LOGINShare
Twenty Three
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56As Isabella walked down the next aisle with the hope that she hadn't filled her cart with more than she could afford, her eyes caught the wine rack.
Wine suddenly reminded her of Charles. He preferred whiskey on a good day, but he never turned down good wine either.
As she stopped and scanned the shelf, she began to realize she might have to return some things. His favorite - well, if it still was- had just caught her eye and she knew she had to get it.
As she grabbed the bottle and made for the beverage section to return the tea packs, she heard a voice from behind say, "Alberto Shade."
Isabella froze.
"Hello Isabella," the voice greeted with no so much excitement within.
She turned, sighed lightly then returned, "Mrs. Oxford."
Isabella then wondered how she knew her father or rather, about her father.
The classy woman in front of her wore a little scorn as her eyes scanned Isabella's hands. "Considering that you are latching
Related chapters
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Four
"What do you mean by I can't go in there?" Charles asked almost angrily."Calm down Charles. This is a session for the Judge with the couple and their attorneys. No one else is allowed in.""Really?" Charles sighed hard as his eyes fell on Isabella who was coming from the restroom. Though dressed confidently in a nice black, pencil gown, she looked so stressed and she was yet to go in for the first hearing.And he knew so well that it won't be easy there.Richard tapped him gently and said, "I will take care of things Charles. I will make sure of it."He locked eyes with his long time friend and lawyer. "I don't want her to get hurt. You have heard Gabriel talk, he will do anything to have her back and..." The thought of her being near that monster... it enraged him.Richard said, "I know how much Isabella means to you. I promise you, I will not let him even come near her.""Good," came Charles's firm response, his eyes still on Isabe
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Five
"Bella?" he called again with more concern as it seemed like she was about to cry. "What happened in there?" He swore within him to deal with Manifold no matter what if he did as much as stab Isabella with words.Isabella's eyesdarted to the marbled floor below and she said nothing.As he saw Richard approach them, his eyes caught Manifold's tall figure which had a gloat in its steps as he conversed with the shorter man beside him."Richard?""He cooked up a tale and made himself look good. Now that we have contradicting statements, we can only depend so much on the witnesses we have.""What did he say in there?" Charles stole a look at Isabella who was trying to hide into his side. Definitely, whatever that bastard said made her instantly... distant.Richard who stole a look at Isabella sighed and then said, "He claimed to be a good husband to her. And he painted her to be a cheat."Charles almost laughed. More like scoffed. "A
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Six
As he sent Isabella to his room, Charles got down from his car, his mind racing.Did Rodrigo Ordinaz decide to come to him instead? But he didn't have a wife yet like he requested.Then Charles realized, he hadn't been bothered about his biological father matter since he met Isabella. Sure, he still planned to marry her. But not because of his father or any other reason.As he got into the elevator where two women had earlier entered, he smiled.He wanted to marry her because he wanted her. Nothing more.Definitely, that alone came with its benefits.As the lift tinged, he was brought out of his thoughts. He was closer to his father. Stepping out, his ears got filled with sounds from the women who he had paid no attention to.For a second, he wondered why they decided to talk when he left. He definitely didn't hinder whatever conversation they could have been having.That didn't bother him for long. As he stood in front of the
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Seven
As Isabella entered the lift, she found it hard to shake off Charles's insistent gaze. It almost seemed like it was suggesting something."Hi," she simply said as she found her stance beside his tall figure."Isabella," he returned, his voice a bit thicker.The entire space wore awkwardness as she had no idea what to say next. And that was funny, she was certain she had many questions in her head before she pressed the elevator's button.So, her eyes didn't wander, they stayed glued on her blurred image ahead.Charles cleared his throat, chasing the silence away. Then, instantly, his arm circled her waist and he drew her closer to his side before she could react.Startled, she looked up at him and he greeted her with a smirk that stirred something within her. As his hand dug even more into her side in a gentle manner, she asked, her voice trying to hide her slight amusemen
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Eight
"Charles wait," Isabella broke the long silence between them and put a stop to her steps as Charles made to open the door to his room.With worry, he asked, "Is something wrong?""No. Well..." Her fingers played with each other as her eyes bore an uncertain look. "Maybe."His legs changed position and he was gathering her arms into his hold in no time. "What is it Isabella?"She sighed. "I am just worried about your mother.""What?" Charles was almost laughing."I know she is doing things ridiculously, but I think she is just trying to look out for you. She certainly doesn't want you hurt.""Isabella..." He stood straighter. "Let me ask you a question. Are you ever going to hurt me?" She felt herself go pale at that question. Guilt coursed through her. "I am not referring to that time Bella, that was in the past."
