say yes. But she decided not to wait for Anthony anymore. At the end of the party, he led her onto the stage, produced a jewelry box, and opened it to reveal a luxurious and opulent necklace. He wore it around her neck for her. "Happy birthday, Belle." With that, he kissed her forehead as applause erupted around them. When Isobel checked out the necklace, she noticed Sasha sitting on one of the seats, looking grim and resentful. It was a stark contrast to everyone else. Isobel smirked. Sasha's face fell even more when she caught Isobel's mocking expression. She gritted her teeth and left the hall. No one had noticed the subtle exchange. They were busy singing praises. Only Isobel was aware that her love for Anthony had come to an end. Chapter 3 The dancing started after dinner. Anthony bowed slightly, inviting Isobel to share the first dance. After deliberating, she took his hand, not wanting to put the Johnsons in a tough spot. At that moment, Sasha hurried over to Anthony. "Mr. Johnson, something urgent came up at work that needs your attention." When he heard that, he immediately straightened up without bothering to ask for the details. He gave Isobel an apologetic look. "Sorry, Belle. I will need to get back to work. How about I pick you up at night?" Under the gaze of the guests, Isobel retracted her hand. "Go." Her heart ached at the sight of Anthony and Sasha hurrying away. Four months ago, Sasha had moved into the Johnson residence as Anthony's cousin-in-law with the excuse of being widowed and defenseless. The Johnsons allowed her to stay out of sympathy. At first, Isobel had no suspicion about Sasha's sudden arrival. She even showered Sasha with care. Isobel thought the Johnsons were just helping Sasha out when the latter was made Anthony's secretary. It wasn't until Anthony and Sasha grew so close that she noticed something was off. She used to be everything to Anthony. He would always put her first. Lately, she often noticed him deliberating as though he was struggling to make a decision. Now, he was long past the hesitating phase. He'd run to Sasha without thinking. Isobel excused herself from the dance, saying that she was unwell. She retired to her bedroom. At the same time, Anthony and Sasha hurried into his office. "Tell me. What's the urgent matter?" "I thought you could read my mind since you didn't ask me anything in the car." Sasha gave a seductive look as he adjusted his tie. Frowning, he grabbed her hand. "I told you not to mess around! It's Belle's belated birthday party today!" "Anthony, you're being too harsh on me. I'm three months into the pregnancy now. Don't you miss me at all?" "Sasha…" "Weren't you interested in trying it out at the office?" She took off her coat to reveal a skimpy business suit. "Tony, can Isobel even satisfy your needs?" Anthony's aggressive gaze swept past her entire body. No longer holding back, he grabbed her by the waist and kissed her passionately. His desires were fulfilled. When they were done, Anthony wiped Sasha's lipstick stains on him off. He checked his phone, but Isobel didn't text him. His heart skipped a beat. An uneasy feeling arose within. "Spend the night at my place, won't you?" He buckled his seatbelt and swatted Sasha's hand away. "James will send you home. I need to pick up Belle from the manor." Then, he ignored Sasha's tearful expression and drove off. On his way to the manor, he even bought some famous local candies for Isobel. ... "Belle, what's wrong? Mom said you were feeling sick." Anthony had jogged up to the bedroom and expressed his concern for Isobel. She got up in bed and shook her head. "I'm fine." He caressed her head like he was coaxing a child. "I bought you your favorite candy. Do you want to take a bite? I'll send you home after that." He had bought the candy from her favorite place—a century-old local store. When they were young, he'd line up to buy some candy and other treats just to cheer her up. She lowered her gaze. Immediately, she smelled Sasha's overpowering fragrance that made her feel sick. Why did Anthony not bother to lie better in the final days of their relationship? Just why? Pushing his hand away, she croaked, "I don't want it. Please leave." She had only eaten the candy in the past because he had bought it for her. But now, she no longer wanted it. She thought, "Don't bother taking me home either. I lost my only home the moment you betrayed me." Chapter 4 Isobel stayed quiet during the ride home. Anthony immediately sensed that she was feeling blue. He asked, "Belle, are you upset because I left you behind to work? I'm really sorry. When I'm done with this project, I promise I'll never cast you aside for work again. "Did someone upset you when I wasn't around? Sweetheart, please don't ignore me." Anthony might be a ruthless CEO, but he was just a loyal canine in front of Isobel. However, a