“That’s good, because I don’t have time,” Ethan replied coldly, his tone devoid of any warmth. He turned and walked toward their bedroom, clearly ready to end the conversation.
Isla, her frustration boiling, called after him, her voice just as icy. “By the way, tomorrow—just in case you’ve forgotten—we have a meeting with a client.”
Ethan stopped in his tracks, his back still facing her. He didn't respond right away, tension thick in the air. Finally, he turned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced over his shoulder. “I know. I haven’t forgotten.”
“Good,” Isla said, folding her arms across her chest. “Because if you miss this, we lose the deal. I know you’re trying to act indifferent, but this client is a big deal for you, Ethan.”
Ethan let out a dry laugh, the sound bitter and sharp. “I’m aware, Isla. You don’t need to remind me how important it is.” His words were biting, but there was a hint of tiredness in his voice that he couldn’t quite mask.
“Then act like it,” Isla snapped, feeling a mix of anger and desperation. “Stop pretending like nothing matters. This isn’t just about us—this is about your future, too.”
Ethan sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You think I don’t know that? I’m dealing with a lot, Isla.”
“So am I,” she said quietly, her voice trembling with restrained emotion.
Ethan clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of her words. He hated how this had become their routine—every conversation turning into a battle, every interaction laced with tension.
“I’ll be at the meeting tomorrow,” he said finally, his voice soft but firm. “Act like we’re sweet, tomorrow,”
Without another word, Ethan turned and walked into the bedroom, the door closing with a soft click behind him. Isla remained standing in the hallway, feeling the weight of their broken relationship settle over her like a heavy cloud.
She knew that tomorrow’s meeting would be crucial—not just for their business, but perhaps for their marriage, too. But for tonight, all she could do was steel herself against the pain and hope that, somehow, they could still find a way to mend what had been shattered.
Isla stood in the hallway long after Ethan disappeared into their bedroom, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t quiet. She replayed their conversation over and over, each word cutting deeper than the last. It wasn’t just about the business deal tomorrow—there was so much more at stake.
Finally, she turned away and headed to the guest room, the room she’d quietly been using as her sanctuary for the last few months. The distance between them had grown so vast, and tonight felt like another step in the wrong direction.
As she sat on the edge of the bed, her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Ava, her closest friend.
Ava: Hey, how’s everything? I know things have been rough with Ethan. You okay?
Isla stared at the message for a moment, not sure how to respond. Ava knew pieces of what was going on but didn’t understand the full extent of the chaos in her marriage. She didn’t even know about the threats Ethan had made or how controlling he had become.
Isla: I’m surviving. We have a big meeting tomorrow. It might be the only thing holding us together at this point.
Ava responded almost instantly.
Ava: Surviving isn’t enough, Isla. You deserve better.
Isla sighed, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Did she deserve better? At one point, she believed Ethan loved her. But now, everything felt like a game of power and control, and she wasn’t sure how to escape.
Before she could type another reply, she heard the bedroom door creak open. Ethan had left the room. She quickly put her phone down, her heart racing as she wondered what he was doing.
She could hear his footsteps moving down the hall, his pace deliberate. Isla stood up and peeked out the door of the guest room, just in time to see Ethan heading toward the front door. He was dressed in a suit now, his usual air of confidence wrapped around him like armor.
Was he going out again? At this hour?
Her mind whirled with questions, but she hesitated to follow. Ethan had been unpredictable lately, and she didn’t want to provoke another confrontation. But something in her gut told her that whatever he was up to tonight had nothing to do with business.
The next morning, Isla woke up to the soft light filtering through the curtains. She blinked, disoriented for a moment, before the events of the previous night came crashing back into her mind. She glanced at the clock—it was early, but they had the big meeting today. It was crucial.
For a moment, she debated checking if Ethan had returned. But she knew that if he had, there would be no apology, no explanation. It was as if they were living parallel lives, forced to cross paths only when necessary.
She got up, dressed quickly in a professional black suit, and went to the kitchen to make coffee. The house was quiet—eerily so. As she poured herself a cup, she heard the front door creak open. She froze, listening to the familiar sound of Ethan’s footsteps approaching.
Isla turned to see him walk in, looking as if nothing had happened. He was dressed sharply in his business attire, his expression unreadable, though there was a hint of tiredness around his eyes.
“You’re up early,” he commented as he strode toward the table, grabbing his phone from where it had been left the previous night.
