Isabella POV
Jean, my big sister, exhaled a breath as she curled my hair like an expert and I admired her through the vanity mirror.It was apparently the wedding day, the dress was beyond elegant and the ambiance of the wedding was perfectly arranged including my hairstyle.The food, the presence of the Priest, the cunning bridesmaids who were clearly hired for the day and the graceful music; absolutely dazzling.There's approximately five thousand people and counting inside the church's divine sanctuary while the paparazzi and reporters were casually strolling on the outside as if this wedding was breaking news for the media.As Jean finished curling my hair, I turned around in my chair, watching her silently apply a light coat of mascara to my face. Curiosity filled my gaze as I observed her and breaking the silence, I asked, "Do you think the guy will be a good husband for the next six months?""Well, I heard he's rich and I think he's an employee of the Martínez company, so it should be okay as long as he spends his cash on you, right?" She simply shrugged her shoulders with a chuckle, holding the tip of my chin.I rolled my eyes, "Is that all you think about, Jean?" I asked, gazing up at her and she scoffed, angrily closing the lipstick."What are you referring to, Bella?" She asked, seeming pissed off."Money, that's all you seem to think about." I spoke up for once, "As long as the guy is rich, it's totally fine, right?""What am I supposed to think about, Bella?" She asked, chuckling as she stepped away from my chair."I'm the one getting married to a complete stranger, because of Dad, not you, Jean." I told her with a straight face and she threw the lipstick onto the vanity table."Yeah, a rich stranger for six months and I am pretty sure he can afford to give you everything you desire, before you both get divorced!" She surprisingly raised her voice as she took up her purse from the vanity table."Are you hearing yourself, right now?" I asked, unbelievably, gesturing a hand towards her, "And where have you been for the past few days, huh, you had Mom worried sick.""I'm stressed, so I have been taking some personal time and I don't see anything wrong with that." She claimed, running a hand through her hair."You could have at least called her once, you know how she can be." I stood up from the chair, feeling the weight of my wedding gown cascading around me as I gazed at Jean. Her eyes glanced down at my gown as if it was a sight to behold."And I needed you, but you weren't there..." I reached out to touch her on the arm, "instead, you were out with some guy I never met, Jean." I softly chuckled, feeling a slight ache in my chest."You're so ungrateful, Bella." She recoiled and I watched as she quickly exited the room, leaving me completely confused.***********I was gracefully led into the sanctuary, my parents and Pearl, my best friend, by my side. As we made our way down the aisle, Mom shared the news that Jean wouldn't be able to attend my wedding due to a sudden interview.Holding my left hand, my Dad offered me solace as we walked towards the altar and each step I took seemed to stretch time.I wore a white veil, covering my face and the enticing wedding gown fits perfectly without even displaying my hourglass hips. The white flowing layers of delicate lace and intricate beading, exudes pure elegance.As I recalled the total number of individuals inside the church, I tightly held onto my bouquet and I exhaled a nervous breath, gazing at the altar.I caught sight of the Groom's majestic back, adorned in a pristine white royal tuxedo, while the Priest stood beside him in a resplendent golden holy suit, clutching a Bible.As I stood by the altar, my Dad gave me a reassuring pat on the back before joining my Mom and Pearl in the front row which was surrounded by joyful faces.When I turned to meet the Groom's gaze, my breath caught in my chest, rendering me speechless and immobile as my throat went completely dry.He slowly pulled the veil over my head and he didn't seem quite as surprised as I am, but he actually smirked...he smirked!"This can't be happening." I muttered to myself as if this entire setting was a prank.Justin Martínez...I'm getting married to this cocky rich bastard and that's why he was in charge of the wedding while proceeding this contract?!We stared at each other though he still didn't seem shocked as I and the priest began to speak. I remembered my Dad signing the marriage contract, so the wedding has to occur today.We recited the vows mechanically and by the end of our orchestrated film, the credits rolled featuring us as wife and husband...we were married..I was married to Justin Martínez, "And with the authority bestowed upon me, you may seal this union with a kiss." The Priest declared and I raised an eyebrow in response.Justin caught sight of my reaction and let out a soft chuckle. His captivating eyes remained fixed on me, filled with a hint of curiosity while I whispered to the Priest, "What?""Do I have to?" Justin chuckled as if he was mocking me and the Priest nodded with an awkward expression on his face.I observed as the Priest made the sign of the cross over his chest and raised his gaze towards the ceiling in a reverent manner. The Priest then turned his focus back to us and I glanced at Justin, who responded by rolling his eyes.Suddenly, he gave me a peck on the lips