CHAPTER 5

I could feel the weight of it all as soon as I entered the restaurant. The sound of glasses clinking and soft conversation blended with the aroma of roasted garlic and herbs. It was meant to be familiar and reassuring. But it felt like a prison tonight. The shiver that was creeping up my spine was too strong for the cozy glow of the candlelight.

I saw Leonardo already seated at the table with my father. Wearing his typical fitted suit, my father appeared very relaxed, as though this were just another informal family meal. He took a slow, peaceful sip of his wine. However, Leonardo was another matter.

He sat there like a king on his throne, exuding power in every subtle movement. He didn’t have to say a word, but his presence alone commanded the room. The waiters even appeared to be more careful around him, as if they were worried about taking a wrong step. The whole place seemed to give way to his will. With every step becoming more difficult, I forced myself to move in the direction of the table. As I got closer, Leonardo's eyes found me and locked onto mine with the same unclear, icy focus. No warmth, no grin. Only the silent danger in their dark eyes.

My father nodded and said, "Isabella," motioning for me to take a seat. "We were just talking about the wedding arrangements."

Plans for the wedding. Despite my best efforts, I managed to sit down. I slid into the seat next to Leonardo, avoiding his eyes and keeping mine down. The words tasted like ash in my mouth when I spoke in a tight voice, "How exciting."

I had to resist the want to pull away when Leonardo's fingers touched mine while he reached for his glass of wine. Although his touch was short, it left a mark on my skin and served as a subtle reminder that the chains were getting tighter around me. I felt bound without his even having to hold me down.

Leonardo turned to face me and said, "So," in a smooth, surprisingly composed voice. You must have been getting ready for the next phase of your life. After all, it's a significant adjustment.

He challenged me to look away as his gaze pierced mine. I was aware that his question went beyond simple banter. It served as a test. He wanted to know if I would comply or not.

In an attempt to prevent my voice from trembling, I forced a steady breath. "I've been considering it," I said thoughtfully. "There's a lot to process."

His lips curled into a sneer, but it was without amusement. It's just cold math. "I am positive that it is. This relationship is vital to our families. Like a huge stone, the burden of his words fell upon me. The danger between us was unspoken and grew large. Discussion and rebellion were out of the question. My life, my future, was no longer mine. I answered quietly, "I understand," as I looked down at the dish in front of me, the food suddenly not looking delicious. In his chair, Leonardo leaned back and swirled his glass of wine as if it were the most natural conversation in the world. "All right. I would hate to witness any issues. That is not what we would want, would it?

Issues, I winced as I heard the word. His purpose was clear. There would be consequences if I attempted to defy him or get out of this situation. For my family as well as for myself. From the beginning, Leonardo had made sure I understood that. My father's voice was now just background noise as he proceeded to discuss locations and guest lists, either unaware or uninterested. The air was too heavy and thick to breathe. . Leonardo hadn’t looked away from me once. It was as if he was studying me, dissecting me, waiting for any sign of rebellion.

But what could I do? The thought of running crossed my mind again, as it had a thousand times before. I could leave, vanish into the night, and never look back. But that would be a death sentence for my father. For my family. Leonardo would make sure of that. I could feel my chest tightening, panic bubbling under the surface, but I pushed it down. I had to. I had to keep playing the part they wanted. The dutiful daughter, the obedient fiancée. The puppet. As the dinner dragged on, I barely touched my food. My father’s enthusiasm for wedding plans was almost grotesque. How could he be so excited about this, about handing me over to a man like Leonardo? Could he not see it? Or did he just not care?

“Everything will be perfect,” my father said, clinking his glass with Leonardo’s. “A union to remember.”

Leonardo’s smile was sharp as glass. “It certainly will be.”

The words felt like a knife twisting in my gut. I was losing control. Any hope I’d had of finding a way out was slipping through my fingers, and Leonardo knew it. He had me cornered, and he was enjoying every second of it.

Then, just when I thought I couldn’t stand it anymore, my father’s phone rang. He cast a quick glance at the screen, a small frown forming. "Pardon me," he murmured, getting up to answer the phone and moving away from the table.

I became motionless. Leonardo and I were the only ones left in the restaurant, and the din had subsided to a low murmur around us.

With a low, menacing voice, Leonardo leaned in. He whispered, "You're mine now, Isabella," as his breath trailed off my ear. This is something you cannot escape. Don't try to escape me. Do you comprehend?

My heart raced as I forcefully gulped. I wanted to cry out, to shoo him off, to tell him that I would never be his. But my voice failed me, so all I could do was nod.

His eyes did not open when he grinned. "Well," he muttered. "Because I will destroy everything you hold dear if you even consider defying me." I'll also see to it that you watch.

My stomach knotted up, and my heart fell out. Although I had always known Leonardo to be hazardous, hearing the warning expressed so sternly and definitively was like the last nail in my coffin.

I was confined. Totally and totally imprisoned.

My father turned back to the table at that precise moment, his countenance unreadable. "We must depart," he stated firmly. "There was a circumstance."

Even though there was a dark, disturbing flicker in Leonardo's eyes, he stood calmly and unfazed. "Obviously."

My thoughts spinning from the weight of it all, my legs felt weak as I stood up to follow them. However, Leonardo's hand tightened around my wrist and pulled me back just before we got to the door.

With a menacing whisper, he leaned in close. "Keep in mind, Isabella. You are unable to elude me.

He then left me, leaving me with the cold promise of his words ingrained in my bones.

There was nowhere for me to go. Not any longer