leopard could not change its spots. "I'm just tired," she replied flatly. … After that, Anthony cautiously kept an eye on her mood. One night, he sat on her bed. "My project will end in a month. Belle, do you want to travel anywhere? Let's go on a vacation!" Little did he know that she would have left him by then. She shook her head. "What's wrong with you, Belle? Tell me what's bothering you. You're worrying me." He clasped her cold hand. How worried was he? She peered into his eyes. His feelings seemed genuine. He loved and cared for her, even risking his life for her. Yet, he did not even notice she had undergone surgery. Not only that, but he boldly cheated on her. She pulled her hand away. "It's nothing. I heard that Mason Cullen has a few mistresses and is in the middle of a divorce. Still, he was known to be crazy about his wife. "People can be very different from how they appear. That got me thinking for a bit." "Don't worry, Belle. I'll never be like him," Anthony promised without hesitation. He held her to offer her comfort. He even expressed his loyalty, saying, "Let me be cursed if I fall for anyone other than you, Isobel." She closed her eyes as tears fell. She had never questioned his promise, but it turned out to be a lie he was so used to making. … After that day, Anthony rarely came home. He often stayed out for the so-called project at work. But that didn't bother Isobel too much. Now, she had the time and space to slowly plan out her eventual departure. One day, she decided to return to the Sutton residence before leaving Halthorne City for good. The Sutton residence was located on the west side of the city. After the deaths of Isobel's parents, the Johnson family bought the house and put her name on the title deed, but she rarely visited the place because it made her sad. Many years later, she was surprised to find the residence neither dilapidated nor unkempt. The landscape—including the pond and the greenery—was well cared for. She figured that Anthony must have arranged for people to work on the upkeep of the Sutton residence. The thought made her feel a little touched. Perhaps they could still be family even if they were not fated to be lovers. She ran her fingers across the familiar bricks and tiles at the residence. Then, she decided to go to the second floor and clean her childhood bedroom. As she reached the staircase by the windows, she caught sight of two figures in the garden out of the corner of her eye. Anthony and Sasha's presence on the grounds made Isobel freeze. Her mind went blank. The two of them were completely undressed as they made out in the garden. She could even hear their dirty talk. Sasha, who was wearing Isobel's childhood clothes, purred, "Tony, do you like it? If you refuse to comment on it, I won't put this on for you anymore!" "Can't you tell how much I like it? Guess I'll have to work harder." "You little rascal! I just wanted to hear it straight from your mouth…" Their words sent a stabbing pain through Isobel's heart, rendering her breathless. Five minutes ago, she entertained the silly possibility of ending things on a good note with Anthony. She put a hand over her mouth and helplessly crouched under the windows, crying silently. Tears rolled down her cheeks and dripped onto the wooden floor, forming a tiny puddle. She couldn't help but wonder if Anthony had ever been serious during their seven years of dating and if she had ever truly known the real him. He gave her the impression of an earnest man even during their first kiss. That day, he had rubbed his hands nervously many times before mustering the courage to hold her hand. Then, he looked at her affectionately before asking, "Belle, can I kiss you?" She nodded, her smile wide. They kissed under the spectacular fireworks display. At the end of it, he kissed her on the tip of her nose and her ears. It felt like he wanted to be one with her. "Oh, my Belle…" Back then, she had naively thought that she was at the top of the world. To her, Anthony felt like home. However, the man before her was nothing but a stranger. A promise only mattered when two people were in love. And only the person who took the vows seriously would believe in it. Chapter 5 Anthony and Sasha's ridiculous lies had desecrated the old residence that carried the memories of Isobel's parents. Isobel knelt on the floor in pain. Finally, she came to the decision to sell it off. After she did what was needed, she dragged herself back home. The last brilliance of the dusk poured into the bedroom, where she and Anthony had shared sweet memories. She stood rooted at the same spot until the sky darkened. Everything around her—the decor pieces, the photos, the slippers, the pajamas, the toothbrushes, and the love letters he wrote to her—looked jarring. They made her want to cry. She swept all the couple items