Blackmailing his runaway bride Twenty Nine
"Is that all?" Charles asked Richard with a low voice so as to not wake Isabella who was still sleeping deeply.'I contacted Isabella's doctor already. His schedule is luckily not tight on the 27th, so he will be able to make it.'Charles wore a satisfactory smile. It was all coming together fine. "That's good. Did he mention anything else?"'Well...' Richard drew a long breath before going on. 'He did say his statement would most likely be disturbing.'Charles's legs danced a bit as his face wore a frown. "Disturbing?"'He is bound by an oath thus he can only make mention of it during the hearing.'"I see." Charles felt it was a shame he wouldn't be able to be at the hearing.'One more thing.'"What about?"'Gabriel. There is something about him Augustus just discovered.' It then occurred t
Blackmailing his runaway bride Thirty
Isabella had dreamt about her father. And she found that odd. But what felt odder as her eyes opened slowly was the realization that it was the first time in a while that she was seeing his face.A small sigh left her as she sat up. After scanning the room for some seconds, Isabella pondered on whether her father once felt guilty for marrying her off in that manner.The man she always knew would be.But with certain words flying around and the manner with which he left her ... she had to think otherwise.And that made her heart ache. That the only parent she had would be so double faced made her quite sad.But then... he really was the only one she had for a long time. A mother she never knew and her father hated the idea of nannies, so he single handedly raised her to a certain point despite his crazy schedules.And that was one of the re
Blackmailing his runaway bride Thirty One
Charles felt good, yet quite uncomfortable. As he yanked his arms which seemed very apart, he felt slightly, a sharp pain and a metallic sound. Almost frowning, he wondered what was going on.Besides, he also felt stripped. He could feel cool air coming unto manhood. With the aim of leaving his semi-conscious state and ridding himself of the discomfort, he made to get up but it was all in his head.His body never left the bed.What was going on? He wondered. Was he dreaming?As questions flooded his mind, he felt warm hands on his thickness and as they rubbed through, he felt so good. Then it dropped. Was Isabella playing some kind of sexual game with him?It was rather too early for that kind of thing as she didn't appear to be stable enough for extremity. But if she really wanted it... why not?As his mind wandered some more in his state which he still coul
Latest chapter
Blackmailing his runaway bride Sixty (Epilogue)
Among mixed feelings after the news of Gabriel's death, Isabella found something new. Something indescribable. Perhaps it was relief or better put, the peace she had so much yearned for, she really couldn't say.All she knew was that something had changed within her.It was already eight months after Gabriel's mysterious death. No one really knew what happened and nothing could be concluded except for the fact that he was severely roasted and ridiculously, the investigators think he did it to himself.Isabella took a deep sigh and looked around the quiet place with headstones and neat grasses giving her eyes something to feast on. In her hand was a piece of paper which contained the most exciting news she had ever had. But no one was around yet for her to share the good news with.So, strangely, after realizing how boring it would be to stay in the hotel in anticipation of Charles's arrival, she chose to wander. And her reckless legs took her into a cemet
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Nine
Charles could have chuckled hard but something else stopped him. The audacity of the man who supposedly is his biological father certainly couldn't be ignored. What annoyed the man most was the fact that a gun was pulled when Isabella was there. She didn't show any kind of fear, but he didn't want her exposed to such dangers.Charles knew he had to act fast and get them both out of there without Rodrigo Ordinaz getting anything from him. He stole a look at the man who had a smile on his face. His mother was right, he was not a man with good intentions. But that didn't sadden Charles. He had already sort of believed his mother's statement about Ordinaz, so he wasn't too surprised.But the part he totally didn't see coming was where his real father would openly say he wants to use his company and how wife's as some kind of leverage."Are you going to sit down or not?" Ordinaz asked, an impatient grin now etched in his bold face.Charles who was already work
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Eight
Claire confirmed it again. Gabriel was on his way to her son's house and he definitely wasn't going there for some merriment. According to the security personnel she had employed, Gabriel had purchased from a black market, explosives after he had trailed his way to Charles's house and the very hangar his private aircraft was usually kept whenever his work made him remain within London.One thing was crystal clear though, Gabriel wasn't aware that Charles and Isabella weren't home and that made it all easy for her. She would be able to get a hold of the careless, vengeance driven man without much being lost.In preparation, she had used her connection to evacuate the occupants around to a more conducive environment which happened without much complaint because, who doesn't like to have a taste of a better life once in a while?From a safe distance with a walkie talkie on her laps that danced with impatience, Mrs. Oxford wondered if Charles was at that moment face
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Seven
