His apology felt like a hollow mockery to her.

She clutched the quilt tightly, as if it were her only shield. “Get out! I never want to see you again!” Her voice was raw and trembling.

Ethan tried to move closer, hoping to calm her.

Isabella reacted instantly. She grabbed the lamp from the nightstand and hurled it toward him. It struck his shoulder and shattered loudly on the floor.

Ethan let out a low groan but didn’t retreat.

His eyes remained locked on her, swirling with unreadable intensity. Isabella held the quilt against her chest, her entire body shaking visibly.

“Take another step and I’m calling the police,” she warned, her voice firm but strained.

Ethan’s gaze didn’t waver. Words hung unspoken on his lips before he swallowed them back.

He wanted to explain. To make her understand. But his past actions had stripped his words of any power. They felt empty even to himself.

The rejection in her eyes cut deeper than he expected. Regret twisted sharply inside him.

He drew a slow, steadying breath. Nothing he said would bridge the distance between them now.

“Try to rest,” he murmured, voice heavy with defeat.

With that, he turned and left. The door clicked shut softly behind him.

Silence swallowed the room. Only then did Isabella allow herself to break. She buried her face in the quilt, sobs shaking her entire frame.

She didn’t know when the tears finally stopped, but by morning, her eyes were painfully swollen and red.

While brushing her teeth, she caught her reflection—pale face, puffy eyes. She looked wrecked. Just then, her phone lit up with a call from Lucas.

“Isabella, everything’s confirmed for tonight’s banquet. I’ll pick you up before five. Don’t worry—Alexander will definitely be there.” His voice was warm and reassuring.

“Thank you, Lucas,” she replied, her voice still rough from crying.

“Don’t mention it,” he said with a light chuckle. “Just focus on getting ready. I’ll see you later.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Isabella studied her reflection again. She gently pressed her fingers against her swollen eyelids. There was no way she could meet Alexander King looking like this.

This meeting was crucial. It was her chance to secure a business partnership and prove her professionalism. Personal turmoil couldn’t interfere.

This was her new beginning after leaving Ethan. She couldn’t afford to fail.

Determined, she quickly ordered cooling eye patches via a delivery app. She applied them while finalizing the project files Ethan’s interruption had delayed. These documents were essential for her presentation to Alexander.

She worked relentlessly, not stopping until everything was complete. It was well past three in the afternoon by the time she finished.