Siempre te voy a querer

Chapter 64

Isa quietly slipped back inside, her presence unnoticed by the group still frantically searching for her. Her sobs echoed softly in the now-quiet room, her red eyes and slightly smeared mascara telling the tale of her anguish. Her lip trembled, and her hands shook as she walked towards the restroom. Inside, she tried to compose herself, cleaning her face and reapplying mascara. Staring at her reflection, she whispered, "Am I not enough?" She grabbed her purse and left the restroom.

As she hurried through the hall, someone bumped into her. "Perdón," she muttered, looking down and quickening her pace. "Isa!" the person called out, but she continued walking faster. The person caught up and grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. "No me toques," she told him. "¿A dónde vas?" he asked, still holding her wrist, which bore faint purple marks. "No te importa," she replied, yanking her hand free and exiting through the back door.

Santiago felt his world crumble as her coldness pierced him. Her indifference was a dagger to his heart. "¿La encontraste?" a voice asked him. He shook his head and said, "No." Luis sighed and continued searching. Isa had left. His lover had walked away. "Santiago, ¿dónde está Isa?" Edson demanded. "No lo sé, la última vez que la vi fue en el balcón," Santiago finally admitted. Edson ran to the balcony, where he found her coat, confirming she had been there. Rain began to fall, and he hoped she was somewhere inside. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, his sister. Grabbing her coat, he went back inside.

"¿Alguna señal?" Kevin asked, visibly worried. "Está su abrigo," Edson said, showing it. "Debería estar en algún lugar," Kevin said, tears welling in his eyes. "¿Qué haces sentada, ayúdanos a buscarla?" Chucky scolded Anastasia, who was lounging at a table with a drink. "No tengo por qué ayudarles, no es mi obligación. Además, no es como si me importara Isabella," she retorted. Edson's anger flared, but Sofi held his hand, calming him. "Déjala, Ed, ya sabes cómo es," she said.

Kevin kept calling Isa, his desperation growing with each unanswered attempt. Finally, after countless tries, she answered. "Isa!" he exclaimed. Everyone gathered around to listen. "¿Dónde estás? ¿Estás bien?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. Silence filled the other end of the line. "¿Isa?" he asked again, worried. "Estoy bien, no te preocupes," she replied, her voice barely audible. "Ponla en altavoz," Alexis instructed. "Isa, ¿dónde estás? Está lloviendo y dejaste tu abrigo," he said, but only the sound of rain answered him. "No se preocupen," she said, then hung up.

"Edson, tú tienes su número, localízala," Arteaga suggested. Edson opened the app but couldn't find her. "No está en el mapa, quizá apagó el teléfono," he said, his worry deepening. He sat down, and Sofi comforted him, the weight of the night pressing heavily on them all.
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Everyone reluctantly left the restaurant as closing time approached, their hearts heavy with worry. They agreed to stay in constant contact, promising to share any news or sightings of Isa. Every bit of information was crucial at this point. Sofi stayed with Edson, determined to help him find Isa and ensure he didn't do anything rash.

Meanwhile, Isa wandered the city streets in the pouring rain, her clothes drenched and clinging to her. She kept moving, with only the distant moon for company. Every street, every corner reminded her of Santiago, and she hadn't expected the night to take such a devastating turn. She reached a small store, bought herself a snack, and continued walking. It was around 11:00 PM, and the city was nearly deserted. She was far from home, each step feeling heavier with the weight of her heartache.

She walked aimlessly, the rain mingling with her tears, hoping against hope that this was all just a nightmare from which she would soon wake. The reality of Santiago's betrayal and Anastasia's cruelty replayed in her mind, leaving her feeling lost and alone. The city's lights blurred in the rain, a stark contrast to the darkness that engulfed her soul. She had no destination in mind, only the need to escape the pain that consumed her.