she could see into a cardboard box like an emotionless robot. She no longer wanted something that was lovely on the outside but rotten to the core. She no longer wanted Anthony. She would get rid of all of it. … Anthony returned to an empty house. He found Isobel spacing out on the couch. "What's happened to our place? Where are my slippers? Where are our photos?" She returned to reality and calmly explained, "Isn't minimalism trending now? We had all this stuff for seven years. I want to replace them with something new. So, I threw out all the old items." Her words carried a subtext. He came to a slight pause before regaining his composure. He took a seat beside Isobel and pulled her into a hug. "You can throw out anything you like, as long as it's not me." She smirked. He offered, "Here's a card for you. Use it to buy anything you want." "It's fine." Anthony remembered that he had given her quite a number of credit cards. Hence, he didn't take her rejection seriously. After some silence, something struck him. He wandered into the bedroom and rummaged through the drawer. "Belle, where's that Perler bead couple portrait you gave me?" "I threw it out too." A wave of panic set in. He hurried back to Isobel. "But Belle, you made that for me." She looked up at him wistfully but said nothing. Anthony had an ominous feeling that she might have seen through him. Looking away, he grabbed his coat and walked out of the house. "You can throw out anything you want, but not that Perler bead portrait! I'm going to look for it now." "I threw it into the dumpster downstairs. The garbage truck might have collected it," she reminded him. "No way, Belle! That was your first gift to me after we started dating. It means a lot to me. I don't want to throw it out." Isobel did not stop him. This time, she watched him search the dumpster from the warmth of her bedroom. Surprisingly, Halthorne City experienced snow that year. Anthony personally searched the dumpster for two hours, disregarding the snow and putting aside his pride. Finally, he reclaimed that Perler bead portrait. Sensing her eyes on him, he turned around and looked up while holding the portrait. Their eyes met. He raised the portrait high in the air and smiled like a child fishing for praise. Isobel watched the scene, her feelings growing complicated. She wondered if that was Anthony's true self or the man who had betrayed her. Regardless, she was no longer curious to find out. She drew the curtains without smiling back at him. … That night, the Johnsons reached out to Anthony, requesting that he attend the family dinner that weekend. He looked at Isobel with a frown. She had been in a foul mood lately and always responded flatly. She even lost some weight. "I won't bring Belle with me. She's been tired, and she doesn't have an appetite. I'll make some homemade meals for her." "It's a family dinner, you little rascal! You can't miss it! You need to be here, even if Isobel isn't attending," Frank Johnson lambasted his son. "But I told you that I need to take care of Isobel!" "You scoundrel…" Isobel grabbed the phone and spoke to Frank softly. "Frank, we'll be there this weekend. Please calm down." Since she agreed to go, Anthony said nothing more. After ending the call, he said, "You didn't have to agree. It's just a family dinner. We can skip it once." She replied, "There's no point in upsetting your parents." In fact, she had no idea if the Johnsons were aware of the relationship between Anthony and Sasha when they opened their house to the latter. Regardless of her doubts, she didn't want to make a scene before leaving the Johnson family, as she was grateful to them for raising her. She held onto the sliver of hope that Anthony had merely fooled all of them. Chapter 6 Before the family gathering kicked off on the weekend, Anthony's grandma, Melinda Clarke, called Isobel into the room to talk privately. She carefully pulled out a pair of bracelets from the closet and warmly took Isobel's wrist. With a smile, she began, "Isobel, here. These are for you." Isobel stared at the bracelets and spotted a tiny line of engraved words on the inner side. It read "eternal love". "These bracelets were passed down from generation to generation. They are reserved for our future daughters-in-law! Belle, let me know if Anthony ever bullies you. I'll put him in his place!" Isobel teared up in silence. She pursed her lips. Finally, she took the bracelets. "Thank you, Melinda." During the dinner, Frank announced that he would give Isobel a group of double-story villas in the newly developed district in Halthorne City. "Belle, those villas are ocean-facing. If you ever feel down, you can stay there for a few days." Anthony's mom, Sheila White, did not want to be overshadowed. "Belle, look at these latest limited edition bags I've got! Take anything that you like. Let's