CHAPTER FOUR

Isabella was heartbroken. She curled up in a corner and cried her eyes out. She couldn't sleep throughout the night. "She was probably a bad person in her former life to deserve this kind of fate," she figured

She had been trying to reach Richard for hours, but no one answered. “Richard! Richard!” She called out repeatedly, but no one responded.

How much time had passed? It should be evening by now. Wasn't the butler and the housekeeper around? Isabella felt enveloped by an endless darkness. The entire house was eerily silent, like a tomb, like her marriage.

Isabella recalled how, over the years, she had obeyed Richard's every wish. Since Richard didn't like her to be in the spotlight, she appeared rarely in public. Richard often said the media were opportunistic and advised her to avoid journalists, so she kept quiet. Richard didn't like her interacting with others, claiming it made him jealous, so she devoted all her time to him.

Now, the illusion shattered around her. Richard's controlling behaviour wasn't love – it was a need for dominance. Isabella had convinced herself that having a child would fix everything, that it would bring back the warmth in their relationship. But now she saw the harsh truth: she'd become nothing more than a trophy, a perfectly obedient wife to be displayed when convenient. If Richard thought she'd continue to be his silent, compliant puppet, he was sorely mistaken. The old Isabella might have accepted this fate, but not anymore. She was done being controlled.

A faint beeping sound caught her attention. Following it, she found her phone buried under a heap of clothes she'd planned to pack before Richard had locked her in.

Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the screen. Who could she call? Her parents? She scoffed at the thought. They would never choose her over the wealth and status that came with being in-laws to the Stones.

"There is no one," she realized, a fresh wave of despair washing over her. Then, a thought struck her. With a deep breath, she dialled 911.

Meanwhile, Richard pulled up to the house, his brow furrowing at the sight of police cars parked haphazardly near the entrance. This was unexpected, and he didn't like surprises. His eyes darted around, assessing the situation.

Composing himself quickly, Richard walked into the front house with an air of calm authority.

"Good afternoon, officers," Richard greeted them as he got to the top of the stairs, his tone courteous. "I received a call from my neighbour about your presence. May I ask what seems to be the problem?"

Johnson's eyebrows shot up in recognition. "Mr. Richard Stone? I didn't realize this was your house. We're sorry for barging in."

Louis frowned at his partner's sudden deferential tone. He helped Isabella to her feet and they made their way downstairs.

When Richard saw Isabella, his expression tensed, but he swiftly covered it with concern. "I’m terribly sorry for the confusion," he remarked, glancing between the cops. "My wife has been struggling mentally. I had to secure her room to keep her from going off and becoming lost."

Richard sighed heavily, shaking his head. "She is not in her right mind, officer. She doesn't know what she is saying. I'm just trying to protect her."

"Regardless of her mental state," Louis pressed, "she has the right to be safe and receive proper care not to be locked up."

Richard's expression hardened momentarily before smoothing out. "Of course, you are right. Our family nurse, Eliza, is overseeing Isabella's treatment plan. I can give you her contact information to verify."

Johnson nodded and stepped aside to make the call. After a brief conversation, he returned, looking satisfied. "It seems Mr. Stone is telling the truth. The nurse confirmed everything."

Louis still looked sceptical, but Johnson placed a hand on his shoulder. "We have done what we can for now. Let's go."

Just then, Richard’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen, seeing Eliza's name flash across. Stepping away from the officers, he answered the call. "Eliza?"

"Richard," Eliza’s voice came through, a mix of concern and urgency. "I just received a call from the police. They were asking about Isabella’s treatment. What’s going on?"

Richard sighed, casting a quick glance at the officers. "Don’t worry, Eliza. Everything is under control. I’ll call you back later—I’m a bit busy right now."

He ended the call and slid his phone back into his pocket, his expression unreadable as he turned to face Isabella, who was trembling with anger."Eliza is not my nurse!" Isabella shouted, her voice raw with desperation. "She’s my cousin! She turned into your mistress, Richard! You both made me look crazy to cover your affair!"

