Chapter 5

Isabella Roosevelt

I paced around my apartment nervously, the walls closing in on me as my thoughts spiraled. What was I supposed to do now? My mind raced with the possible outcomes, each more terrifying than the last. I knew my father would kill me—not literally, but his wrath would be enough to make me wish he had.

Somehow, despite all of this, my brothers would end up with all the property and inheritance, while I would be left with the weight of the family’s reputation on my shoulders.

Life was so unfair.

I wanted to call my mother, to hear her soothing voice and maybe get some advice, but I wasn’t brave enough. I was too scared of what she might say—or worse, what she might not say. The thought of her disappointment was enough to freeze the phone in my hand. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I was scared of my family, especially my father. He ruled with an iron fist, and even the thought of his reaction to this disaster made my blood run cold.

I glanced at the clock—7:00 AM. Th