Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness
Finished
Estella watched as Nathaniel walked arm in arm with Isabelle, socializing with everyone. She found it utterly meaningless.
Her gaze searched for Madeline. When she spotted her surrounded by a group of wealthy ladies, she chose not to approach. of wealthy ladies, she chose not to approach.
Only when Madeline was alone did she walk over and present h
gift.
Madeline saw her, her expression complicated. “The divorce certificate will be ready in five days, Stella. I really hate to part with you.”
Back then, after Nathaniel lost the ability to walk, his temper became unbearable. He lashed out at people, both verbally and physically. Madeline had hired over a dozen caregivers, but they all fled in fear.
In the end, with no other options, Madeline came up with the terrible idea of finding a stand–in.
She was truly lucky to have found someone like Estella, a gentle and kind–hearted girl.
Estella looked at Madeline and smiled warmly. “I’ll come visit when I have time, Madam Madeline.”
Since they were divorcing, she naturally couldn’t call her “Mom” anymore.
Madeline nodded, her eyes slightly red.
She took a card from her bag and pressed it into Estella’s hand. “There’s 140,000 dollars on this card. It’s my compensation to you. As for the villa, everything’s been arranged. My assistant will go with you tomorrow to handle the transfer.”
Estella glanced at the card but didn’t refuse. She accepted it.
Even if she and Nathaniel had only been a contract couple, she believed she had every right to take this compensation without guilt.
For three years, she had fulfilled all her duties as a wife. She had endured Nathaniel’s outbursts, his emotional and physical cruelty. She had tolerated his affairs.
Because of Nathaniel, she had lived without dignity for three years.
“Mom, what did you just give Estella? And what was that about a transfer?” Naomi suddenly appeared beside them, her face full of curiosity.
Madeline shot her an annoyed glare. “Nothing. Why are you being so nosy?”
Naomi frowned. “Mom, did you secretly give Estella money? Nathaniel already supports her every month, and now you’re giving her more? Don’t let her scam you! She’s just a gold digger. Nathaniel only married her because he had no other choice. Now that he’s fine, he doesn’t need her anymore. You should’ve kicked her out long ago.”
Then, she turned to Estella, furious. “Estella, you married Nathaniel, lived in a huge house, had maids waiting on you. What more do you want? Don’t you dare to be greedy! I’ll have Nathaniel teach you a lesson!”
For the past two years, Naomi had watched Nathaniel lash out at Estella whenever he was in a bad mood. In her eyes, Estella was nothing more than Nathaniel’s possession, someone he could scold and hit at will.
Estella had no interest in arguing with her. She turned to leave.
Naomi tried to grab her and continue berating her, but Madeline stopped her.
Madeline snapped, “Stella isn’t what you think. She’s already agreed to divorce your brother.”
Naomi’s eyes lit up. “Really? She’s actually willing?”
Madeline shot her a look and sighed. “Stop stirring up trouble. These past three years, she took care of Nathaniel better than any nurse or maid. She truly cared about him. And besides…”
She hesitated, then finally spoke her true thoughts. “I’m giving her money not just as compensation, but also to shut her up so people won’t say my son slept with her for free for three years!”
1/4
Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness
140,000 dollars and a villa were nothing to the Hartwell family.
If Estella could take the money and leave quietly, that would be for the best.
Hearing this, Naomi couldn’t help but ask, “Then doesn’t that mean Nathaniel can marry Belle?”
Finished
Madeline’s expression instantly turned cold. “Isabelle can be Nathaniel’s girlfriend, his lover and whatever she wants! But she can forget about the title of Mrs. Hartwell for the rest of her life!”
She hadn’t forgotten why her son ended up crippled!
How dare that fickle woman think she can marry my son?
Once Nathaniel’s divorce was finalized, she would arrange a proper match for him.
Estella was about to leave when she suddenly heard Isabelle call her.
“Estella!”
Isabelle walked toward her, draped in Nathaniel’s suit jacket.
