Isabella POV
2 pm comes faster than I can imagine and I’m reeling in my seat. “what is he going to do?” “Will people be there?” I bit my lip, my heart pounding in my chest, this man showed up out of nowhere and now controls my every thought. I frown, packing up all I have left for the day, my assistant walks through the door. “A driver is here for you mam” she explains “Okay, I’ll be right down, you can go home,” I tell her grabbing my bag and heading outside, I slip into the car again and this time there’s another bottle of champagne and a champagne flute waiting for me. “Again what’s this man’s plan?” I frown to myself avoiding the drink. We stop in front of a boutique and I’m led inside by the driver to a woman in a blood-red suit. “Hello, I’m Sandra and I’ll be your stylist for today” She sends me a smile “Stylist?” I frown to myself, I’ve been styling myself my whole life, does this mean he agates the way I look? Is he trying to change me? My frown deepens, I’m marrying a controlling man as I can see, so I want to do this? She leads me through the boutique, the walls painted white and gold, racks of dresses, and the Ac cooling the air, I notice one thing, the boutique is empty. I frown turning to her and she guesses my question. “He reserved the whole building for you mam” She smiles dreamingly like I’m experiencing the most romantic thing on earth, but it just shows how controlling he is. Before we can take a step further we hear a loud knock on the glass doors, a pale tall woman of 6’2 in height, with short deep black hair that frames her face bright blue eyes, and thin pink lips, her mouth open up to us and Sandra turns to me a panicked look on her face. “I don’t like shopping alone, anyways, you can let her in” I shrug turning around to check the racks She nods and pulls the door open, I overhear her explaining everything to her and she nods walking towards me. “I’m so sorry dear but I needed a dress desperately and this is my favorite boutique” she sends me a smile I nod, watching her animatedly, she’s very beautiful I notice. “Grace Rossi” she stretches her hand out ready to grab mine. “Isabella Mariano” I accept her cool hands in mine. “So reserving the whole shop uh, that must be some man” she smirks looking through a rack of clothes her eyes on me. I shrug, not wanting to divulge any information. “Mam,” Sandra comes towards me with a red dress in hand. “He specifically selected this for you” she sends me a smile, the dress is a heart neck cut dress, short with the bottom shaped as roses, “it’s beautiful but red has never been my color” I shrug my shoulders “Then I’ll take it please,” Grace says beside me, “My man brings me here also and always makes reservations, and red is his favorite color, he would die tonight seeing me in this dress,” she says with a pout turning to me eyes practically begging I shrug, “Is there one like this in white?” I would prefer that please” I tell Sandra She nods, “Absolutely there’s a dress like that in white, I’ll bring it and ring it right up for you” She turns to Grace handing the dress over to her “Thank you so much, Good luck with your mystery man today” she sends me a smirk walking towards the till and paying for her dress I shake in my skin, I don’t know why but I don’t like her aura, I turn back around to Sandra and she comes out of the back room with a white dress in hand and shoes in the other. I pay for everything and head to the car, again the flowers and the gift from this morning are placed there and I remember I didn’t open it. I sigh to myself, “What did he get me?” I pull open the wrapper my fingers meeting with a velvety material I pull open the case my eyes meeting with the most gorgeous pair of diamond tennis necklaces, the diamonds glow in the dark car, with a pair of earrings beneath it as well as a hand bracelet. My fingers grab the diamonds carefully, my heart beating in my chest, I turn them around and notice a small word engraved at the back of the necklace “mine”Isabella POV“Mine”What does he mean by that? I knew it!! All of this is to make me complacent, able to control me, that’s all he’s trying to do, bold of me to assume he actually-“ I hold tongue, this is an arranged marriage and I need to treat it as such.I dump the necklace beside me and the car comes in stop of the saloon.My hair takes a few hours and soon I’m dressed up in the white dress, heels, and my makeup done.The necklace? It’s in my hand boiling, ready to hand it right over to him.“I will not be controlled I say when the car comes to a stop”I notice the environment is a country club every single socialite visits, it’s the De-Luca’s Country Club.I bit my lip, suddenly feeling nervous, is he going to do this right in front of everyone“Can I do this, I look down at my phone and notice Bianca sent me strings of messages”I calm my raging heart, reading the messages “Girl what a night”“How did you get there???”“Girllllll Dominic De-Luca sent me flowers!!”“What for?” I
