Chapter 19

Noah stood inside the studio for a full hour before he finally turned and walked out. He was torn and uncertain. He was struggling with the question of whether he should forcefully take Isabelle away. In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated. As long as she was by his side, that was enough. But now, a flicker of hope crept into his heart. He wanted her to come back to him out of love, just like before. More than anything, he wanted her to be happy. The two conflicting thoughts battled in his mind, buzzing so loudly it felt like his ears were ringing. He ended up at a bar. He ordered a full table of hard liquor and downed glass after glass. The burn in his throat couldn't chase away the darkness in his chest. The more he drank, the more it hurt. Leaning back against the couch, he laughed bitterly as his eyes turned red. How had things ended up like this? They had loved each other so deeply. She used to cling to him and never wanted to be apart. Why did he push her away? Why had