Chapter 52 – Into Darkness
Isabel’s POV
Just as I raised the glass to my lips, two voices rang out simultaneously, sharp and urgent.
“Isabel, stop!”
“No, don’t!”
The sharp command startled me. I froze, the glass hovering inches from my mouth. Before I could react, Robert was beside me. His hand quickly grabbed the glass from mine, his face filled with worry. His eyes searched mine with an intensity that made my heart clench.
“Are you crazy? Did you forget you’re allergic to mango?” His voice was low but laced with a mix of fear and anger.
I blinked, the reality of what I’d almost done sinking in. The woman who handed me the glass feigned surprise. Her expression was a pitiful attempt at innocence. “Oh my, I had no idea! I’m so sorry, Isabel.”
Robert’s gaze darkened as he turned to face her. His tone was icy. “You knew,” he accused, each word cutting through the room like a knife. “You knew she was allergic, and you still offered her this.” The woman’s face was drained of color, but she didn’t respond.
I wondered who the second voice could’ve been. Who else tried to stop me? I looked around and noticed Emerson’s strange position. He was sitting some distance away. But he looked like he had been about to stand up. His body was tense as if he was ready to intervene.
It must’ve been him. Was it possible he still cared? I laughed bitterly to myself, shaking off the foolish thought. No, it was more likely he didn’t want me ruining this perfect evening he and Lilith had orchestrated.
Lilith, however, had caught his subtle movement. She noticed it had been his voice, along with Robert’s, that had called out “Isabel, stop!”
Her eyes flashed with anger. Her hatred was directed right at me. I could feel it burning into me. If looks could kill, the searing rage in her gaze would’ve knocked me down.
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Chapter 52- Into Darkness
But then, her expression shifted back to her usual smug poker face. She stepped
forward.
“It was just a harmless prank,” she said with a casual shrug. Her voice was dripping with insincerity. “Isabel, you’ve always been a little too sensitive.”
Something snapped inside me. The anger I had been holding back surged forward, burning through the fear and humiliation. I straightened my back, meeting Lilith’s gaze head–on. My voice was low. “A prank? Sending me to the hospital is your idea of fun?”
Lilith’s confident facade faltered for a split second. She wasn’t used to me talking back. Her eyes darted to Emerson, perhaps seeking his approval or backing. But he remained impassive.
“You wouldn’t have actually drunk it,” she said, her voice wavering slightly as she tried to regain control. “It was just a joke.”
Before I could respond, Emerson finally spoke. His voice was a cold, detached command. “Enough, Lilith.”
He didn’t look at her, though. His eyes were fixed on me. His expression was unreadable. “Isabel, you should be more careful.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, my mind racing. “Careful?” I repeated, shaking my head. Perhaps you should be more careful about who you let into your life, Emerson.”
His eyes
narrowed slightly, but he didn’t respond. The silence between us was thick with unspoken words. I could feel Lilith’s gaze burning into me, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of my attention. I stared right back into my ex–husband’s cold, blue
eyes.
Emma squeezed my arm, her touch gently grounding me. “Let’s grab a drink, Isa,” she said, trying to diffuse the tension.
“I need to go to the restroom,” I mumbled, the words tumbling out before I could think. My head was pounding, a dull ache that pressed in on my temples.
I needed space. Air. Anything to get away from the suffocating atmosphere in the
room.
Emma’s concerned voice followed me as I turned to leave. “Should I go with you?” she asked.
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Chapter 52 – Into Darkness
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I shook my head, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “No, I’ll be fine. Just need a moment.” I appreciated her concern, but I needed to be alone. I needed to gather my thoughts. To calm the storm raging inside me.
As I reached the restroom, I exhaled deeply, trying to release the tension that had coiled in my chest. I pushed open the door and stepped inside. I was grateful for the brief moment of solitude.
But as soon as the door clicked shut behind me, everything changed. The lights flickered and then went out, plunging the room into complete darkness.
Panic gripped me instantly, cold and unrelenting. My breath caught in my throat as the walls seemed to close in around me. I fumbled for the light switch, but my fingers found nothing but cold, smooth tiles.
The darkness was suffocating, pressing down on me. I felt the familiar feeling of claustrophobia sinking in. I had been suffering a fear of dark, constricted spaces ever since I lost my child.
I clawed around, looking for the door handle. When I finally found it, it wouldn’t budge. What is happening?
I opened my mouth to call for help. But the words got stuck in my throat, strangled by fear. I tried again. All that came out was a weak, trembling cry, “Please… someone …help me…”
No one answered. I could feel the tears welling up, blurring my vision even further as I slowly slid down the wall. I hugged my knees to my chest, desperately trying to control my breathing. I felt like I was drowning, sinking deeper into the abyss.
“Please… anyone…” My voice was barely audible now, lost in the oppressive silence of the darkened room.
