Twisted Ties of Love

No one likes to fall for a dude who's unfaithful, two-timing, and abusive. Brett is pretty much the definition of a douchebag.

There's no way he'll ever be loyal to his marriage in this lifetime.

"If you don't like me, then who do you like?"

"Who knows? After all, I'm only 24. There are so many guys I could meet in the future, Brett. Even though you won't let us get a divorce, don't even think about making me love you again. I might be a pushover but I've had enough of that, too. Why would I love a jerk like you? Especially since you like someone else."

As Izabella uttered the words, declaring her lack of love for him, Brett's expression turned dark, as if a sharp object had pierced his heart. He gazed down at Izabella's fearless face, and for a fleeting moment, he was transported back to their initial encounter six years ago. At that time, Izabella had possessed the same fearlessness, akin to a rose adorned with thorns.

In the present, however, Izabella resembled a hedgehog, aloof and indifferent to the emotions of others, only concerned with using her sharp spines to inflict pain.

His gaze shifted to their recently hung wedding photo on the wall, and irony enveloped him. He had bound Izabella to his side, but they had become like strangers to one another.

Brett's countenance shifted slightly, and he instinctively hammered the nail into the wall with more force, causing the frame to rattle. "Izabella, I understand that you are bothered by Kaley's presence, but you fail to grasp the nature of her relationship with me."

Yeah, she didn't understand and had no right to interfere.

But he wouldn't let her interfere or leave. She had never seen anyone more selfish than Brett. Izabella was tired, not just physically, but also tormented mentally. She didn't have the energy to argue with Brett. So, she just said, "Whether you believe me or not, I really don't care about you and Kaley anymore. Do whatever you want. I'm not jealous and won't get mad over it. If you ever marry her one day, I'll bless you guys."

Izabella lowered her head, her hair tucked behind her ears, exposing her eerily pale cheeks.

Staring at her own feet, she continued, "We've been together for so many years. Even if I raised a dog for four years, I would even develop feelings by now. Even if we can't part on good terms, let's not be like enemies."

"Enough!" Brett finally couldn't help but yell, his face gloomy as he clenched the hammer and jumped off the ladder.

Izabella's eyes widened in shock and fear as she looked up at Brett. The intensity in his gaze made him appear as if he were about to strike her with a hammer. She instinctively retreated, her back pressed against the wall, feeling trapped and cornered.

Although Brett didn't lay a hand on her, Izabella felt as though her throat was being constricted. The air felt suffocating, and she struggled to breathe.

"Izabella, I never expected you to be so generous. So generous that you've even planned my second marriage," Brett's voice dripped with icy coldness.

"In this lifetime, you can only be mine, Izabella. If you try to leave, it will only be in death!"

The fear on Izabella's face vanished with his words. She tilted her head slightly, her voice soft and resigned. "If only you had said those words four years ago on our wedding day, I would have been deeply moved."

But the reality was that she was slowly dying, trapped in a life with a despicable person.