go shopping at Everest Mall again when the renovations are done! We'll shop for new bags." Isobel was caught off guard by the family's affection. She gradually believed that no one knew about Anthony and Sasha's illicit affairs. Still, she had decided to leave. She could not forgive Anthony just because his family was lovely to her. Burdened with emotions, she felt suffocated and excused herself, saying that she was tired and wanted to rest early. After sleeping for a while, she felt thirsty and went downstairs to get some water. From the staircase, she spotted Sasha openly sitting beside Anthony. "How far along is your pregnancy?" Melinda asked. "About four months now," Sasha purred. "Has the family doctor performed a paternity test? Is the baby Anthony's child?" Isobel held her breath. Sasha's pregnancy was never a secret, but she had claimed that she was pregnant with her late husband's baby. Anthony affirmed, "Yes, we did the test. She's carrying my baby." There was a downpour in Halthorne City that night. Lightning struck, and Isobel felt like she had been split into two. "Give birth to that baby, then," said Frank. "We can still afford to pay for you and your baby. Our manor in the west of the city is the perfect place for you to stay until you're in labor. You can stay there from now on." Sasha demurely accepted the keys. "Thank you, Frank!" Sheila, who had been sipping tea calmly, remarked, "I like that you're obedient and never make trouble. It's no wonder that Anthony is into you." "Sheila, I really love Anthony. I want to stay by his side. I won't ask for more." Anthony pulled Sasha into a hug when he heard that. He looked confident and proud as he watched the beaming woman in his arms. He kissed Sasha on her temple and said, "Now, be a good girl and go to bed. I'll join you soon." Sasha obediently rose from the seat and went up to her bedroom from a different staircase. "Grandma, Dad, Mom, do you approve of Sasha?" Melinda tapped her walking stick on the ground. "I'm too old to be poking my nose into your business. All I want is a great-grandchild. "You see, Belle struggles to conceive. Her health hasn't improved after all those years of treatment. If she can't conceive, let's not pressure her." Nodding, Sheila chimed in, "You're right." "It's normal for a man to keep a few women around. Anthony, I don't care who you sleep with, but you'll only marry Isobel Sutton. Got it?" Frank patted his son on the shoulder. "Yes. You must marry Belle so that we can answer to the Sutton family. Besides, that will help with the company's reputation. Sasha's background is truly…" "Don't worry. I won't marry anyone else," promised Anthony. "At the end of the day, I love her the most. I know my limits. I'll keep it a secret from her." Isobel realized that she had gone from being his one true love to his "most favorite woman". She scoffed, feeling offended. His love was worth nothing to her! She couldn't believe his audacity. She nearly lost her balance on the stairs. Her heavy heart, her guilt, and her deliberation about dumping Anthony turned out to be a joke. The whole family knew the truth and worked together to fool her! She covered her mouth tightly to muffle her sobs. Chapter 7 Isobel rushed back into her bedroom and squatted on the bathroom floor. Trembling, she rested her back against the icy cold wall. Holding the toilet, she vomited. The bile juices burned her throat. Memories of that night when Anthony accidentally impregnated her flooded her. Anthony was heavily drunk that night and had forced himself on her. She could not break free from his aggressive advances. Although he had been calling her name while going at it, she knew something was wrong. She figured that he must have been fantasizing about another woman to treat her that harshly. The man whom she loved—and loved her back—would never assault her like this. That was the first time she suspected him of cheating. To avoid an unwanted pregnancy, she took a morning-after pill. She never thought that the pill would lead to an ectopic pregnancy instead. After the surgery, the doctor informed her, "Ms. Sutton, I fear you might never conceive, given the state of your health." At the same time, Sasha had gotten pregnant with Anthony's baby and received blessings from the family. Isobel nearly fainted from the physical and psychological pain. Before she lost consciousness, she saw Anthony running toward her with a worried look. "Belle!" … Anthony and his family were at her side when she woke up. Even their family doctor was there. Anthony looked a little tired and disheveled. His bloodshot eyes suggested that he had experienced a sleepless night. Their concern felt insincere to her, and she refused to respond to anyone. However, Sasha's scream immediately sliced through the awkward silence. "Ouch! That hurts—" The people around