Chapter 4 It Was Not Worth It

Joelle clung tightly to Kolton's waist, framed by the tulips Isabelle had once planted with care, the whole sight like something pulled from a perfect painting.

A soft, self-mocking laugh escaped Isabelle's lips.

Kolton gently pulled Joelle aside, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the lipstick she had forgotten, handing it back to her. They exchanged a few words, after which she rose on her toes to press a kiss to his lips.

Isabelle could no longer stomach the nauseating display. She stepped back from the window and approached the walk-in closet.

The closet was large, but her clothes occupied only one section-garments mostly in white that carried an air of grace and serenity.

Kolton preferred her in white, and so she always wore white dresses to please him, even though she never liked the style.

The thought left Isabelle feeling absurd.

Quietly, she unlocked a hidden compartment in the closet. Inside were her ID, passport, bank cards, two mobile phones, and a thick file folder.

The words "Apex University" printed across the cover of the folder hit her like a sharp reminder of dreams long abandoned.

She stole only a fleeting glance before turning away.

Inside the folder were things she had never managed to send, the source of her deepest regret through all these years.

Picking up one of the phones, she switched it on and scrolled through her contacts.

She was relieved when she saw the names were still there.

She quickly dialed the number of her best friend, Katrina Moore.

The line barely rang before Katrina answered, her voice trembling with a mix of shock, joy, and raw emotion.

"Belle? Is that really you?" Katrina gasped. Before Isabelle could reply, Katrina burst out furiously, "Listen, if you're that bastard Kolton, I swear I'll drag you across social media for disturbing my sleep. My eighty million followers won't forgive you!"

Isabelle laughed softly, a warm and nostalgic feeling in her chest. "Katy, it's me," she replied.

For a moment, silence settled on the line. But Isabelle knew her friend's habits well. She pulled the phone slightly from her ear and counted-three, two, one...

Katrina screamed, "Belle! You're finally awake! I've missed you so much! Are you at home or in the hospital? Just give me the address, and I'll rush to you this second. You've been in a vegetative state for five whole years, and every single time I tried to visit, Kolton's people blocked me. Even the flowers I brought were tossed into the trash bin."

Isabelle knew all too well that Kolton had done it deliberately, cutting her off from every connection to the outside world.

She longed to see her best friend, but now wasn't the right moment.

"Katy, I can't meet you yet. But I need you to help me with two things," Isabelle said.

"Tell me what they are! Whatever it is, I'll do it. Honestly, I could hire someone to finish Kolton off for keeping you in that state for five years!" Katrina spat, seething.

That was what real friendship looked like.

With a faint smile, Isabelle went straight to the point. "I need you to look into Kolton's secretary, Joelle Murphy. I want every detail you can find."

"No problem. She's been by his side at every public appearance during these five years, acting like his wife. I've always wanted to give her a piece of my mind," Katrina shot back.

Isabelle went quiet.

Joelle had originally been hired as her secretary, brought in by Kolton while she was pregnant, supposedly to ease her load.

Clearly, things between Kolton and Joelle had not been so simple.

"Belle, what's the second thing?" Katrina asked.

Isabelle steadied her breath. "Tomorrow, could you arrange for some gardeners to come to my place? I want the tulips dug up and replaced with my favorite-"

"Yellow roses!" Katrina cut her off.

Isabelle blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"

She had adored yellow roses since she was a little girl, but after Kolton had declared his love for tulips, she had buried her own preference deep inside, never mentioning it again.

Katrina had only known her since college. How could she possibly know?

Katrina muttered, "I can't believe he was right. Your favorite flower really is yellow roses."

"Who are you talking about?" Isabelle asked quickly.

Katrina's reply stunned her utterly. "Nathaniel Gill. Do you remember him?"

The name nearly made Isabelle drop the phone.

Of course, she remembered him.

That face, too handsome and mischievous, was carved into her memory, impossible to forget.

The last time she had seen Nathaniel was seven years ago, at the airport.

Back then, she was about to board her flight when Kolton's call came. Without a second thought, she turned back. And Nathaniel was the only one trying to stop her.

He stood tall and composed in front of her, his broad frame blocking the light. The glow of the setting sun spilled behind him, leaving his striking face half in shadow. His sharp eyes held a flash of menace that made her falter.

He had always been cold and detached, the kind of man who kept his distance. Isabelle had never once seen him lose control.

But that day, his eyes were colder than she had ever known.

In the depths of his eyes, she saw her reflection staring back.

And she would never forget the last words he spoke to her.

"Isabelle, is it worth it?"

His voice was low and commanding, his finely shaped lips pursed.

Without answering him, she brushed past with unshaken determination, never once looking back.

But now, she finally had her answer.

Gazing at her pale, fragile reflection in the mirror, Isabelle murmured, "No, it was not worth it. But I will put right the mistakes I've made."