Chapter 9: The Escalation of a Love Triangle

The London night unfolded like a grand yet slightly eerie oil painting. The streets, with their winding alleys, were thick with an air of mystery and subtle intrigue, while the European-style buildings bathed in the glow of streetlights seemed to be draped in a dreamlike veil. Beneath this seemingly perfect surface, however, a web of emotional turmoil was silently growing.

Isabella stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her lavish apartment, gazing out at the bustling city below. Yet, her eyes betrayed a heart full of jealousy and discontent. She thought back to her past relationships, and the bitterness in her heart only deepened.

Once, at a grand art salon, Isabella had met a young noble painter. With his deep, expressive eyes and refined manner, they had instantly hit it off. Over time, they had begun to spend more and more time together—strolling down the streets of Paris, admiring the treasures of the Louvre; sitting in cafés by the Seine, discussing their artistic ideals and dreaming of a beautiful future. Isabella had believed she had found the love of her life, pouring her heart into him with complete sincerity.

But, as it often happens, happiness didn't last. On one fateful occasion, Isabella discovered the painter acting intimately with another woman. Her heart shattered in an instant, torn between anger and agony. She confronted him, only to receive cold indifference and a heartless betrayal. During that period, Isabella fell into a deep despair, feeling as though her entire world had collapsed. She became sensitive and paranoid, her trust in love completely shattered.

From that moment on, Isabella's approach to relationships grew increasingly obsessive and extreme. She longed for the attention and affection of others but was terrified of experiencing the same heartbreak again. Whenever she saw others enjoying the happiness of love, the jealousy in her heart would grow like wild weeds, uncontrollable and suffocating.

Now, she watched as Sophia and Antonio's relationship slowly reignited, her jealousy burning hotter with each passing day.

"Why? Why does Sophia deserve Antonio's love?" Isabella muttered through clenched teeth, her hands tightening into fists, nails digging into her palms. "I come from an artistic family, my beauty and talent are on par with hers. I once gave my heart completely, only to be betrayed. This time, I won't let her succeed. I will take Antonio back."

The memory of Antonio's tender gazes and gentle care for Sophia in social gatherings stung her like a thousand needles. "That ordinary woman, she's only using some petty tricks to deceive Antonio. Hmph, I won't let her continue to gloat. I'll make her understand—those who ruin my love never have a happy ending."

To achieve her goal, Isabella meticulously prepared herself. She donned the red evening gown that had once made her the star of every social gathering. The gown was perfectly tailored, highlighting her graceful figure. She adorned herself with dazzling jewels, her curls flowing delicately over her shoulders, exuding an aura of irresistible allure.

"Tonight, I will make Antonio see my charm. He will know that I am the one who truly suits him. I won't be discarded again. This time, I'll take control of my love life." Isabella gazed into the mirror, her eyes filled with fierce determination. "Sophia, just wait. I'll make you lose Antonio and teach you a lesson for going against me."

She began to frequent the places where Antonio often appeared, eagerly anticipating the "perfect" chance encounter.

Finally, on a starry night, Antonio attended a European classical concert. Dressed in a crisp black suit, his tall figure looked even more striking under the lights. As he tilted his head slightly, still absorbed in the beautiful music, he made his way toward the exit with a light step.

At that moment, Isabella appeared before him like a beautiful yet dangerous butterfly, gracefully making her entrance. Her face wore a sweet smile, but her eyes held a barely perceptible gleam of mischief. She gently took Antonio's arm, pressing herself close to him, her gaze seductive and her tone affectionate as she whispered, "Tonio, you look exhausted. I know a wonderful place where we can relax. Would you come with me?"

Seeing Antonio pause for a moment, Isabella felt a smug satisfaction surge within her. "Hmph, he's already drawn to me. With just a little nudge, I can have him in my grasp. This time, I won't fail. I'll make him mine, and reclaim what I've lost."

But Antonio's response was like a cold shower, extinguishing her hopes. "Thank you for the offer, Isabella, but I already have plans." He gently freed his arm from her grasp and, without hesitation, turned and walked away.

Isabella stood there, watching him leave, her smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a look of displeasure and frustration. Her fists clenched tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms. "It must be because of you, Sophia. Antonio rejected me because of you. You vile woman, I won't let you get away with this. I'll come up with a more cunning plan to destroy your relationship with Antonio and make you lose his trust forever. I won't let history repeat itself. I'll take back my happiness."

Refusing to accept defeat, she silently swore to herself, "I'll make Antonio regret rejecting me. He'll see that Isabella is not someone easily ignored. No matter what it costs, I will have him back. This time, I will succeed."

And this scene, by a twist of fate, was witnessed by Sophia, who had arrived with the intention of surprising Antonio. She had carefully chosen a bouquet of Antonio's favourite flowers, her heart full of hope for their beautiful future together.

At that moment, she felt as if a sharp blade had pierced through her heart. The bouquet slipped from her hands, petals scattering on the ground. Her heart ached as if being torn apart, and tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring her vision. It felt as though the world had collapsed in an instant.

She stumbled back to her room and threw herself onto the bed, overwhelmed by the pain and uncertainty that flooded her mind. "Why? Why is this happening? Could our love be so fragile?" she kept asking herself, feeling as though she had fallen into an endless abyss, with no way out.

Sophia had always been a sensitive and delicate soul, immersed in the world of art for many years, painting her hopes and dreams. Her artwork reflected her inner world—full of love for life and a longing for true love. Throughout her journey with Antonio, she had given him her entire heart, viewing him as the most important person in her life.

She recalled the romantic tales of love from across Europe, where every enduring love had to weather countless trials. Lovers, when faced with adversity, held fast to each other and ultimately found happiness. "I can't just give up. Our love will withstand this trial. We've been through so much together, he must still love me." She whispered to herself, vowing to stay strong, refusing to let the present despair break her.

Sitting up in bed, she took a deep breath, striving to calm herself. She began to recall all the moments she had shared with Antonio—the hours spent in the art collection room discussing paintings, the laughter they shared during walks in Hyde Park—those memories became her strength in that moment.

She picked up her sketchbook, which held all the pieces of art she had created for Antonio. Each painting was a testament to their love. Gently, she caressed the cover, her eyes beginning to fill with determination.

She made a decision: she would confront Antonio and clear up the misunderstanding. She believed that as long as they were open with each other, their love could overcome this obstacle.

However, just as she stood up to leave, she heard a faint sound outside the door. Startled, Sophia froze. She quietly approached the door, holding her breath, trying to hear who was outside. As she reached for the handle, she heard murmurs—soft whispers, but enough for her to catch words like "plan" and "won't let her have peace."

Whose voices were those? What were they planning against her? Sophia's heart raced with fear and confusion. She didn't know what lay ahead, and the seemingly calm night seemed to hold yet another hidden danger. Gripping the doorknob, her fingers whitened, and a wave of unease surged through her. She knew that she must face whatever was coming head-on, for the sake of her love with Antonio...