A Love to Forget novel Chapter 4

Esme stepped inside the house while Isaiah stayed outside to park the car. She froze at the sight of Audrey lounging on the couch in a silk nightgown, munching on snacks and watching TV.

Feigning casualness, Esme asked, "Didn't you say you had a mixer tonight and wouldn't be home?"

Audrey smiled coyly, lowering her gaze as if shy. "Oh, Esme, I totally forgot to tell you. I actually fought with my boyfriend, so I went to the mixer just to piss him off. But, guess what? The moment I got there, he showed up, furious, and dragged me out."

Audrey leaned forward, pulling down her neckline to reveal faint marks scattered across her skin. She threw Esme a sly glance.

She added, "I never thought he'd be that jealous. He got so worked up, we ended up going at it three times in his car."

Esme clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms, the pain barely keeping her grounded. She forced a deep breath. "A boyfriend? You've never mentioned him before. When did this start?"

Audrey tilted her head as if pondering, then replied nonchalantly, "About three months ago."

Three months was the exact time Audrey had moved into the Jabs residence, supposedly because Isaiah's friend had asked him to look out for his younger sister. It became clear—Audrey had been involved with Isaiah since day one.

Esme's chest tightened, but before she could say more, a warm, familiar hand landed on her shoulder.

Isaiah's voice was gentle as he walked in. "Essie, you've had a long day. Let me run you a bath so you can relax, okay?"

Before she could protest, he ushered her toward the bathroom.

...

Esme was about to undress when she realized she had forgotten to bring fresh clothes. She opened the door, only to see something that made her blood run cold.

Isaiah was on the couch, pinning Audrey down as he tugged impatiently at her nightgown. His lips trailed down her neck to her collarbone, his hands gripping her waist tightly.

Audrey's voice rose in breathy gasps. "Isaiah, slower! Esme's just in the bathroom. Didn't you get enough earlier in the car?"

His grip tightened, and he growled, "Shut up. If you dare see another man again, I'll—"

Audrey smirked, her eyes suddenly flicking to Esme standing frozen at the door. With a sly, mocking smile, she tilted her head back, whispering seductively, "Alright, alright. I'm all yours, you jealous maniac."

Esme could not bear to watch anymore. She snatched up her clothes and slammed the bathroom door shut. Inside, she sank into the warm bathwater, but her mind was stuck on the scene she had just witnessed.

The betrayal was suffocating. Memories of their honeymoon flooded back—the way Isaiah had once been just as obsessed with her.

Five years ago, on their honeymoon trip to a tropical island, she glanced at a shirtless man on the beach. Isaiah had dragged her back to their suite, seething with jealousy.