Isabella POVI take his promises to heart, stretching my hand out while my head bobs up and down in the yes direction.It was the first time I'd seen a genuine smile on his face, but it quickly disappears and he wears me the ring, easily fitting my finger perfectly.He stands on his feet handing the roses to me, “I hope you remember that for the rest of our lives,” he says turning to the side, “Dinner?”I stare down at the ring and the roses in my hand, “How did you know?” “Know what?” he turns to the side, leading me back to the garden doors“The ring?” I turn slightly to him as he pulls the door open.“Intuition” he shrugs leading me back inside the building We are led through the doors through the general hallways and I can feel eyes from guests burning into my soul.Eyes follow us, and the whispers follow.“Is that Dominic Deluca?”“Who is the lady?” “Why is she with flowers?”“Is that a ring?” “Is that Mariano's daughter?”“The falling company? No impossible”The whispers alm
Isabella POV“Oh my gosh, I saw the video, when were you going to tell us?” spasms of messages wake me up followed by continuous dings from my phone.With sleepy eyes, I reply to the message from Hannah, “What video?” I frown“Congratulations” another message comes in from Rachel making me frown.“The one on the news silly” Hannah replies me.That wakes me up immediately, I immediately tune into all my social media apps to find a video of Dominic’s proposal to me everywhere.“So that’s why he was so nice last night? Because he was recording the entire thing for social media.I frown to myself a message from Dominic popping up on my phone.“Family dinner at 6 pm tonight, dress nicely” I read the message, a frown covering my face. Already giving instructions and expecting me to follow them.I quickly dressed up for work heading downstairs, after the incident with Dad, he stayed at the hospital for a few days but came back last night but I never got to greet him because as soon as Domin
Isabella POVAs soon as I get home I grab a bright red dress pantsuit and gold jewelry, I join my parents downstairs, and we all head to the location for dinner.The De-Luca’s Villa, it’s the single most beautiful place I’ve ever been in.The house sits on a hill, vintage lights decorate the whole path up the hill, and rows of trees and flowers decorate the path up the house, I spot a tennis court, a lit-up basketball court and then the house.Our home is large but this is a castle.“Woah,” Matteo says beside me.“Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous” my mum stated rearranging her dress repeatedly “What if they don’t like us?” Mom says, her eyes bouncing from Dad to Me.“Mom, relax, I mean they can’t be that bad right?” “We all have money,” Matteo says innocently My eyes meet with Dad, for a few more months and we will be dead broke, my marriage to Dominic secures the family’s wealth.“Yea but they are like old money” she frownsI shake my head turning my head to the window as the car comes
Isabella POVThe next morning, everything is in a rush, Bianca comes around the house and we go shopping together for a dress that’s not Red.“I can’t believe you’re getting married to every woman’s dream man” Bianca giggles lying on my bed while I change into a nude flare dress we found, “Girl you’re so lucky” she turns to me “Gold heels” she replies when I raise two heels in the air, silently asking her to pick“One, he walked off after the entire proposal to chase his ex-girlfriend” I roll my eyes pulling on more jewelry.“Secondly, he has been nothing but controlling and a really good actor” “Hmm” I raise my brow at that, “I mean he could almost convince me that he was already in love with me,” I say “So you are feeling something for him? You bad girl” she giggles pointing a finger at me“No I don’t” I frown “Did you skip all the other parts I said?” I raise a brow at her standing in front of her with two purses“His beautiful aura and Money are enough for me to ignore that” she
Isabella POVThe next day is a Saturday and I finally feel free, no meetings or parties with Dominic.My dreams are bashed by my mom pushing my door open, “Dress up Isabella we have to go flower shopping for the wedding” she instructs shutting the door close and walking away swinging her phone from ear to ear.I almost want to throw a tantrum but I stop myself, finding a simple yellow dress and sandals, placing my blonde wavy hair in a rough bun, I don’t bother with makeup and I head downstairs.My mom is quick to lead me out of the house, “Maaaa breakfast” I whine turning to the car“Should have thought about that waking up by 10 am” she tuts sliding into the seat next to me and closing the door.“Rupert let’s drop by a restaurant for breakfast first and then we go to the flower shop” she sends me a side smirk while I celebrate happily.We have breakfast in some outdoor restaurant while my mom tells me all the gossip surrounding my Engagement.“And Maria called me up and told me her