“I didn’t sleep much,” Isla replied, her voice steady. She wasn’t going to let him know how much last night had affected her.
Ethan didn’t respond. He was already checking his phone, scrolling through emails as if their argument—and his late-night disappearance—meant nothing. Isla clenched her jaw, but she forced herself to focus on the meeting ahead.
“We need to leave in an hour,” she reminded him.
He nodded absentmindedly, still engrossed in his phone. “I’ll be ready.”
The silence between them stretched out, thick and uncomfortable. Isla wanted to ask where he had gone, who he had been with, but she knew better than to expect any real answer. Instead, she busied herself with getting ready for the day, checking her notes for the client meeting.
As the hour passed, Ethan stood up, straightened his tie, and finally glanced at her. “Let’s go.”
They drove in silence, the tension in the car almost suffocating. Isla kept her eyes on the road ahead, mentally preparing herself for the meeting. She couldn’t afford to let her personal issues with Ethan affect the business. This deal could solidify their financial stability and give her leverage she desperately needed.
When they arrived at the office building, Ethan’s cold, professional demeanor took over completely. He walked ahead of her, his posture commanding, his face a mask of indifference. Isla followed, her own mask slipping into place. She had to play her part.
They entered the meeting room, where the clients were already seated. Mr. Gray, the senior partner, stood up to greet them, his eyes flicking between Isla and Ethan.
“Good to see you both,” Mr. Gray said warmly, though there was a slight hesitation in his tone. Isla couldn’t help but wonder if he sensed the tension between her and Ethan.
“Likewise,” Ethan replied smoothly, shaking hands. Isla followed suit, keeping her smile professional, though her heart was pounding.
The meeting began, and for the next hour, Isla focused on the presentation, blocking out everything else. Ethan was his usual charismatic self, effortlessly commanding the room. Despite their personal differences, he was good at what he did. They worked in tandem, their dynamic polished and efficient, if nothing else.
As the meeting came to a close, Mr. Gray looked impressed. “Well, I think we have a deal,” he said, shaking Ethan’s hand again before turning to Isla. “Your insights were invaluable; Isla I look forward to working with you.”
Isla smiled, though inside, she felt hollow. “Thank you. We’re excited to move forward.”
“Oh, by the way, Mr. Jones is already in your office, Ethan,” Mr. Gray said, but Isla quickly spoke up.
“Oh, don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of Mr. Jones for now. You two go ahead and talk,” she said, glancing at Ethan before walking towards his office, where Mr. Jones was waiting for her.
Isla’s heels clicked against the polished floor as she made her way toward Ethan’s office, her heart pounding in her chest. She had interrupted the conversation with a confidence she barely felt, desperate to take control of the situation. Mr. Jones was one of their most important clients, and the tension with Ethan had been suffocating her. She needed the space to gather herself, to prove that she could handle things on her own.
As she reached the door, she took a deep breath, her hand hovering over the handle. For a moment, she hesitated. What would Mr. Jones think of her, coming in alone, without Ethan by her side? She quickly brushed the thought away and pushed the door open.
Inside, Mr. Jones was seated at the large mahogany desk, looking at some papers. He glanced up as she entered and smiled warmly, though his eyes flickered with curiosity. “Isla,” he greeted, standing to shake her hand. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Mr. Jones, a pleasure to see you again,” Isla said, forcing a polite smile. She took his hand, her grip firm. “Ethan had something come up, so I’ll be handling things for now. I hope that’s alright.”
“Of course,” Mr. Jones said, though there was a slight hesitation in his voice. He gestured for her to sit across from him.
Isla sat down, crossing her legs and clasping her hands in her lap, trying to appear composed despite the chaos swirling inside her. She knew Ethan would never have let her take charge of this meeting under normal circumstances, but today, she needed to show both Mr. Jones and Ethan that she could manage without him.
“So,” Isla began, shifting the conversation to the contract they were about to finalize. “I’ve reviewed the proposal and made some adjustments that I believe will benefit both of us moving forward.”
She spoke with authority, her voice calm and professional as she outlined the changes. Mr. Jones listened carefully, nodding along as she explained her reasoning. Isla felt a flicker of pride—this was her moment, and she was seizing it.
As the conversation continued, Isla felt the tension easing from her shoulders. Mr. Jones seemed genuinely impressed by her insights and suggestions. The meeting was going well—better than she had expected.
Isla was taken aback when Mr. Jones suddenly touched her leg, prompting her to slap him. “What are you doing, Mr. Jones!”
