Isabella POVRafaelle grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners, “Dominic, you’re here” he stands up My eyes move to behind me and Dominic comes up behind me, suddenly I can see the whole room watching us, our interaction.His cool fingers brushed my skin, curving his hands around my bare arm, and his lips suddenly met with my cheek, his eyes meeting with mine, I could hear my breath hitch at our closeness, and those dreams were not helping, I was getting attracted to him.“Hello Wife” his deep voice calls as he rises to meet his eyes with everyone in the room, a waiter is immediately pulling out a tray of champagne.“Dominic” I turn to him, “I’m surprised you made it to what is apparently our party” I whisper, a brow raisedHe cocks a brow, sending me a short smile, I can tell he’s pretending, “Work held me up, but I can see you’re enjoying Raffaella's company” “He’s a kind man” I share a look with him, “And quite funny too” The words leave my mouth followed by shared laughter bet
Isabella POVMy eyes scanned the crowded room, I had just seen Dominic leave with Grace again, it was like any time we had any breakthrough, she would appear and we would take ten steps backward.I made my way through the crowded room again finding my seat, now empty, as everyone had finished eating and lingering around and being social now.My phone pings in my phone and I frown, is it Bianca? I really need to speak to someone on my side at this point, someone who could advise me on what to do.I pull my phone out of my bag, and a notification from a gossip blog pops up, confused and interested, I click the link, and the page comes out with headlines; “The Mariano family, on the brink of bankruptcy? Is that the reason for the rushed marriage to the Deluca’s? Is Isabella Mariano as innocent as she looks to be or she's just a Gold digger who steals men from other women?”My heart pumps fast in my chest, this can't be, who would publish such, I can almost feel eyes on me, phones start t
Isabella POVThe next morning, I'm worried about Dominic, “I mean he hasn't picked up my call in days” I say into the phone Bianca making noises from the other side“Yeah not since he left with Grace, I think you should chill, head to work and we can see later during the day, I came bearing gifts from Egypt” she giggles into the phone.“Alright, I’ll see you later,” I say ending the call, I turn to the mirror the blue suit I wore today wrapping around my body.My phone dings again and I see a message from my mother-in-law“Go to Dominic office and personally pick up the auction documents for the charity event” I read the message to myself rolling my eyes, the auction is in a few days and I've been doing everything myself, with no help from her or Dominic. The sun reflects on my seat when I push the door of my office open, on the couch seated lazily is Raffaelle.“Raffaelle” I call out his name “What are you doing here?” I turn to look at the time, “And so early in the morning?” I dr
Isabella POV“Hello girls” she crosses the table, standing beside us “Such a coincidence catching you guys here, I would say it's a pleasure, but it's not” She rolls her eyes crossing her arms over her chest.“Leave Grace, I think we've had enough of Slut for the day” Bianca raises a brow at her, downing her drink.She rolls her eyes turning to me, her mini skirt wrapping around her lower body, “Have you seen Dominic lately? He's been such a darling to me these few days” She smirks turning away, her hair swishing on her back with each step“I want to put a knife through her eyes” Hannah grabs the table knife in anger“Thank you guys,” I say to them, my heart sinking in my chest, I knew he left with Grace but he had actually been with her for two days. Totally ignoring me, my lips start to quiver and my eyes prick with tears “I have to go” I stand up picking up my bag urgently, i don't want them to see me cry, to see what I've been going through since I got married to Dominic.“Isa” Bi
ISABELLA POVThe documents in my hand feel heavy as I stand up ready to question his assistant about them, but she probably knows nothing about it.I grab the auction document, quickly leaving the room in a rush, “I heard she seduced him and stole him from Grace” one of the personal assistants says her back turned to me“I heard her family is broke and that's why she married him” the second one concludes adding to their gossip“I heard she got pregnant and trapped him,” another says her eyes looking between both her friends and they land on me“Hmph” I cough out loud prompting them to turn to me.“How about instead of gossiping about how I married my husband you should focus on your job” I roll my eyes walking back towards the elevator.*****“This is a lot,” I yawn to myself, I've been up all night correcting The Deluca finances, and finding all the mistakes I could.I close the document looking around the dark office, Dominic had made for me, it's been three days and he is still no
Dominic POV“You know what I'm talking about don't act like you don’t” she spits out turning her head away and tucking herself into the bed.“Isabella” I call out her name, barely a whisper“I do not want to speak about this anymore with you Dominic, goodnight” she stretch her hand turning off the lamp.I turn it back on “No you have to explain what you meant by that, you are accusing me of something, I know nothing about” She groans sinking deeper into the mattress and ignoring me.I'm left confused as I head to bed.The next morning just as worse as she disappears quickly before I can wake up and usually I’m the one who does that.“Sir, Don't forget the auction in a few days,” Thelma says next to me as she serves me breakfast.“Who has been planning this auction? My mother? Tell her I won't be making it” I turn back to the news picking on my food and wondering why my wife is ignoring me and why she hates my guts so much“No sir, it's not your mother,” she says pulling me out of my
ISABELLA POV“Call the sales representatives, I want to have a conversation with them about their numbers, they are quite concerning,” I tell my assistant when I notice shock on everyone's face outside of the office, I raise a brow at that, what's happening? Soon a figure appears behind my doors, a bouquet of like and daisies over his arm, his crisp black suit holding his body, “Mr Deluca” my assistant is quick, pulling the door open to reveal his form.My eyes remain on his, unshattering, “You may leave us” he turns to my assistant She lets out a squeal walking past him, he steps in closing the door behind him, “No privacy?” he raises a brow at me.“I have blinds,” I say in a clipped tone, turning down to the documents on my table, my forehead scrunching in a frown, confusion rolling through me, what are you doing here anyways?” I turn my head back up to him.He sighs, the words feeling heavy on his lips.“Well?” I raise a brow at him.“Can I be offered a seat at least?” he raises
ISABELLA POV“I can't believe you did that” I yell as he shoves me in the back of his car.“You should believe, after all, I forced you to marry me right?” he raises a brow at me pulling himself into the car, “Move,” he tells the driver.“Where are you taking me? Same places you took Grace?” I spit out turning my head to the window and watching buildings move far away from me as the car speeds up.“There will be no speaking about the past or Grace on this trip, relax and enjoy it” his deep voice calls from beside meI fold my hands across my chest like a stubborn child turning to him with confusion, “Trip? We are traveling somewhere? I didn't pack anything” I complain He raises a brow at me, his lips fighting for a kicking smile, “Isabella you are married to one of the most powerful me. In the world, do you think clothes for a trip will be an issue to me?” he moves closer making my heart pump wildly in my chest, he places his hand on my right softly“Don't worry Cara Mia, I got you”
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