Prologue

Isabella's eyes were wide with shock as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. This was the biggest mistake of her life. She felt like her world was crumbling around her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and stepped out of the bathroom.

Just then, Luca Ferraro, a 50-year-old man with a kind face, walked into the room carrying a tray with some medicines. "Isabella, I brought you some medication to help with your... condition," he said gently.

But Isabella wasn't listening. She was too busy trying to process the news she had just received. She felt like she was in a daze, like she was living in a nightmare.

Luca, her father's former personal guard, stood by the window, watching her with a concerned expression. He had been like a father to her since her mother's passing when she was just seven years old. Her father, a wealthy businessman, had remarried soon after, but Isabella's stepmother had never taken a liking to her. Despite this, Isabella had grown into a strong and independent woman.

But now, at the age of 25, she found herself in a precarious situation. She was the CEO of her father's company, but after coming back from Vincent Moreno, she had been feeling unwell for weeks and had locked herself away in her house. Her assistant had been taking care of her work in her absence.

Luca's voice brought her back to reality. "How are you feeling now, Isabella? I brought you some medicine to help with your symptoms."

Isabella shook her head, trying to clear the fog. "It's not needed, Luca. I know what's happening to me."

Luca's expression turned serious. "What's going on, Isabella? You can tell me anything."

Isabella took a deep breath before blurting out the truth. "I'm pregnant, Uncle."

The room fell silent. Luca's eyes widened in shock.

Isabella continued, her voice shaking. "And the father... is Vincent Moreno."

Luca's face turned grim. "Vincent Moreno"

Isabella nodded, feeling a wave of fear wash over her. She knew what this meant. She knew that she couldn't keep her pregnancy a secret from Vincent. He would stop at nothing to claim his child.

Luca's voice brought her back to reality. "You know what this means, don't you? You can't keep this a secret from him. He'll find out, and when he does... "

Isabella's eyes flashed with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect my child, Luca. I'll go to the ends of the earth to keep them safe from him."

Luca's expression turned somber. "How long can you keep running, Bella? You can't hide forever."

Isabella's jaw set in determination. "As long as I'm alive, Luca. I'll never let him near my child."

****

After 7 years

Isabella's eyes snapped open, her heart racing as she gasped for air. It was just a dream, she told herself, trying to calm down. But the nightmares had followed her for many years, haunting her like a ghost.

She looked at the clock on her nightstand and saw that it was 7:00 AM. She threw off the covers and got out of bed, padding barefoot to the garden of her house. The dewy green grass felt cool beneath her feet, and the morning breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers. This was her favorite time of day, when the world felt peaceful and calm.

As she walked through the garden, Luca appeared at her side. "Your assistant called; you have some important meetings today," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

Isabella nodded, taking a deep breath of the morning air. "Okay, I'll get ready soon."

Luca fell into step beside her. "Has Zyne woken up, uncle?" Isabella asked, referring to her seven-year-old son.

Luca smiled. "The little master is up before you, as usual. He's gone for a walk with his dog."

Isabella's eyes narrowed. "Is he alone?"

Luca reassured her. "Not at all. I sent two guards after him, without his knowledge, of course."

Isabella nodded, feeling a sense of relief. She knew that Luca would always look out for her and Zyne.

Luca's expression turned serious. "You still have dreams of him, don't you? Why don't you forget him, Isabella?"

Isabella's eyes flashed with emotion. "How can I forget that man when his Xerox copy is always with me as a seven-year-old kid?"

Luca's face softened. "I know, Isabella. I know."

Isabella smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Luca. "You were my most favorite, well, I remembered. You gave me thirty years of your life. Now you should retire; it's time for you to take a rest."

Luca chuckled. "You are my only family, Isabella. And how can I leave you? Taking care of you is my only goal. I promised Alice."

Isabella's eyes misted as she thought of her mother. She smiled, feeling a sense of love and gratitude towards Luca.

Just then, Lisa, the head maid, appeared with a tray of coffee. "Good morning, Isabella. I brought you some coffee."

Isabella took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through her body. Just as she was starting to relax, the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of loud voices.

Isabella's heart skipped a beat as she turned towards the noise. A group of men had entered the house, their faces twisted with anger and determination.

And then, she saw him. The man who had haunted her dreams for so long. The man who had fathered her child.

"WHERE IS MY CHILD, ISABELLA?" He thundered, his eyes blazing with fury.

Isabella's cup fell from her hands, shattering on the floor. She felt like she was frozen in time, unable to move or speak.

The man took a step closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "You've been hiding my child from me for seven years. It's time I took what's mine."