“What? Are you forgetting, Isla, that I haven’t signed our contract yet, and you’re reacting like that?” he said firmly, as if threatening her.
“I don’t care, you’re disrespecting me, Mr. Jones!” Isla shouted.
He just smirked. “Really? Is it because you’re already Ethan’s wife?”
Suddenly, the door to Ethan’s office swung open, and Ethan strode in. His face was a mask of irritation, and Isla’s heart sank.
“Isla,” he said coldly, his eyes narrowing. “What are you doing?”
Mr. Jones looked at Ethan with anger. “Oh, there you are, Ethan,” he said firmly. “You should tell your wife to behave; she slapped me!”
Isla’s hand was still trembling from the slap as the words of Mr. Jones hung in the air. Ethan’s gaze flicked between Isla and Mr. Jones, his face a mixture of cold calculation and barely contained rage.
“What did you do?” Ethan’s voice was sharp, directed at Isla as if she were the one at fault.
Isla’s pulse quickened, her stomach knotting with fear and anger. “What did I do?” she repeated incredulously, her voice rising. “Mr. Jones touched me inappropriately, so I defended myself.”
Mr. Jones chuckled darkly, adjusting his suit as if nothing had happened. “Touched? I barely grazed her. Overreacting, that’s all. But you know how things go in business, Ethan. One bad move can sour an entire deal.” He smirked, clearly feeling he held the upper hand.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed, and Isla could feel the air shift in the room—his frustration bubbling under the surface. Without looking at her, Ethan addressed Mr. Jones. “Mr. Jones, I’m sorry for what my wife did to you.”
Isla felt her anger flare even more. “Why? Why are you apologizing to him?” she asked Ethan firmly. He was the one at fault, and yet he was apologizing to that Mr. Jones.
Ethan shot her a sharp look. “Can you just apologize to Mr. Jones, Isla?” he said firmly. Isla noticed Mr. Jones smirking; he was being defended? He disrespected me!
Isla’s chest tightened at Ethan’s words. “Sorry? Why should I apologize for what he did?” Her voice rose, laced with incredulity and anger. “He crossed a line, Ethan!”
Mr. Jones leaned back in his chair, a smug expression plastered on his face. “You see, Ethan? This is why I told you to keep her in check. She’s volatile.”
Ethan’s jaw clenched, and Isla could see the internal battle raging within him. “Isla,” he said, his tone low but firm, “Be professional. It’s about the business, the contract. Please, just do what I ask.”
“Do what you ask?” Isla felt her voice rising, echoing in the tension-filled room. “You want me to apologize to the man who disrespected me? For what? So, he can think he has power over me? Over us?”
“So, you really just going to let him walk all over me? You’re willing to apologize to a man who disrespected me?”
“Enough,” Ethan snapped, his voice slicing through the tension. He took a step closer to her, lowering his voice. “Do you even hear yourself? Just... apologize to him, and let’s move on.”
Isla shook her head, fury coursing through her veins. “You don’t get it! I’m not your pawn in this game, Ethan. I’m your wife! I deserve your support, not your shame.”
For a moment, silence hung heavy between them. Ethan’s jaw tightened, and Isla could see the struggle in his eyes—a mix of frustration and something softer she couldn’t quite grasp. But then the hardness returned.
“Say it, Isla,” he said, his tone brokering no argument. “Apologize.”
Isla felt the walls closing in around her. Mr. Jones, watching the exchange with amusement, leaned forward. “You really should listen to your husband, Isla. After all, he knows how to play the game. You’re just a newcomer in this world.”
Isla felt the heat rise in her cheeks, but she refused to let Mr. Jones provoke her. She turned to Ethan, searching his eyes for any sign of support. “You’re not going to let him talk to me like that, are you?”
Ethan’s gaze flickered, and for a moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of empathy. But then he straightened, the mask of indifference slipping back into place. “Isla, just apologize. It’ll make things easier for everyone.”
“No.” The word escaped her lips with a fierce determination. “I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do wrong. I’m not sorry for standing up for myself.”
Mr. Jones laughed lightly, the sound dripping with condescension. “This is quite the spectacle, I’m sorry Ethan. I might reconsider the contract.”
Mr. Jones left without signing the contract. Because of what happened, Ethan was even angrier at Isla. “Do you know that Mr. Jones is one of our important clients?”
Isla clenched her jaw at Ethan. “I don’t care, he disrespected me,” she said firmly.
“Disrespected? You could have just pretended nothing happened,” he replied sternly.
