CHAPTER 69: Shattered Trust

  Isabelle stood frozen at the door for a moment as she pushed it open. The weight of the night's events pressed down on her and the atmosphere inside the house felt thick with tension.

  Her heart raced and tears stung her eyes. She knew something was terribly wrong. She could feel it in the way John looked at her, his face twisted in anger, horror and disbelief. Rachel and Emily stood on either side of him, offering him false comfort, their eyes filled with cold satisfaction. Rebecca was in the corner, her arms crossed, watching silently with a troubled expression.

  Isabelle took a shaky step inside, her knees weak as she wiped at the tears streaming down her face.

  "John, John, please... let me explain." She whispered, her voice breaking. Her breath came in shallow, panicked gasps as she tried to force the words out. She could barely look at him, the pain in his eyes cutting through her like a knife.