Estella didn’t really want to talk to her, but it was clear Isabelle wasn’t going to let her go so easily.
“What do you want?”
Smiling. Isabelle placed a silk scarf in Estella’s hand. “I accidentally got this dirty just now. Nate bought it for me in Chilland. It was really expensive, and it can only be hand–washed. Nate said you do laundry even better than the housekeeper. Could you take it home and wash it for me?”
Estella felt utterly insulted. “Get lost. I’m not your maid.”
She turned to leave, but Isabelle grabbed her wrist, her tone laced with arrogance, completely different from the delicate, innocent act she put on in front of Nathaniel. “Did you just tell me to get lost? Who do you think you are? You’re nothing but a plaything meant to serve. Did you really think you were Mrs. Hartwell?”
Those humiliating words ignited Estella’s fury. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and slapped Isabelle across the face.
At that moment, Nathaniel happened to walk over with a plate of cake. Seeing Isabelle get slapped, he rushed forward to support her. “Belle, are you okay?”
Isabelle clutched her face, her eyes welling up with tears as she leaned into his arms, sobbing. “I’m fine. Nate, don’t be mad. Estella didn’t mean to She was just upset that I’ve been keeping you away from her, that you won’t go home to be with her. I understand… It’s my fault…”
Hearing this, Nathaniel looked up and shot Estella a cold glare. “Estella, you have one minute to explain yourself.”
Estella had no patience to argue when Isabelle was twisting the truth so shamelessly. With an indifferent expression, she said, “She enjoys being humiliated, so I slapped her. What’s there to explain?”
Nathaniel’s breathing grew heavier, his gaze dark and menacing as if he was about to tear her apart.
If not for the guests around, he would’ve already taught Estella a lesson.
Knowing how much he cared about appearances, Estella lifted her chin arrogantly. “Mr. Hartwell, if you have no further instructions, I’ll be taking my leave.”
She turned and walked away, back straight and unyielding.
Isabelle, seeing that Nathaniel didn’t stand up for her, cried even harder, her tears falling like shattered pearls.
“Nate, it hurts so much…”
Nathaniel gently comforted her. “Don’t cry. I’ll stay with you tonight. I’ll make sure she pays for this.”
2/4
3.18 PM P P
Chapter 8 Trapped in the Darkness
Isabelle weakly nodded. “Nate, you’re the best.”
Finished
Estella returned to her apartment complex.
At the entrance, the security guard greeted her. “Mrs. Hartwell, you have a package, but the delivery guy sent it to the wrong floor. The owner there had their housekeeper leave it in the property management office on the fifth floor. You’ll have to pick it up yourself.”
Curious about which package had been misplaced, Estella pulled out her phone as she made her way to the management building.
She stepped into the elevator.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Startled, she quickly turned on her phone’s flashlight and pressed the emergency button. No response.
She tried calling the management office.
But her phone had lost signal.
Her battery was running low.
Soon, the last bit of light flickered out.
Estella had night blindness. Trapped in the cramped darkness, she felt as if invisible hands were tightening around her throat, cutting off her air.
A suffocating fear surged through her like a tidal wave. She wrapped her arms around her head, curled up in the corner, and trembled uncontrollably.
Memories of the night her father jumped came rushing back.
She had gone to Hayes Group to find him.
The office had been pitch black. She’d turned on her phone’s flashlight and saw him sitting alone by the window, drinking.
When he saw her, he smiled faintly. His smile was a haunting blend of sorrow and eeriness.
The sight startled her, and her phone slipped from her grasp.
The light went out.
She was left alone in the darkness..
A nameless terror spread from deep within her heart.
She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard the commotion outside.
“Someone jumped!”
Her tears fell instantly.
Drip, drip…
At that moment, her world collapsed.
She endured the night in the elevator, battling her fear.
The next morning, the property staff finally pried the doors open.
Seeing her, they were shocked.
3/4
“Mrs. Hartwell? What are you doing here? This elevator’s been out of service for a while. Didn’t you see the notice? Wait, who tore down the sign?”