Isla felt her heart race, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “You think I should just let it slide? You want me to pretend it didn’t happen? That’s not how this works, Ethan!”
Ethan’s jaw tightened, his irritation palpable. “You’ve jeopardized everything we’ve worked for, Isla! All because you couldn’t keep your cool in a professional setting.”
“Professional?” Isla echoed incredulously. “You call letting a man grope me ‘professional’? That’s your definition of keeping it business?”
His eyes narrowed, anger flickering in their depths. “It’s about playing the game, Isla. Sometimes that means swallowing your pride for the bigger picture. You don’t have to like it, but you have to understand it!”
“No, I don’t!” Isla shot back, her voice rising. “I won’t play along with your twisted version of professionalism. I refuse to be silenced or to tolerate harassment in any form!”
Ethan’s frustration morphed into something more intense, a mix of anger and desperation. “You don’t get it! We need this contract. We can’t afford to lose clients over your emotions!”
“Emotions?” Isla laughed bitterly. “This isn’t just about emotions, Ethan. This is about my self-respect! My dignity! And if that means losing a client, then so be it.”
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly torn. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“I’m being realistic,” she countered, standing her ground. “If you can’t see that, maybe we have bigger problems than just Mr. Jones.”
Ethan’s expression darkened, and Isla felt the weight of his frustration like a physical presence. “You’re making this personal,” he said, voice low. “And it can’t be personal if we want to succeed.”
“Why can’t it be personal?” she shot back. “Everything we do is personal. You’re my husband, yet you want me to act like a pawn. I won’t do it!”
Ethan turned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Why are you being so mean? Ruthless? Huh?” Isla’s voice cracked slightly, her emotions spilling over.
“Mean?” Ethan echoed, incredulity lacing his tone. “I’m trying to protect everything we’ve built, and you’re just throwing it away like it doesn’t matter!”
“It does matter!” she shot back, her heart racing. “But not at the cost of my dignity! You think I can just let this go? I won’t stand by and let anyone treat me like that, especially for a contract!”
Ethan’s eyes flared with anger, but there was also pain lurking behind them. “You’re making this about something it doesn’t have to be. You don’t have to be the martyr every time something goes wrong.”
“Martyr?” Isla felt the sting of his words. “I’m not trying to be a martyr. I’m standing up for myself! For us! If you can’t see that, then what’s the point?”
“Maybe the point is to survive in a ruthless world!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. “You think this is just about you? This affects us both, and you’re acting like a child!”
“Acting like a child?” Isla’s voice rose. “You’re the one who can’t handle a little confrontation! You’re willing to sacrifice my self-respect for the sake of a deal!”
He stepped closer, frustration radiating off him. “I’m trying to help us, Isla! If you can’t understand that, then I don’t know what else to say!”
“Help us? By letting me be disrespected?” she challenged, her heart pounding. “If that’s your idea of help, then we are fundamentally different people.”
Ethan’s expression softened momentarily, but the flicker of doubt quickly vanished. “Look, I don’t care about how you feel. What I’m most concerned about right now is the company,” he said firmly, each word piercing Isla like a dagger.
At that moment, tears began to flow down Isla’s cheeks. The weight of his words felt unbearable, and the hurt was palpable. “You’re being a jerk!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
He avoided her gaze, and in that silence, Isla wiped her tears away, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “I can’t believe you would say that to me,” she whispered, hurt and anger mingling in her chest.
“Isla—” he started, but she cut him off.
“No! You don’t get to just dismiss my feelings like that,” she shot back, her voice rising. “I’m fighting for our marriage, for our integrity, and you’re acting like it doesn’t matter!”
Without waiting for a response, Isla turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Ethan standing there, a mix of frustration and confusion on his face. As she walked away, she felt the weight of their unresolved issues pressing down on her.
The hallway felt endless, but she needed to put distance between them. Her heart ached, torn between the love she still felt for him and the anger over how he was treating her.
Once outside, Isla leaned against the wall, tears streaming down her face. How had they gotten to this point? The man she married was still in there somewhere, but it felt like he was lost beneath layers of business and pride.
She took a moment to collect herself, her mind racing. She wouldn’t let this define her; she had to stand up for what she believed in, even if it meant risking everything.
With renewed determination, she wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and resolved to confront Ethan again. They needed to have a real conversation about their marriage and the boundaries they were willing to set.
As she turned to head back, she steeled herself for what was to come. There was no way she was backing down now.