Who Is She?

Victor's POV

Isabella...

Just the thought of her name carried a weight that weighed heavy in my heart. She wasn’t just any woman—she was a piece of my past that refused to fade.

Growing up, Isabella had been family. Her father and my father had been inseparable, practically brothers, bound by loyalty forged in blood and fire. That loyalty had cost Isabella's father his life. During a raid, her father had pushed my father out of harm's way, taking the bullets meant for him.

In honor of that sacrifice, my father adopted Isabella, raising her as one of his own.

From the moment Isabella joined our household, she was a force to be reckoned with. Strong-willed, fearless as they come, and unapologetic, she took whatever she wanted.

As teens, I must admit that I'd fallen hard for her, captivated by her confidence and beauty. I loved her with everything I had. She was supposed to be my forever home. I had planned our future together, I was going to marry her, believing we’d grow old side by side, and so I proposed and she said yes.

On our wedding day, I stood there on the alter waiting for my soon to be wedded wife, I waited and waited. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes turned to hours, hours turned to days, days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, but still Isabella never came back. She had vanished. No explanation, no trace.

I was shattered

Now, here she was, laying beside me on my bed as though nothing had ever happened. "Where have you been all these years, Isabella?" I asked. My voice steady, my chest tightening with every word.

"What happened that day?"

Isabella leaned closer, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. “Does it matter, Victor?” she whispered, brushing her lips against mine. “I’m here now.”

I pulled back, my jaws tightening. "Don't avoid the question Isabella."

Her smile faltered, but only for a moment. She straightened up on the bed and crossed her arms, her eyes glinting with determination. “Fine. If you must know, I left because I had to. It’s complicated.”

"But none of that matters anymore. Why don't you just divorce Camilla and marry me. Let’s go back to the way things were.”

I chuckled, “You know my father arranged my marriage to Camilla. It’s done. There’s no undoing it.”

Isabella’s eyes narrowed. “Do you love her?”

Love? Hahaha

I shook my head, a smirk forming on my lips. “Love? No. You know me better than anyone. It's business.”

Isabella relaxed, her confidence returning. She placed her hand on mine, her voice dropping to a sultry tone. “Then why let her stand in our way?”

I didn’t answer, suddenly, my mind was clouded by memories of the past and the complications of the present.

I laid with Isabella the entire night, remembering the old times.

Could she be right? Could I just go against my father's wishes?

****************

The next day, I sat in my office, engrossed in paperwork, when my secretary buzzed in. “Sir, someone is here to see you.”

“Send them up,” I replied, glancing at the security feed to see who it was. My breath hitched as Isabella appeared on the screen, walking through the halls with an air of authority.

What was she doing here at the office?

I straightened up in my chair, preparing myself for her entry. When Isabella entered, she was a vision—her dress hugging her curves perfectly, her makeup flawless. She sauntered toward me, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Isabella,” I said, my tone sharp yet cautious. “What are you doing here?”

She came towards me and hugged me, her perfume enveloping me. She smelt so good. “Just visiting,” she said with a smirk, moving around the room.

Her gaze landed on a picture of Camilla that sat on a counter. “What’s this picture even doing here? Not like you too really love each other”

I sighed. “I told you, I had no choice.”

With a sneer, Isabella tossed the picture aside and perched on my lap, her fingers trailing through my hair. I was hypnotized. Before I could react, one of my men barged in.

“Sir!"

“Can’t you knock?” I snapped.

The man apologized hastily. “We caught someone posing as one of us during the heist. We took him to the chamber for questioning but he’s refusing to talk.”

My interest suddenly piqued. “The difficult ones are always fun,” I said, standing.

“Let’s go.”

Isabella followed

“Uhm where do you think you're going?" I asked

"Oh c'mon Victor, are you trying to stop me from going with you?” She gave a sturn look.

“Alright, let's go" I caved and allowed her to tag along.

**************

In the interrogation room, the poser was tied to a chair, blindfolded. He screamed obscenities, refusing to cooperate. I struck him multiple times, but the man remained silent.

“He's a tough one" I admitted.