“How about we leave the flower picking to you and my mom,” I say in the silent room, “I mean you are the expert” I send her a smile hoping to crack her Cold Demure.She turns to me with an angry and intimidating stare directed straight at me which makes me shake in my shoes, “if you are going to be the future Mrs Deluca and retire me, flowers are something you need to know at the palm of your hands” she almost screams “I knew you were lazy but not to the extent of asking me to pick out your wedding flowers”“I mean how is she going to plan all the charity balls and events for the family?” she laughs with the attendant “I mean your hilbilly mom should have taught you better” she laughs again I watch my mom's eyes cover with a sheen of tears, her head shinning with sweat even though the room is cold, I mean I could stand in a boardroom and face a load of men and argue about numbers but I can't stand up to a woman who is going to be my mother in law because she comes from the wealthiest
A car is sent by Dominic to pick me up and I'm led into the restaurant, the lights are dim and there's no one but the waiters in the restaurant.This immediately makes me halt in my steps, “what is this man planning?” “Nothing out of the normal for a couple about to wed” his voice filters through the room, walking towards me“I just wanted to talk, there’s no need to pretend to like me Mr Deluca” I reply folding my hands across my chest.“Then let’s talk.” His hands cup my waist pulling me towards the table, a single rose flower on the table.“You know, I don’t like roses” I pick up the rose, taking a seat opposite him, “Maybe Grace liked them,” I say my voice filled with a hint of jealousy.His lips lift in a smirk, “Tell me what you like Isabella, and I’ll hand it to you on a platter of Gold” “Your money doesn’t impress me either” I blink at him turning my eyes around the room, The waiter approach us serving champagne “But here you are, about to marry me for it, you are never rea
DOMINIC POV The ride back home is long and the sky darkens as we drive into the mansion. “Sir, Mrs Bella” her driver approached me with concern on his face but I stop him my eyes flaring with anger, I push the door open the reveal the house lit up with low lightning. The maids are closed for the day and the house seems empty but I know she’s home. Ready to throw my anger at her, I march up the stairs, pushing the bedroom door open but find the room empty. Panic sets in immediately, but blindsided by my anger I walk towards the office, pushing the door open but it’s empty. “Isabella!!” I yell out, my heart pounding in my chest in a panic, I walk down the stairs when I hear the sound of someone crying. My feet slow down, my ears filling with more sounds of sniffling, and my eyes move to the sliding door under the stairs leading to the pool. The door is open and right at the edge of the pool is Isabella, her feet inside the water, the blue lighting from the pool reflecting ba
DOMINIC POV “Set up a meeting with the shareholders this month and clear my schedule for the weekends, I will no longer be working through the weekends,” I say my voice deep and stern as I think through my decision. With Isabella’s pregnancy and the recent threats, I need to work from home more, I need to pay more attention to her and maybe try and fix our relationship, the longing looks, the anger, the ignoring game, it needs to stop with the introduction of our child into the world. I sigh heavily, my mind still on the threats, I think back to what my sisters said, although they denied all claims, all the evidence points to them. The times we received letters in the house were always after a public gathering or at a public gathering, nobody but my family could wage such a heavy war on me or Isabella, nobody dared to, I did ask around but there was denial from everyone. I sigh turning to the lump of documents on my table, and my eyes moves to my phone, I was getting updates
ISABELLA POV“Look what the cat dragged in, Home-wrecker” Grace mutters with a sly smile on her face.I roll my eyes, “Maybe you should go somewhere else Grace, the store is wide enough, let me be” I turn my eyes away from her turning back to the racks of clothing.“I can’t leave, I was here first, it was the same thing for Dominic’s life but here you are” She rolls her eyes turning to Rachel, “What are you doing here with this bitch anyway?”“Don’t call her that” Rachel mutters turning her eyes away from her, again trying to avoid any confrontation that would lead to us being found out.“Can you get out please Grace, we don’t have the time for your stupid drama, call up Dominic or something, and then he can cater to your needs” I spit the words out in anger but my voice cracks in sadness, again, if Dominic had some self-respect or some respect for me, he would keep his mistress on a leash but he gave her everything she desired.She was the original, I am only a copy, a trophy wife.
