Debt. Betrayal. Auction. Isabella Sterling, a master manipulator in disguise, was sold to Dante Belucci, the notorious and feared Mafia boss. His prize. His captive bride. They thought she was broken. They were wrong. She would use him, his power, his world, to destroy those who betrayed her. By the time he realized her dangerous game, he'd fallen too deep. He'd learn that the woman he owned was far more dangerous than he ever imagined. When Dante looked at her, his heart broken, he asked, "Did you ever love me, Isabella?”
View MoreISABELLADanica smirked at me, a nasty disgust twisting her lips. “Do you think you’re finally free from everything? Not yet, Isabella. Do you know who bought you?” She chuckled. “Well, rumors say he’s the new, youngest mafia boss. And do you know what they do to a girl like you? Oops, I can’t even imagine.”Caspian glanced at me and ordered his guard, “Take her to Mr. Belluci.” "Shame on you, Caspian!" I exclaimed, then turned my gaze to Danica. "And you too, Danica! I'm going to come back strong, and you two are going to pay for this!"And they just laughed at me.In the corner were my so-called friends, just watching me without uttering a single word of comfort. They were too scared to speak, too cowardly even to say hi.Keira sighed; Ashley just lowered her gaze while fidgeting with her fingers, and then Sophia bit her lower lip, turned away, grabbed her purse, and walked away without even glancing at me.A bitter laugh escaped my lips, a sound devoid of humor. "Damn you," I whis
ISABELLA"Damn it, I have to escape. There's no way I'm letting myself be sold at an auction! I'm not that cheap." I muttered to myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror—my curves emphasized by the shimmering, silk of the nude, form-fitting gown. I shook my head, a tremor running through me. "Absolutely not. I'm not going into that auction."A knock sounded on the door. My eyes widened as I recognized the man's voice—Caspian's bodyguard."Miss Isabella, are you ready?" he asked.I bit my lip, anxiety twisting in my gut, and glanced at the window. Damn. No escape. Was jumping my only way out of this hell?Before I could decide, the door burst open. Danica's mother, Jessica, stood there, her face contorted with rage, but a flicker of something else—fear?—in her eyes. "How could you cremate your father without giving him a proper funeral? How could you do this to him?"I clasped my hands together, trying to remain calm. "Jessica, I did hold a proper funeral for my father...""And h
ISABELLA"Where am I?"The nurse checked my IV fluids and replied, "You're in the hospital, Miss Sterling."A flashback flooded my mind. I held my head and asked, "Where's the man who saved me?" I took a deep breath, trying to recall his face, but it was so blurry. I could only remember his voice."A man?" the nurse smiled. "Miss Sterling, you were brought in by your driver."I grasped the sheet tightly, fighting back tears. There was no man.The door opened, and Caspian entered, this time with Danica. Danica clung to his arm, a sweet smile on her face. She looked me up and down, her gaze lingering on the bruises on my arm. "I'm so sorry for what happened, dear cousin. We did our best to find the person who did this to you, right, Caspian?" And I glared at her, my stare piercing her very soul. But she just laughed. "Look at her," she said, "look at how she's staring at me, as if I was the one who tried to kill her."Caspian walked towards me and snatched my chin. "Isabella, you've be
ISABELLA"Miss Isabella, we regret to inform you about your father.""What? Where is he?" My voice trembled, a knot tightening in my stomach. I never imagined this day, this feeling of utter helplessness."He's been arrested. Financial fraud." He sighed, his gaze dropping to the polished floor as if he couldn't bear to meet my eyes.A gasp escaped me, my hand flying to my mouth. "No..."Outside, the media just arrived; they look like a fucking chaotic monster who wants to get a hold of me with their blinding flashes of cameras. "Shut the gate, please!" I yelled at the guards."He can't have done that. My father is innocent. He can't." My voice was a strained whisper, a desperate plea to a world that seemed to be crumbling around me.My knees felt weak, and I swayed slightly. Financial fraud? The phrase was foreign, impossible. My father, the man who instilled in me the importance of honesty and integrity? He wouldn't… he couldn't. But the captain's somber expression, the chaos outsid
ISABELLA"To Isabella and Caspian!" My father, Victor Sterling's voice boomed as he raised his glass of champagne. "May your future be as bright as your present."I don't know if today is the best day of my life, but I'm thrilled. I'm engaged to the man I've admired since grade school, and now, in our twenties, our families have arranged a marriage. It was intended as a business arrangement, but for me, it's everything I've ever wanted—to marry Caspian Thorne.Everything seemed perfect.I smiled at Caspian, but his eyes were distant. Following his gaze, I saw him staring at my cousin, Danica. Danica, with her pretty, luscious face and perpetually haughty attitude, had always been distant from me. However, I’d seen her at every family event like this. Her mother is my mother’s sister. But since my mother died, her mother has been rumored to be my dad’s mistress for a decade. I’ve chosen to remain blind to it; as long as my father is happy, what can I do?Danica is Caspian’s newly hire
ISABELLA"To Isabella and Caspian!" My father, Victor Sterling's voice boomed as he raised his glass of champagne. "May your future be as bright as your present."I don't know if today is the best day of my life, but I'm thrilled. I'm engaged to the man I've admired since grade school, and now, in our twenties, our families have arranged a marriage. It was intended as a business arrangement, but for me, it's everything I've ever wanted—to marry Caspian Thorne.Everything seemed perfect.I smiled at Caspian, but his eyes were distant. Following his gaze, I saw him staring at my cousin, Danica. Danica, with her pretty, luscious face and perpetually haughty attitude, had always been distant from me. However, I’d seen her at every family event like this. Her mother is my mother’s sister. But since my mother died, her mother has been rumored to be my dad’s mistress for a decade. I’ve chosen to remain blind to it; as long as my father is happy, what can I do?Danica is Caspian’s newly hire...
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