chapter 4

His words ignited a spark of anger within me. “ She’s not my mom,” I spat, my voice turned venomous. “ To think you have the audacity to say that when we both know you cheated on my mom.”

My Dad’s eyes blazed with fury. “ Isabella, that’s enough. You’ll respect your stepmother regardless of her being your biological mother or not!”

I remained resolute, my heart began pounding in a steady rhythm. “ I’m moving out for good. Not for school, neither for some temporary thing. I’m getting married.” I deadpanned, with my arms folded across my chest.

The room fell silent, and they both exchanged shocked and confused glances.

My Dad’s face turned red, and he spluttered, “ What kind of silly tantrum is this? What do you mean you’re getting married out of the blue?”

I kept my voice calm, trying to convey a sense of certainty. “ It’s not a tantrum. I’ve made up my mind.”

My Dad slammed his fist on the table.

“ You will return to your room right this minute and forget about this nonsense!”

A sense of unyielding resistance rose up inside me. I shook my head in defiance.

“ No.”

My Dad’s face turned red with rage.

“ You will return to your room right this instant and forget about this nonsense, Isabella!”

But, I refused to back down. “ It’s okay for Mia to complain unnecessarily for no valid reason whatsoever, and you don’t call that a tantrum.” I said, my voice steady.

“ But when it comes to me, it’s suddenly a tantrum?”

My Dad’s expression turned ugly. “ I’m not about to have this conversation, neither am I gonna argue with you, Isabella.”

I smiled, but it was tinged with a deep-seated anger. “ You should be glad I’m leaving. After all, that’s what you’ve always wanted, right?”

My Dad’s face twisted in anger, “ Isabella!” and he raised his hand to hit me, I flinched, preparing for the impact. But before his hand could make contact with my face, a firm voice yelled out from behind him.

The loud voice cut through the air, making my Dad freeze. “ Mr Genovese, STOP!”

My Dad slowly turned around, his eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of Ryan West standing in the doorway.

A nervous and confused look crossed my Dad’s face, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he struggled to process the sudden arrival of the wealthiest and most influential man in the world.

My Dad’s hands dropped to his sides, and my stepmom hastily smoothed out her dress, trying to compose herself. My Dad, still looking shaken, forced out a nervous laugh and said, “ Mr West, what brings you here?”

Ryan’s expression was inscrutable as he walked towards my dad, his hands were tucked into his pockets. “ I could ask you the same thing, Mr Genovese,” His voice sounded low and even. “ What were you just trying to do?”

My Dad’s eyes darted back and forth, and he cleared his throat before speaking.

“ Oh nothing, Mr West. My daughter was just being stubborn. And I was trying to….ah….put her right in check.”

Ryan’s gaze narrowed, his eyes never leaving my Dad’s face. “ I see.” He said, his voice dripping with skepticism. “ And does that usually involve raising your hands on her?”

My Dad’s face turned bright red as he took a step back, his eyes darted to me and then back at Ryan. “ I…I was just trying to discipline her, Mr West.” He stammered.

Ryan’s expression turned cold, and his voice icy. “ Discipline her? By hitting her? I think not, Mr Genovese.”

The room fell silent, the only sound one could hear was the heavy breathing of my Dad and Stepmom. I felt a surge of gratitude towards Ryan for standing up for me, also for seeing the truth and calling it out.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed, and his voice turned firm. “ By the way, who gave you the right to raise your hand to my wife?”

My Dad and Stepmom stared up at him, with confusion etched on their faces. My Dad’s eyes darted back and forth before he asked. “ Uh, Mr West, what do you mean?”

Ryan cleared his throat, a sly smile appeared on his face. “ I don’t think we’ve properly met, I’m the man your daughter’s getting married to, Mr Genovese. And I believe you don’t have a problem with it.”

My stepmom let out a nervous laugh, her eyes darted to me before she said,

“ Um, Mr. West, are you sure it’s Isabella here you want to get married to? I mean it could be the second one. My daughter Mia….”