10 Days To Escape My Marriage Chapter 18
Isabella never expected that Anika and William were actually childhood friends.
“The Sullivans and the Harringtons were close for generations. It’s just that our family flourished. while the Harringtons… have always had a single heir.”
“By the last generation, the relationship had already soured.
Me and… William.”
Mentioning the name, he glanced at Isabella.
Seeing her expression remain unchanged, he continued.
“We lived next door to each other when we were kids and played together all the time. But later. we realized our values didn’t align, and we gradually lost touch.”
“Values didn’t align?
What kind of values?”
Isabella was curious.
But when she pressed him again, Anika remained silent, so she let it drop. “Fine, keep your secrets. We’re almost at the Grand Canyon, so get ready.”
Anika nodded in agreement and picked up the camera gear.
The two were traveling around America and had been on the road for over a month.
Her previously vague idea had finally found support as the [Phoenix Rising] account gradually exploded in popularity.
When the therapist announced she could be discharged, she told Samantha, “I’ve decided to become a travel vlogger.
To use my story to encourage those tormented by illness.”
She had been sick for four years, undergoing over a hundred surgeries, big and small, followed by another year of rehabilitation.
Almost all the best years of her youth were spent fighting disease.
But she had recovered now, and she could even live a good life.
Just as the therapist said, perhaps she was well–suited for this kind of work.
Isabella’s mind was made up. Samantha had seen it coming, yet she was still worried.
“I have to study, and I don’t feel safe letting you go alone.”
Anika, who had been listening silently, suddenly spoke up: “I can go with her.”
“But you need care yourself,” Samantha shook her head. “Wouldn’t you just be a burden?”
But Isabella saw something in his expression, her eyes filling with anticipation. Anika didn’t say a word,
He simply pushed against the wheelchair and gradually stood up straight.
“Anika! You’re better!”
Samantha was overjoyed.
The therapist had said Isabella might be able to untie the knot in Anika’s heart, but she hadn’t believed it.
She never expected it to actually happen after just a few months!
“I can only stand for a little while right now, and walking is a bit of a struggle… but I think by the end of the trip, I should be fully recovered.”
Anika spoke slowly, “Isabella has such vibrant vitality, she can infect and inspire others.
I am the best example of that… so there is no one more suitable than me.”
The two looked at each other in silence, understanding everything without a word.
Samantha, filled with surprise and joy, feigned a sigh. “Oh well, looks like I have to hand my partner over to you for now!
Brother, if you don’t take good care of her, I’m holding you responsible!”
Anika nodded solemnly.
And so, the two traveled at their own pace, stopping to take photos and update the blog whenever they reached a scenic spot.
Anika lived up to his reputation as a genius. He quickly mastered photography, editing, and vlogging to perfection, impressing even Samantha.
The [Phoenix Rising] account was attracting more and more attention.
Today, the two arrived at the famous Grand Canyon Falls.
Although Anika could walk a few steps, he still got tired if it took too long, so Isabella pushed him in the wheelchair to the spot first.
Just as they stopped and prepared to take photos, Isabella suddenly smiled and leaned in close to Anika.
“Don’t move, there’s a leaf on your head.”
She bent down to pick off the leaf, then looked up to find Anika gazing at her intently, causing her heart to skip a beat.
But right at that moment, a furious roar came from behind.
“Anika… Sullivan!
Stay away from my wife!”
Isabella was startled; she looked up only to see a dark shadow rushing towards them.
The next second, the shadow slammed straight into Anika.
It was William.
Like a raging madman, he knocked over the wheelchair, pinned Anika down, and raised his fist to strike.
“You cripple! Who gave you the nerve to seduce my wife?”
Isabella screamed, rushing to intervene, but before William could even land his first punch, he was already flipped onto his back.
Anika sneered, “She’s not your wife. Watch your mouth.
Besides… you’ve never been able to beat me. Have you forgotten?”
William hadn’t realized his legs had regained their strength. Caught off guard, he took a brutal punch, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
But he scrambled up instantly, lunging forward with reckless abandon, and the two were soon locked in a brawl.
The spot Isabella had chosen was close to the lake, and in their struggle, they tumbled into the water together.
William couldn’t swim. He choked on mouthfuls of water instantly, struggling to keep his head above the surface, just in time to see Isabella dive in.
“Isabella… Isabella, save me…”
But Isabella cast him a cold glance and swam straight toward Anika.
She dragged Anika ashore, ignoring her own drenched state as she hurriedly found a towel to drape over him.
“Are you okay?
Dry off quickly, don’t catch a cold.”
William watched this scene in despair. Finally unable to hold on, his vision gradually went black.
The moment he passed out, he suddenly remembered that Isabella had once cried out to him for help just like this.
Only back then, he had gone to save Victoria…
So, this was what it felt like to be abandoned by the one you love.