Isobel immediately left for the next room. She stared at the ceiling. She had no tears left to cry. Later, Anthony was the only one who returned to Isobel's room. He explained that his family was extremely worried about his late cousin's baby, which was why they overreacted. Isobel listened expressionlessly. She asked no questions. The family she had wished for was no more. It was all an illusion. She had been too naive but would not make that mistake again. Chapter 8 A week before Isobel's planned departure, Sasha suddenly visited her as Anthony's secretary. Crossing her arms, she haughtily marched up to Isobel. "Stop faking it, Isobel. You know that Anthony has been cheating on you. "Did you really think that he loved you? He would never marry you—a girl from a family in decline—if it weren't for your high-profile relationship. "Stop dreaming of marrying into wealth and leave the city, Isobel. It's less humiliating than getting dumped. "I'm carrying Anthony's baby. As for you, you probably cannot conceive. Am I right? "You shouldn't blame Anthony for two-timing, though. He's a beast in bed with me, but he's probably not that interested in your body." Isobel kept her emotions under control. She set her cup of tea on the table and went up to slap Sasha across the face. Sasha held her cheek and gasped, "How dare you!" Ignoring Sasha, Isobel was about to call security when Anthony barged in. Sasha immediately behaved when she heard his voice. Head hung low, she said tearfully, "Ms. Sutton, what exactly is it that you hate about me? I'm just here to pick up some documents for Mr. Johnson. Why would you hit me?" Anthony went through many emotions when he heard that. He stared at Isobel with panic. "Belle, what's—" "Yeah. I slapped her. Anything wrong with that?" She stared back at Anthony. "N-Nothing. I'm sure you had your reasons." He walked over to Isobel before yelling at Sasha, "Did anyone ask you to enter her office? How dare you cry when you're the one who upset Belle!" "Antho—Mr. Johnson, I…" "Get lost right now! You're barred from coming into Belle's office again!" After the security escorted Sasha out, Anthony hesitated to speak to Isobel. He wanted to ask why she slapped Sasha. Isobel made up an excuse. "Well, she said my office decor was in poor taste." Yet, he believed in that amateur lie. Hugging Isobel, he said, "Oh, she deserved it, then. Belle, you always have great taste." She snickered silently. After all, she wouldn't have fallen in love with Anthony if she had good taste. After Anthony made sure that Sasha wouldn't say anything out of line, he left quickly, claiming that he was needed at work. Isobel followed him closely. As she expected, she saw Sasha waiting for Anthony not far away. He kissed the spot where Sasha had been slapped. It took him a while to soothe her before they entered the car lovingly. Isobel felt numb to it all. As she rubbed her tired eyes, she quietly went home. … Two days later, Anthony called a press conference to announce the launch of the candy flagship store by the river in Halthorne City. On that day, he would show up with his lover, Isobel, to officiate the launch. When Isobel saw the news, she looked at the birthday gift she handed to Anthony, thinking, "Anthony, I won't be going to the launch as your plus-one. I hope my birthday gift comes as a surprise to you." Chapter 9 Anthony hardly had time to go home while juggling work and an affair. Meanwhile, Isobel received stack after stack of photos of Anthony and Sasha at home. Sasha herself had sent out the photos. Love could be faked through performative acts. All the details in the photos were so similar. Anthony had rented out an amusement park for Sasha, just as he had done for Isobel's 16th birthday. Isobel contacted the photographer who had been capturing moments of her and Anthony for years and had all the negatives destroyed—including those taken at the amusement park. Anthony and Sasha were pictured hanging a love lock at a famous bridge—just as he had done with Isobel on their second anniversary. Isobel spent an entire day searching for the lock she and Anthony had once placed there. It was engraved with the words "Anthony & Isobel, together forever". Weathered by time, the inscription had faded. Isobel borrowed a hacksaw, cut the lock off, and scraped away every trace of their promise. Aside from the endlessly spinning vinyl records in space, there was nothing she could not erase. Isobel vowed to destroy every proof of their love. She gathered the photos of Anthony and Sasha and placed them in that gift box that was to be opened on Anthony's birthday. … On the eve of her departure, Anthony unexpectedly returned home. "Yeah, just do as I said. Tomorrow..." "What's going on tomorrow?" Anthony made her jump when he suddenly spoke from behind her. Isobel froze for a moment before hanging