Richard’s eyes darkened, but he forced a calm expression as he walked up to her. "Isabella," he said softly, his voice dripping with false concern. "You need to calm down." He gently patted her back, as if soothing a frightened child, but his grip on her shoulder tightened ever so slightly. "Everything is going to be alright."

Isabella recoiled from his touch, her eyes blazing with fury. "Don’t touch me! I’m not crazy, and I won’t let you keep lying to everyone!"

Officer Johnson, who had been observing the exchange quietly, finally spoke up. "Mr Stone, if Isabella is in this state, why isn’t the nurse here to assist her? Shouldn’t she be present during a breakdown like this?"

Richard turned to the officer, his face a mask of regret. "Eliza is... well, she’s pregnant, Officer. She needed some time off to care for herself and the baby. That’s why she wasn’t available today."

Isabella's expression twisted with disgust. "You mean she is carrying evidence of your despicable act and an abomination to our marriage—an insult to everything we were supposed to be!"

Officer Louis shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flicking between the two. He could sense there was more to this situation than met the eye, but with no visible signs of harm and only a heated argument before him, he felt his hands were tied. "Mr Stone, Mrs Stone," he began cautiously, "from what we’ve seen, no one is hurt, and no property has been damaged. It seems to be a disagreement between the two of you, and unfortunately, there’s not much more we can do at this moment.”

As the officers prepared to leave, Isabella made one last desperate attempt. "Please," she begged, grabbing Louis's arm. "Don't leave me here. I'm not safe!"

Officer Johnson gave her a sympathetic look but remained firm. "Mrs Stone, I believe you will be fine. Your husband explained the situation, and your family nurse confirmed it. We even called the hospital where she claims to work and everything checks out. I hope you get the help you need and get better soon."

Isabella's heart sank, tears streaming down her face. "No, please, don’t leave me here! He's lying to you!"

Richard saw the officers off to the door, thanking them profusely. "Thank you for your understanding. I assure you, Isabella will be well taken care of."

As soon as the door closed behind the officers, Richard's facade crumbled. He whirled on Isabella, his eyes blazing with barely contained rage.

"You foolish woman," he shouted, moving closer. "Do you know what you have just done?"

Isabella stood firm despite her racing heart. "What I’ve done? I called for help because I was being held prisoner in my own home!"

Richard laughed, but there was no humour in it. "A prisoner? Is that what they now call someone who is living in luxury and gets everything they want?”

"Everything except my freedom," Isabella replied sharply. "This isn't a marriage, Richard. It's a cage."

His face grew serious. "Be careful with what you're saying, Isabella. You're pushing your luck. Do you really think your rebellion would change anything? Did you think I would just give in to your game?"

Isabella stood her ground. "This isn't a game, Richard. I want to leave."

Richard's eyes narrowed, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "You want to leave? Take half of my assets and go? Is that what you want?" He chuckled darkly. "Let me make something crystal clear to you, Isabella. Your cousin is carrying my child - a Stone heir. This is something you could never do for me. The only thing you can do for me now is to maintain your composure and not bring shame to the Stone family.

He leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. "So here is what is going to happen. You are going to stay put and play the role of the dutiful wife, at least until the baby is born and things settle down. After that, well...we will see."

Isabella felt her heart racing, the implications of his words sinking in. "You expect me to stay and pretend everything is fine while you have a child with my cousin?"

Richard shrugged, his indifference clear. "That is precisely what I expected. Unless, of course, you are willing to recompense me for the money I spent on you and your self-centred family. And believe me, that is a large sum of money.

Isabella's determination wavered for a second when she recognised the gravity of her situation. She had no money, a job, or a place to go. But the prospect of remaining in this loveless, nasty marriage strengthened her resolve

"What did I ever do to you to deserve this?" Isabella's voice quivered with fear and desperation.

Richard scoffed, his words laced with scorn. "Well, for starters, you are a barren and ungrateful lady who has failed to recognize her place. You have forgotten where you came from and what I have given you. Isabella, this lifestyle and status come at a cost. And it's time you remembered that."