Chapter 3

Michael's words left Isabella speechless, but when her parents started pressuring her, she did have some dark thoughts.

Michael seemed to have an idea and said, "If you're feeling lost, let me take you somewhere."

"Where?" Isabella asked, puzzled.

Without explaining, Michael hopped into the driver's seat and pulled Isabella down from her spot.

"It's a place that'll help you shake off this funk," Michael said with a wink, then started the car.

He felt a sense of relief gripping the wheel again, as long as Isabella wasn't driving.

During the drive, Isabella's phone rang. She hesitated, staring at the caller ID.

"If you don't wanna answer, just hang up or turn it off. That ringtone is annoying. Do you actually like it?" Michael shrugged, clearly irritated.

Isabella shot him a glare and answered the call.

John's angry voice blasted through the phone. "Isabella, you idiot! When are you coming? I've got the best doctor lined up for you. Do you even want to get married? Bianca's waiting!"

Isabella's grip tightened on the phone, her knuckles turning white. She was so mad her lips trembled, but she couldn't get a word out.

Annoyed, Michael snatched the phone from her and yelled, "Let that damn bitch die, and you can go with her!"

Then he chucked the phone out the window.

Isabella panicked and grabbed his arm. "Stop the car!"

Michael frowned. "Are you still hung up on that jerk who hurt you?"

"I'm upset about my phone! You threw away my new phone!" Isabella snapped. Why couldn't he just hang up? Did he not care about anything that wasn't his?

Feeling awkward, Michael pulled over and went to find her phone on the side of the road.

The phone was completely smashed, beyond repair. Isabella held the broken pieces, feeling wronged and on the verge of tears.

Michael scratched his nose, embarrassed. "I'm really sorry. I got too mad at that jerk and lost it. I'll get you a new one."

Isabella didn't respond, just got back in the car. Today was just not her day; nothing was going right. But she had no idea things were about to get worse.

Michael drove her to an abandoned factory with a huge chimney and led her to the top.

Isabella peered into the chimney, seeing nothing but darkness. She had no doubt that a fall would be fatal.

"Why did you bring me here? This place isn't helping my mood," Isabella said, confused.

"If you want to know the meaning of life, jump from here. In that moment, the rush of adrenaline and the fear of death will make you realize that all the hardships in this world are nothing compared to life itself," Michael said, flashing a bright smile.

Isabella thought he was nuts.

"If you want to die, go ahead and jump. Leave me out of it," she said, turning to leave, but Michael grabbed her.

The next thing she knew, Michael hugged her tight, and they both fell into the chimney.

"No!" Isabella screamed as the weightlessness took over. She felt the terror of death.

But just before despair could consume her, she felt herself hit something soft. They bounced back up like they were on a trampoline.

Looking down, Isabella saw a large elastic net hanging in the middle of the chimney, keeping them safe.

"See? Wasn't I right? Still wanna die?" Michael laughed, and Isabella's response was another scream.

"Michael, you're insane!" Isabella's hair was a mess, and she glared at him, but he just kept smiling.

"Alright, but at least you're feeling a bit more alive now, right?" Michael grinned.

Breathing heavily, Isabella did feel lighter, but that didn't mean she was okay with what Michael did.

"So, Mr. Williams, how do we get down from here now?" Isabella asked, her face stern.

She was sure no one else was around. How were they supposed to get out of this giant chimney?

"I kinda forgot about that part," Michael's smile froze, and he slapped his forehead in regret.

Before Isabella could get mad again, Michael quickly pulled out his phone.

"Hang on, I'll call for help," he said, dialing a number. But he was told they could only come the next morning.

After hanging up, Michael shrugged. "Looks like we're stuck here for the night. But hey, at least it won't be too cold."

"Am I always gonna be this unlucky around men?" Isabella lay down helplessly, staring up at the sky through the chimney. The sun was setting, and the clouds were tinged red by the evening glow.

"Troubled Princesses usually have a rough time before they find true love," Michael shrugged, but Isabella wasn't in the mood to chat.

As time passed and night fell, gravity took its toll, and Isabella dozed off, leaning on Michael, resting in his arms.

The moonlight shone in, illuminating her skin, making her look almost ethereal.

Michael gazed at her face, and in that moment, she truly seemed like a distressed princess.

He gently kissed her forehead, a smile playing on his lips as he closed his eyes and fell asleep with her.

Meanwhile, John kept calling Isabella but couldn't get through. Frustrated, he threw his phone. "Isabella, you bitch! How dare you not answer my calls!"