ISABELLA POVThe car comes to a stop in front of a rusty apartment complex, I share a look with Rachel.“With the amount of money our family has, it’s easy to fall in love with the idea of some genuine love” she shrugs, her eyes filled with sadness.“Come on” I place my arm around her shoulder walking into the building, I walk towards the elevator but she stops me.“What?” I turn to her with a frown, confused about why she stopped us, “Don’t tell me you are scared to face him?” I raise a brow at her, about to speak some sense into her.“No, it’s not that” she mutters shyly, looking down at the floor and avoiding my gaze.“Then what?” My fingers raise her face to meet mine, a brow raised in anticipation.She gulps, her eyes moving around the reception, “The elevator is bad, we have to use the stairs” she sighs, her face pink with embarrassment.“Oh your brother will kill this boy” I shake my head with a sigh, so not only did he get her pregnant and abandon her, but he doesn’t have the
ISABELLA POV“It’s true!!” She exclaims eyes wide with a mix of fear and anxiety, “The paint stained me in the first place and that’s why I had to change” She gulps, her eyes darting to me slightly before returning back to Madam DeLuca “But that looks like blood” Madam DeLuca's eyes flicker nervously between the blood stain and my tainted dress.“I’m fine, I am really” I reassure her with a nod, trying to act as calm as I can, quite the opposite of what I feel, quickly turning to Dominic to diffuse the situation, “You should go, I will be home soon” my fingers hold his in my grasp, our eyes meeting with each other, charged with an intensity I never thought he would feel towards me. But I guess the baby changes everything.He heaves a heavy sigh, his eyes scanning me one last time, his jaw clenched in frustration, “Fine I will go. But you have to be back soon, and a driver will pick you up, it’s not safe for you to drive” he says with a dismissive tone but filled with underlying conce
ISABELLA POV“Bella?” What are you doing here? He calls out and I turn to him, acting in shock as I pull out the earphones.“Well, what are you doing in Rachel’s bedroom in the middle of the day?” Madame DeLuca says her eyes trained on me but slightly moves to Rachel who has pulled out her earphones also.Francesca's frill voice surprised the silence “Will somebody say something? Anything?” Francesca screeches next to me, her eyes blazing with anticipation, her gaze filled with intensity as she waited for my answer.I hesitated, my voice faltering as I struggled to find an answer for them, “Well, I came here to “ I pause gulping my nervousness down, I turn to Rachel, her eyes filled with an expectant gaze, looking at me in anticipation to solve this issue for us. “Rachel needed help with some financial questions regarding the accounts” The lie rolls of my tongue smoothly, but my heart racing hoping they don’t catch in on us.“You know I’m not done with school yet, so I was confused” R
ISABELLA POV “Pregnant for real?” I raise a brow at her, “That is impossible, I can’t stand Dominic and vice versa, we have not even been on the same bed for ages now” I sigh leaning back on the couch Knock….knock. “Mam, the spa ladies are done setting up, they expect you outside soon” Madam Thelma’s voice echoes from behind the door. “I will be right down!!” I yell back, as her footsteps retract. “So what are we going to do now? You either tell Dominic the truth now and save yourself the drama or keep up with this lie and face the consequences later” Bianca sighs plopping down on the couch right next to me. I sigh when I hear my phone ding in my robe. “I think I’m bleeding, or losing the baby,” I read out the message from Rachel, my heart drums in my chest and I stand up immediately “What? What’s wrong?” Bianca raises a brow at me as I rush into the closet pulling out a dress. “It’s Rachel, something is happening, I have to get to her,” I say my voice filled with tension, fe
ISABELLA POV “My sisters,” he says simply leaning on the door I frown, “Your sisters? That is impossible, they wouldn’t send men to kill their own friend at their own party” I step out of the tub and he is quick to come and help me, shocking me. “I’m fine, I can do it myself” I distance myself from him. What’s the use of accepting his fake kindness due to some pregnancy that doesn’t exist, as soon as we reveal the truth, it will all end, and we can go back to being roommates, pretending to the world that we are in love. “Well I think it’s them, I confronted them earlier this morning and they acted quite suspicious, especially Rachel” he shrugs moving back to the doorway I roll my eyes at that, they are probably more worried he would find out about their nasty fake pregnancy plan they had with Grace and of course, Rachel would be nervous due to her being the pregnant one. “I still think you should investigate further, I don’t think they would go this far to just hurt me” “You
ISABELLA POV The morning sun blinds me immediately my eyes pull open, the main door cracks open and Thelma walks in with a tray in her hand. “Thelma” I mutter a slight frown on my face, my eyes move around the room not sensing Dominic, “Where is Dominic?” I ask as she walks to my bedside with the tea, “And when did you start serving me tea so early in the morning?” I frown at her Her smile is bright and wide, filled with a tease, “Mr Dominic told me about your condition, congratulations mam” she smiles widely, grabbing my feet and helping me into my slippers “Woah, is that why I’m getting all this special treatment?” I laugh, my eyes refusing to meet hers and conform to this lie Rachel and I have started. “Drink this, it will help with the morning sickness” She passes me the tea glass, the smell of ginger filtering into my nose. I thank her, drinking as much as I can and playing into the facade. “Do you know when Dominic will be back?” I frown I am sure he is still angry over