Seduction In Ink

Chapter 41

Shattered Bonds

Tyler ran back to the penthouse, his pulse beating with terror. She had a strained, trembling voice, an intensity he couldn't dismiss without explanation. The uncertainty bit him. He couldn't bear the thought of something happening to her, not after everything they had faced together.

As he sprinted up the stairs, his pulse thundered in his ears. Reaching their chamber, the door loomed like a barrier between him and his greatest nightmares. He pulled it open with trembling hands, searching for Isabela.

But the room was empty.

Confusion tightened its grip on him as he stepped inside. His gaze quickly fell on the neatly folded letter on his desk. A knot formed in his stomach as he approached, dread crawling through him. With shaking fingers, he unfolded the pages.

Her words hit him like a physical blow. Isabela's goodbye was a knife to his soul, each sentence deeper than the last until he could hardly breathe. How could she leave him like this? Without a word, without a chance to understand why?

Tears blurred Tyler's vision as he read, disbelief mixing with heartbreak. He believed they were stronger and could weather any storm. But now, with Isabela gone, he felt like he was drowning in uncertainty, his anchor ripped away.

He slumped on the bed, the room's quiet making her absence seem heavier. How could he go on without her? His thoughts spiraled in chaos, but one thing was clear—he couldn't let her sacrifice be in vain. He had to keep fighting, if not for himself, then for her.

Wiping his tears, Tyler forced himself to stand. The future felt like a gaping void, but he refused to give up. He didn't know if he would ever see her again, but one thing was certain—he would never stop fighting for her, no matter the cost.

The elevator doors slid open, and Zek nearly bumped into Tyler, who stood there, eyes wild with desperation. They stared at each other in stunned silence for a moment.

"Zek, thank God," Tyler exclaimed, his voice raw with anxiety. "We need to find Isabela. Now."

Zek's heart sank. Guilt twisted inside him, knowing what he had kept from Tyler. But now wasn't the time to confess. His brother was already breaking. Instead, he nodded, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I was just coming to look for her. I thought she might have come back here."

Tyler's shoulders eased, a flicker of hope sparking in his eyes. "Then let's go."

Together, they headed back to the elevator. Zek couldn't help but notice the exhaustion etched on Tyler's face—the hollow look in his eyes. "You've eaten, right?" Zek asked, his concern slipping through.

Tyler gave a tired shake of his head, staring at the floor. "No time."

Zek mentally noted to stop by a convenience store. Tyler couldn't keep going like this, running on empty, as they searched for Isabela. They arrived at the penthouse and searched every corner, but there was no sign of her.

Desperation clawed at them both as they began searching the streets. Hours passed, and they combed through alleyways, neighborhoods, and every familiar place she might have gone. The city's shadows seemed to deepen their fear with every moment Isabela remained missing.

Finally, Zek suggested they take a break. Tyler, though reluctant, agreed with a defeated nod. As they stopped at a convenience store, Zek grabbed food for his brother, knowing he needed to keep up his strength. But all the while, guilt gnawed at Zek. He had contributed to Isabela's disappearance—he needed to own it.

Zek gave Tyler the meal in the vehicle as he slumped in the driver's seat. Tyler scanned his phone with trembling fingers, frustrated. His hands clenched around the screen, his emotions barely held in check.

"We'll find her," Zek said, his voice firm. "We won't stop until we do."

Tyler said nothing, his jaw clenched tight, but Zek could see the determination flicker in his brother's eyes. They set off again, back into the night, driven by their shared resolve.

Later, in the dimly lit living room of the penthouse, Tyler slumped onto the sofa, a half-empty bottle of alcohol dangling from his hand. He had been drinking steadily since they got back, his pain and confusion clouding his mind.

Zek watched from across the room, his heart heavy. Tyler was falling apart, and he didn't know how to help him. Guilt weighed on Zek's chest like a stone.

"Tyler," Zek murmured, stepping closer. "You need to stop. Drinking won't help."

Tyler's bleary eyes flickered open, trying to focus on Zek. "What's the point?" he slurred. "She's gone, Zek. Isabela... she left me."

Zek sighed, sitting beside him. "I know, Tyler. But this—" he gestured to the bottle, "—this isn't the way."

Tyler laughed bitterly. "I don't deserve to rest. I let her go."

Zek's jaw tightened. He couldn't let Tyler drown in guilt, not when he knew the truth. But how could he tell him now? He had to fix this on his own.

"You didn't let her go," Zek said, his voice firm. "Isabela made her choice. It wasn't your fault."

"But what if loving me was too hard?" Tyler whispered, his voice cracking with vulnerability.

Zek's heart ached at the raw pain in his brother's voice. "It's not your fault, Tyler," he said softly. "Whatever her reasons, they were hers. You have to believe that."

Tyler fell silent, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I just wish... I could have done something to make her stay."

Zek clenched his fists, guilt surging through him. He had to save Isabela and fix everything, for Tyler.

As Tyler finally drifted off to sleep, Zek stood by the window, watching the night sky. He swore quietly to repair this no matter what. He would bring Isabela back, whatever it took.