Charles was beyond baffled.That his mother would go even as far as that surprised him really. But then, she attempted to get rid of his father, should he really be so shocked?"Charles..." Isabella softly called him and he felt so guilty. He felt terrible that Isabella suffered a bruise on her heart when Daphne showed up at their door. The woman's presence took her back to a time she was pregnant with his child, the time she suffered a loss. And it was his fault. His mother just had to be the crazy type.Not wanting her to see how guilty he felt, he faced the other side of the room and heaved a deep sigh. Truthfully a part of him was relieved. Relieved that he wasn't the father to Daphne's unborn child. That could have messed up everything."Charles talk to me." His wife's hands went around his waist and her head rested gently against his firm back and he shook once again with guilt.His head hung, he whispered, "What could I possibly say Bella? B
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Six
Charles chuckled and that surprised his mother. "Is that what you came all this way to say?" he asked, grabbing Isabella's hand after as though he intended to ignite his mother's rage."Did you hear what I said Charles? Your wife is incapable of giving birth!""So?" He laughed again and faced the woman beside him who was trying to keep a blank face. Claire wondered why Charles was acting like it was no big deal. She knew how particular he was about having a child or two when finally married."How is this funny Charles? I am trying to tell you that-""I already knew Mother. And it is not her fault. So, I don't really see the point you are trying to make here."Claire Oxford scoffed and decided to take a different route. "I heard Ordinaz wants a grandchild from you."He instantly frowned and asked cautiously, " How do you know about that?"Shrugging, the woman who was now wearing a sly smile adjusted the jacket sprawled over her shoulde
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Five
Claire Oxford was smiling so unusually, it made the women around her very curious and a bit worried as they heard she was left out of her son’s wedding to a divorcee.But the woman had no care in the world about what they all thought. They were looking for a topic for gossip anyway. So, she excused herself and made for her room, making sure to tell the housekeeper to entertain her guests well.As soon as she closed the door of her huge, plainly decorated room which held more of her clothes and accessories in a way that irked her husband but comforted her, she became even more relaxed.Taking out her phone to call Charles, Mrs. Oxford wondered if he would be with Isabella Shade. She then wondered if he knew that she had a thing or two she was keeping from him. The woman wore a smile.She knew her son well. When he learns about the secret, he would feel betrayed and he will certainly see how the woman was not the one for him. And he would finally foll
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Four
“What?”Isabella never saw herself telling Charles that part of her past so soon. In fact, if she had a way, she would have made sure that he never finds out. But then… she just told him he was once a father.Rather, she just informed him that he would have been a father if not for the situationsurroundingher life then.“You were carrying my child?” A visibly angry Charles asked as though wanting to be certain he had not heard the wrong thing. She gave a short nod to his question. “What happened then? Wait a minute…”His head tilted to the side, his fingers danced in the air in eccentric circles as he seemed to reason something. “Isabella?”“Yes Charles?” She wasn’t surprised that tearswere already falling from her eyes. She took a second to wipe her face before looking his way again.“What you are trying to tell me is that, you were aware
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Three
It seemed like his head had somehow exploded in reaction to what the woman in front of him just spilled. Extremely taken aback, Charles's eyes darted towards Isabella whose arms were crossed with a little frown on her forehead. He wasn't ready to wonder what she could be feeling after that crazy bomb Daphne just dropped.So, he just faced the pregnant woman again and asked, "What are you talking about?"She gave her little chuckle which he always felt had a tone of evil behind it anytime it rang in his ears. Slowly, she got up and she was soon leveled in stance with him, their eyes on the same plane. "What?" She looked oddly amused. "Are you going to deny sleeping with me?"Charles almost held his hair in anguish. What kind of thing was happening to him? Daphne was just a fling and that was all she ever was. After a week, he broke all ties with her and she had no issues with it. But now..."Daphne... Are you certain this child is mine?"She scoffed
Blackmailing his runaway bride Fifty Two
After a blissful night in each other's arms, Isabella and Charles were soon on their way back home. They were presently driving along the route that led to the hangar where Charles's private aircraft was being kept. Looking out the window as the breeze that the trees juggled attracted her, Isabella wondered how it would feel to be in the air again.It had been so long since she traveled. It was not like she ever had a reason to. A vacation never even crossed her mind while she was married to Gabriel.Wearing a small smile instantly, she began to reason her life some more.She asked herself questions. Like why she never deemed it fit to take a break from running the hotel. Or why she never thought of going for a long drive after a long week of Gabriel's terrible nagging.Definitely, she would have felt less worked up if she had done those little things.Isabella sighed. There was no cause for regrets. Another chance was in front of her t