Isabella watched for a moment before stepping forward. “Let me handle this Victor.”

I raised an eyebrow but gestured for my men to remove the blindfold. Isabella crouched in front of the man, her gaze piercing. “Tell us what we want to know,” she said, her voice sweet yet commanding. “And then maybe I'll let you live"

“Ha! Lady your wasting your time, torture me all you want, I ain't no snitch"

Isabella laughed

"Who said anything about torturing you…, Mr Elias”

The poser looked up, his expression screaming shocked.

Isabella definitely hit a nerve, she started pacing around him

“It'd be ashame if your daughter's couldn't go to school anymore, wouldn't it?"

“You wouldn't dare!" The man was tensed, his veins popping out

“Trust me Mr Elias, you don't want to see what I'm capable of" focusing on him, she stared him down, “now tell us what we need to know" she leaned closer, whispering something in his ear.

He was done

“Fine"

The man’s resistance crumbled instantly, “I'll talk" confessions spilling from his lips.

Everyone was stunned, but I just smirked. “Still as manipulative as ever,” I said.

Isabella sashayed out, her confidence unshaken. She slid into the driver’s seat of the car telling me to get in. I got in and immediately, she switched gears and sped away recklessly, laughing as I clutched my seatbelt.

She drove till we arrived at a hotel, “home sweet home." She said, “I'm staying here for now"

She led me to her room. She brought out a bright red spotted bikini set and changed into it right in front of me, I sat there smiling at the sight. When she was done, she sank into the balcony Jacuzzi, and gestured for me to join in. “Aren't you coming in?”

I quickly joined her.

Isabella’s eyes trailed to the scar on my neck. Her fingers brushed against it. “I thought this would’ve healed by now.”

My jaw tightened. “Some scars never do.”

Her gaze softened. “Do you still remember how you got it?”

“How could I forget?” I replied bitterly, remembering the events of that day.

“My father made sure I never would.”

************

Carrie's POV

The garden was serene, a haven of peace amidst the chaos of the mansion. I strolled through the pathways, Ayo trailing a few steps behind. A chill breeze made me shiver, and Ayo immediately offered to fetch me a scarf.

“Thank you Ayo,” I said softly, watching him disappear toward the house.

I reached the garden’s center and sat on a wooden bench, running my fingers over the engraved letters “V&I, forever bound?”

I wondered what that could stand for

“Enjoying the garden?”

I gasped, turning to see The Reaper standing behind me, his movements silent as ever.

“Apologies,” he said, chuckling. “People do say I move like a shadow.”

He wandered through the flowers, his fingers brushing against the petals.

“Isabella,” he began, his voice heavy with disdain. “Her father was like my brother, he was the best of the best. His noble sacrifice brought her into our family. She grew up with Victor, they were practically siblings, but Victor fell in love with her and they started dating, Victor even proposed.”

"Isabella manipulated him, and tried to claim everything he had. She’s a snake, Camilla. One that bites without warning.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.

The Reaper chuckled darkly. “Because I know you wanted to know. Curiosity can be dangerous, my dear.”

My dear!?

My eyes immediately drifted back to the bench’s engraving, my heart sinking as the meaning of the initials became clear.

V&I—Victor and Isabella!

The Reaper handed me an envelope, then wrapped a scarf around my neck. “It’s cold out,” he said before vanishing into the shadows.

Ayo returned moments later with the scarf he had gone to fetch, his brow furrowing when he saw the one already around my neck. “Uhm why don't we go in. Shall we?,” I said quickly, leading him inside.

By the fireplace, I opened the envelope. Inside were two tickets, tickets to an all expensive paid exotic honeymoon destination. I sighed, tossing the scarf into the flames. “I rather freeze than collect anything from you”

Looking at the tickets again I thought, “I might get some useful information out of Victor if we're alone."

I called for Ayo. “Pack my things,” I ordered. “I'm going on my honeymoon.

*************

*****Later, as they boarded the cruise ship that would take them to their destination, a shadowy figure watched from the distance. Speaking into a walkie-talkie, he whispered, “Target acquired.”