Wuthering Heights - Chapter 7
Isabellas_Escape
Isabella Linton, Edgar's sister, became attracted to Heathcliff. She was young, innocent, and romantic. She saw him as a dark, mysterious hero, not understanding his cruelty and his desire for revenge.
Heathcliff realized this and decided to use Isabella to hurt Edgar. He flirted with her and made her fall in love with him. Edgar was furious when he discovered their relationship, and he forbade Isabella from seeing Heathcliff.
But Isabella was determined. One night, she ran away to Wuthering Heights and married Heathcliff in secret. Edgar never forgave his sister for this betrayal.
At first, Heathcliff treated Isabella with cold indifference. He did not love her and had married her only to hurt her brother. When Catherine learned of the marriage, she was angry and hurt. She felt that Heathcliff had married Isabella to spite her, not because he loved the other woman.
As time passed, Heathcliff became increasingly cruel to Isabella. He locked her in her room, beat her, and forbade her from seeing her family. Isabella suffered greatly and regretted her foolish decision.
One night, during a violent argument, Isabella managed to escape from Wuthering Heights. She fled to Thrushcross Grange, exhausted and terrified. Edgar welcomed his sister, but he could not forgive her for marrying his enemy.
Mrs. Dean took care of Isabella and heard her terrible story. Isabella told her about Heathcliff's cruelty and his abuse. She also revealed that she was pregnant with Heathcliff's child.
'I never should have trusted him,' Isabella sobbed. 'He is not a man, but a devil!'
Heathcliff came to Thrushcross Grange to demand his wife's return, but Edgar refused to let him take her. The two men almost came to blows, but Catherine intervened, begging them to stop.
The next day, Isabella left Thrushcross Grange and traveled far away, never to return to Wuthering Heights. She wanted to escape Heathcliff forever and protect her unborn child.