The Woman He Tried to Erase
Chapter 1
Isolde Sterling stared at her reflection in the hospital mirror and barely recognized herself.
Dark circles sat beneath her tired eyes. Her long chestnut hair was tied into a messy knot, and the oversized cream sweater she wore did little to hide the weight she had gained during pregnancy.
Three weeks ago, she had given birth to her son.
Three weeks ago, she had believed she was living the happiest chapter of her life.
Now she only felt exhausted.
“You should stop defending Ethan.”
The voice came from beside her.
Adrian Cross leaned lazily against the hospital wall with his hands in his coat pockets. His dark eyes swept over her with visible annoyance.
“He missed your delivery, Isolde. Now he’s missing your postnatal appointment too.”
Isoldesighed softly.
“He’s busy.”
“Busy stealing your father’s company?”
“Adrian.”
“What?” He shrugged. “I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking.”
Isoldeforced a smile.
Ethan Hale had worked nonstop ever since her father died two years ago. The Sterling Group had nearly collapsed after the sudden loss of its founder, and Ethan had stepped up as CEO after marrying her.
People praised him endlessly.
A hardworking husband.
A devoted businessman.
The perfect son-in-law.
Isoldewanted to believe them.
“He’s under pressure,” she whispered.
Adrian stared at her for several seconds before laughing bitterly.
“You always do this.”
“Do what?”
“Excuse every terrible thing he does.”
Isoldelooked away.
Adrian had known her since childhood. He had seen every version of her — the spoiled Sterling heiress, the rebellious teenager, the woman who fell hopelessly in love with Ethan Hale.
And Adrian had hated Ethan from the beginning.
“Anyway,” Adrian said coldly, “I’m driving you home.”
“I can go alone.”
“No.”
Twenty minutes later, Adrian’s black Aston Martin stopped outside Isolde’s mansion.
Snow drifted softly through the night air.
The mansion lights were still on.
Isoldesmiled faintly.
“Maybe Ethan came home early.”
Adrian glanced at the windows.
“Maybe.”
But something in his tone made Isoldeuneasy.
She stepped out of the car carefully.
“Thank you for today.”
Adrian watched her quietly.
“If he hurts you,” he said slowly, “call me.”
Isoldelaughed softly.
“You sound dramatic.”
“I’m serious.”
She waved him off before walking toward the front door.
The mansion was strangely quiet.
No servants.
No music.
Only faint sounds upstairs.
Isoldefrowned.
Then she heard it.
A woman laughing.
Her smile froze instantly.
The sound came from the master bedroom.
Her bedroom.
Isolde’s heartbeat quickened as she climbed the stairs.
With every step, the noises became clearer.
Breathing.
Moaning.
Laughter.
Her hands trembled violently.
“No…”
She pushed open the bedroom door.
And her entire world shattered.
Ethan Hale lay shirtless on their bed.
Beside him was Chloe Bennett.
Isolde’s best friend.
The two of them froze.
For one horrifying second, nobody moved.
Then Isoldenoticed the baby crib standing beside the bed.
Her newborn son was sleeping only a few feet away while his father cheated on her.
Something inside her snapped.
“What are you doing?”
Her voice cracked violently.
Chloe immediately grabbed the blanket.
“Isolde—”
Ethan stood up.
“It’s not what you think.”
Isoldelaughed.
The sound was sharp and broken.
“Not what I think?”
Tears filled her eyes.
“You’re sleeping with my best friend in my bed beside our child!”
Chloe lowered her eyes dramatically.
“I’m sorry…”
“Sorry?” Isoldestared at her in disbelief. “I paid for your tuition overseas. I helped you when nobody else would!”
Chloe’s expression changed subtly.
For the first time, Isoldesaw the bitterness hidden beneath her gentle smile.
“And I never asked you to,” Chloe said quietly.
Isoldefroze.
Chloe stepped closer.
“You always looked down on me without realizing it.”
“That’s not true.”
“You had everything.” Chloe’s voice trembled with jealousy. “Money. Beauty. Status. Ethan loved you. Your father handed you an empire.”
Isoldeshook her head.
“So this is revenge?”
Chloe looked at Ethan.
“No.”
Then she smiled faintly.
“This is love.”
Isoldenearly collapsed.
“Ethan…”
She turned toward her husband desperately.
“Tell me this isn’t real.”
But Ethan only sighed impatiently.
“Stop making a scene.”
Isoldestared at him.
“A scene?”
“You’ve changed.”
His eyes swept coldly over her body.
“You used to care about yourself.”
Isoldefelt her chest tighten.
“I just had your baby.”
“And?”
His cruel voice echoed through the room.
“I gave you money. Luxury. A perfect life. Am I supposed to stay loyal forever to someone who doesn’t even try anymore?”
Isolde’s face went pale.
Even Adrian’s harshest warnings had never prepared her for this.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Ethan possessively.
“Don’t waste time arguing with her.”
Ethan nodded.
Then, right in front of Isolde, he picked up Chloe’s coat.
“Come back to the office with me.”
Isoldegrabbed his arm desperately.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“You’re leaving me like this?”
Ethan pulled away coldly.
“You’ll calm down eventually.”
Then he walked out with Chloe beside him.
Isoldestood motionless in the middle of the bedroom.
Her baby slept peacefully nearby.
And for the first time in her life, Isolde Sterling realized she had built her entire world around a man who never loved her at all.
Outside the mansion, hidden beneath the shadows of the gates, a paparazzi camera quietly captured everything.
No one noticed it.
Not Ethan’s hand wrapped possessively around Chloe’s waist.
Not Chloe leaning against him with a victorious smile.
Not the way their fingers intertwined without hesitation.
The shutter clicked once.
Then again.
Perhaps by tomorrow morning, those photographs would be everywhere.
And perhaps, after tonight, nothing in their lives would ever remain the same again.
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