Chapter 15

"When I was fifteen..." Isabella curled up, lost in some awful memory.

Michael couldn't stand seeing her like this and pulled her close. "Isabella,

you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

Feeling Michael's presence, Isabella snapped back to reality and felt a bit more at ease. She couldn't fully trust Michael yet, but she knew he gave her the courage to face this.

She felt that if she told himn, Michael wouldn't dislike her. Even if Michael ended up hating her for it, it didn't matter. Their marriage was a sham anyway.She had to be ready for that.

Isabella took a deep breath and continued, "Back then, I stayed late at school every day. Lots of classmates had their parents pick them up,but my grandma didn't have time, so I had to walk home alone."

At that time,Isabella and Ella lived in a rundown place. The path from school to home had no streetlights and was pitch dark at night.They had lived there for years, and although the roads were like a big maze, Isabella knew every path by heart.

As usual, she walked home alone after evening classes. Walking through。the alley, Isabella always felt like someone was behind her. She looked back several times but saw no one. Only some cats and dogs passed by:Although she didn't feel good, she found nothing was strange after looking around.

Just when she thought she might be overthinking, someone covered her mouth from behind and dragged her into a nearby storage room that hadn't been used in ages. The heavy dust made it hard for her to breathe, and she couldn't help but cough.

There was no light at all, but she could vaguely make out a not-so-tall male figure in the darkness.

At that time, she was as frail as a kitten and was easily tied to a broken chair, with tape over her mouth, unable to make a sound.

Then, the man started kissing her neck and tearing at her clothes.

She was terrified, thinking it was the end for her. She still wanted to get into the best school, to attend Crestwood College. She had a bright future ahead of her; she wondered if it would all be ruined in this filthy,broken storage room.

The man's breath on her chest was warm and sticky, making her nauseous.She hadn't had dinner, and her stomach cramped with hunger. The sudden pain made her want to break free from the man's grip.

Isabella kicked at him with her bound legs, not knowing where she hit,but he fell to the ground, writhing in pain and unable to stand.

Isabella breathed a sigh of relief but stayed on guard. She feared the man would get up again and kept her legs ready to kick out at any moment.

"Isabella." At some point, Ella's voice came from outside the door.

Isabella tried to make noise by banging the chair against the wall.

Ella,following the sound with a flashlight, found Isabella tied to the chair,her clothes disheveled, with fresh bite marks on her exposed neck and chest.

Ella hugged her tightly, comforting her. By the weak light of the flashlight,she saw that the person who had assaulted Isabella was their classmate,the class president.

Ella got help from a neighbor to take the class president to the hospital

and then brought Isabella home. Even in her familiar bed, surrounded by familiar scents, Isabella still had nightmares.

The class president's family came, demanding compensation for medical expenses and accusing her of seducing their son, calling her behavior improper.

Ella held her and cried. They couldn't come up with the money and had to ask Aiden for help. They got nothing but mockery from Sophia, who insinuated that Isabella was ill-mannered and learned to seduce men at a young age.

For a long time after that, Isabella was the talk of the towvn, and not in a good way. As the victim, you'd think people would have her back,but nope. They blamed her instead. They felt sorry for the class president,saying he almost lost his ability to have kids. Some even suggested that since he liked her, they should just be together.

She felt like she was stuck in a mud pit. If she didn't jump out, she'd be covered in mud forever. If she did, the mud spots would fade over time.So, she put up with all the rumors and focused on her studies, eventually getting top grades. She chose a not-so-great school that promised to waive all tuition and cover all expenses.

Without Isabella around, Ella didn't stay n that rundown place anymore.She ended up working as a free housekeeper for Aiden.

From then on, Isabella knew she could only rely on herself, especially regarding sexual harassment, as society often blamed the woman,no matter what.

Years passed, and she tried to forget all that. But in dark places, the fear still crept up. That's why, even though she was with John for so long, she never got intimate with him.

After finishing her story, Isabella closed her eyes tight,lowered her head,and didn't dare look at Michael. She felt completely exposed, like she was standing naked in front of a crowd, waiting for judgment.

Michael felt heartbroken. He always knew Isabella had a rough childhood but never imagined it was this tragic. He held her tightly and said softly,"Are you worried I'd be mad if you told me? You've been wronged; I only feel sorry for you. How could I possibly be mad at you?"

Isabella whispered, "But when stuff like this happens, most people think it s the woman's fault. They say it's because the woman was improper that she attracted bad men."

"You said it yourself, most people. But I'm not one of them. They're idiots,but I'm not. Clearly, you're the victim, yet they blame you," Michael said seriously.

Isabella was deeply moved and didn't know what to say. She had never met anyone like Michael. He seemed different from others, different from other men.

Isabella looked up at Michael with courage and said emotionally, "Thank you. As long as you understand me, I won't be afraid even if I get fired today."

Michael wanted to tell her she wouldn't be fired, that she'd continue to work safely at the company, and that the bad guys would be punished.But he thought if he said it, she wouldn't believe him and would think he was just comforting her. So he let it go.

Michael patted her head and said appreciatively, "Isabella, you're way braver than I ever imagined. Remember, you're amazing and deserve to be cherished and loved."

Isabella nodded heavily.

Michael said, "Well then, my heroine, can we go home now?"

Michael instructed Aaron, who had rushed over, to handle the hospital follow-up for Isabella and then took her to the car.

The streets were clear in the early morning.

Michael worked on his laptop in the car, the screen's light casting shadows on his face, making his features look chiseled.

Michael sensed her gaze and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Isabella said, "You're handsome."

Michael put down his laptop, just about to pull her into his arms and tease her, when the driver suddenly braked, causing them both to hit the front seatbacks.

"Jerry, what's going on?" Michael asked in a deep voice, with a hint of annoyance.

Jerry explained, "Mr. Michael Johnson, it's Mr. Vaughn Johnson. His car suddenly stopped in front."