up. She turned to look at him. "Nothing. It's your birthday tomorrow. Of course I have a surprise in store for you. No more questions from you!" Anthony chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "Alright. I won't ask." "Why are you home early today?" "Tomorrow is the grand opening of the flagship store. I came home to go over the details with you. Also, I've booked the best stylist to come over. You'll have the most stunning entrance." His gaze rested on her as if admiring his most exquisite masterpiece. But Isobel was no longer drowning in that look. "Anthony, we've been together for more than seven years. Do you think I've ever done anything to betray you?" Anthony's heart skipped a beat. He wondered what prompted that question. "Of course not, Belle." "And would you ever betray me?" "Never," he answered firmly. "You are my love. I will never betray you." At that moment, Isobel finally realized that Anthony's promises and vows weren't meant for her. They were meant for himself. He was looking for excuses to convince himself that, as long as he loved Isobel, it didn't matter if he occasionally dated, kissed, or slept with someone else. Isobel smiled, her gaze calm. "I never said that you betrayed me. Why are you so nervous?" "Belle, baby, you have to believe me." She said nothing. Anthony had noticed something was off about Isobel lately. But her behavior didn't seem like that of a woman who had discovered the truth. Otherwise, she would have been crying, screaming, and questioning him. In the worst case, he would immediately cut things off with Sasha and get down on his knees to beg for Isobel's forgiveness. He held her tightly. She was the one person he couldn't afford to lose. Just then, his phone vibrated. Isobel caught a glimpse of the message. Sasha wrote, "Do you want to have a peek at my legs, darling?" A photo followed it. Another text came in. It read, "Waiting for you." Anthony quickly turned off his phone. Seeing Isobel sipping her tea as if nothing had happened, he hesitated before speaking. "Belle, I have to head back to the office tonight to oversee the final prep for the opening. I won't be coming home. "Let's meet at the launch tomorrow, okay? I promise I'll take a whole month off to be with you after that." A month off? Just wait and see. She tightened her grip around her teacup. "Okay. Go ahead." She smiled. Chapter 10 Anthony woke up by Sasha's side on his birthday. Their bodies were covered in love marks. He checked the time and was about to get out of bed. However, she wrapped her arms around him to stop him. "I really love you, Tony. Can you not marry Isobel? The baby and I can't lose you!" "Sasha…" Anthony held her hands. "I've given you more than enough. You shouldn't dream about becoming my wife." "But we're perfect for each other! I can give you everything Isobel can. I can even give you what she can't!" she cried. "Sasha," Anthony said seriously. It was hard to tell whether he was saying this for her or his own benefit. "What I feel for you isn't love. Isobel is the one I love. She's the only one I'll marry." "Why do you have to be so harsh, Tony? I've been by your side for so long. My heart hurts, too…" She looked like she was about to cry as she spoke. His heart softened at the sight. He kissed her hard to pacify her like she was a pet. "Come on. Don't cry. Be good, and I'll never abandon you." He hurried to the flagship store after appeasing Sasha. It was a big day. It was the grand opening of the flagship store and the day he would propose to Isobel. Anthony started planning his grand proposal at the beginning of the year. He personally selected everything, from the packaging for the door gifts to the storefront furnishings. He wanted everyone in Halthorne City to envy Isobel. The media outlets got in place two hours before the opening ceremony started. Anthony called Isobel. "Hi, Belle. Did you see the gown I picked for you? Do you like it?" Wearing a black dress and standing in an elevator with luggage, she replied over the phone, "Yeah, I do. It's lovely." "How about the makeup? Is it your style?" he asked. Her face was bare, and she had shades on. "Yeah." "I can't wait to see you, sweetheart. I have a feeling that I'm going to be the happiest man in the world today! We can open the gift you got me together tonight!" he said excitedly. Isobel got into a black MPV. "I'm looking forward to tonight, Anthony." She hung up, and the car drove off. Anthony waited at the venue for his proposal until the setting sun's rays reflected off the surface of the river. He signaled for the ceremony to start. Everything was ready—the roses, the ring, and Isobel's favorite desserts and music. However, his assistant, Roger Brown, didn't bring Isobel as they'd rehearsed. Instead, he came running as he shouted, "Mr. Johnson, Ms. Sutton has died in a car crash!"