Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 610

Nate walked away without a backward glance, and Belle watched his retreating figure, a pang of longing in her chest.

"Nate, can't you just look back at me? I'm leaving, for real this time... I won't come back."

It wasn't like she couldn't live without him. Life would simply be one person short - no big deal. And it's not like he had ever treated her well.

Maybe leaving him was for the best.

Belle tried to convince herself to let go, but the sharp pangs in her heart told her that she couldn't.

The table was cluttered with dirty dishes - the kind of mess most would walk away from. But Belle gathered them up, one by one, and brought them to the kitchen to wash and sterilize before placing each back in the cabinet.

After tidying up, she even washed Nate's clothes from the night before and mopped the house clean. By the time she was done, it was past noon, yet she felt no hunger. Packing her bags, she decided to take only what she brought with her - nothing Nate had given her.

Her old suitcase looked pitiful as she packed it lightly with clothes, books, and a few journals.

Placing it by the bedroom door, she then took out a red dress from the wardrobe and slipped out of her white sundress. She intended to just drop it, but she couldn't help but hold it and look at it again.

Few had ever been kind to her; for a timid soul, even a single piece of candy could feel overwhelmingly sweet.

There were no free lunches in life. What wasn't meant to be yours, would never be. Would someone who loved you ever bear to see you sad?

Tears fell again, and Belle wiped them away.

To Nate, she was less than a stand-in.

What was she then? An easily exchangeable commodity.

Looking back, her life seemed insignificant and pitiful. She felt like an ant in a colony, living a monotonous life, easily crushed by the slightest pressure.

If only she had never met Nate. She might still be a weak ant, but at least she'd be free.

Donning the red dress, Belle sat blankly on the bed, watching the daylight fade. Eventually, she rose and walked to the vanity, staring at the photo of Izabella as she applied her makeup, meticulously drawing the eyeliner and painting her lips.

Looking in the mirror, she almost couldn't tell who she was anymore.

Belle forced a smile, recalling a phrase Nate often said to her, "You need to smile like that to look like her."

Some people want you to smile because they wish you joy. Others want you to smile to find echoes of someone else in you.

Belle belonged to the latter, the tragic kind.

At eight o'clock, Nate's driver arrived on time. Belle descended the stairs with a practiced, radiant smile - so unlike herself.

"Ms. Salotti, your car awaits," the driver said, opening the door for her with respect.

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