and my cheeks heated up from the warm sensation of his lips against mine, slowly shifting my attention to the Priest.I was a nerd in high school and in college, I only had interest in my courses though I grew out of my puny little body. Most guys started to find me attractive, afterwards, but I didn't have time for relationships; I only wanted to take care of my family, knowing they had to struggle to send me to college in the first place.I was brought back to reality as the guests applauded in congratulations to the wedding ceremony and we both began to walk down the altar, leisurely exiting the church's sanctuary.The diamond wedding ring was quite cunning on my finger, but I still couldn't believe that I have to spend the next six months with Justin Martínez.When I saw my Mother and was about to hug her, I was gracefully pulled aside by Justin. He rested a hand on my lower back, looking down at me with a devilish glimmer in his eyes.I suddenly spotted my Father, approaching us and I remembered seeing him completely astonished throughout the wedding, upon this moment."My dear, mother-in-law." Justin broke the silence as he turned his attention to my Mom, "We have to leave now, it's a long journey and don't worry, I'm going to take such good care of your precious daughter.""Long journey, I'm not going anywhere with you." I scoffed at Justin and he shifted his gaze to me."A wife is supposed to live with her husband, unless they both are having feuds and you should know this as a newlywed." Justin tapped me on the nose and I glared at him."Can't I at least see them off?" I asked, gesturing a hand towards my parents. Justin shook his head as he charmingly held me by his side while he led me towards the white limousine, parked before the church.The bodyguards cautiously tried to block the paparazzi and reporters, snapping photos of us as I glanced back at my parents.As we stood by the sleek limo, I saw Noah graciously opening the back door for us and once we all settled inside, the driver started the engine.We began the journey from the church, the ride filled with a comfortable silence, the windows tinted and the air conditioner providing a cool breeze.I took notice of the luxurious interior of the limousine, appreciating the plush seats and their soft texture. Meanwhile, Justin was constantly typing on his phone and Noah had his gaze pasted on his iPad."Where are we going?" I decided to question which led to me breaking the silence inside the limousine and Justin glanced at me."Just relax and let the driver do his job." Justin responded, loosening his tie with a pull of his thumb."But, I don't have any belongings with me." I reminded him, tossing the bouquet at him.The bouquet fell on his lap in the limo and he exhaled a deep breath, saying, "Isabella, you will receive those personal stuff soon." He leaned back in the seat, placing the bouquet beside him.I opened my mouth to respond, but he spoke, "So, can you just shut the hell up?" There was a slight change of tone in his voice as he locked gaze with me and I rolled my eyes."I literally spoke two sentences just now and you're getting upset about noise, while you're sitting over there, typing like a sassy ass teenager with the annoying tapping of your damn fingers against your stupid little phone." I blasted my frustration, gesturing my hands towards him.Noah slightly chuckled."I can't believe I'm actually married." Justin shook his head with a short laugh as if he just came to realization.I scoffed, "I can't believe you orchestrated to marry a complete stranger when there's so many other girls out there, dying to date you.""I know, but I was convinced to have you." He claimed, "At that moment, I told myself, if it wasn't you, Isabella, it should be no one else."I stared at him, "You literally ruined my future, so I at least deserve to know why you wanted to get married in the first place and to me, specifically?""That's my concern, not yours to worry about." He nonchalantly responded, pointing a finger at me."I was the classified offeror and benefactor of this marriage contract, so now you are supposed to do as I say or be what I want you to be, for the next six months, wife." An impish smile crawled up his alluring face and I raised a brow, saying, "Excuse me?""Well, you will be my property for the next six months and I will divorce you based on the regulations of the contract." He spoke coldly with a straightforward face.His property, so basically, he's just going to use me then dispose of me and that's what rich cocky dudes like you do, Justin Martínez!"Property?" I found the breath to respond."We will discuss this later." Justin decided to end the conversation with a fan of his hand. I watched as he returned his gaze to his phone then I looked at Noah, who gave me a weak smile, before looking at his device.I sat silently, looking through my window in the limo while reminiscing, I will be married to Mr. Arrogance for six months?How can I possibly live rather than survive this hostile bastard for so long?Isabella POV I woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through the window and as I tried to roll over, a slight groan escaped my lips. But then I realized I was nestled in a bed that felt incredibly cozy, with the scent of a charming cologne wafting from the soft sheets and plush pillows.As my vision sharpened, I noticed the presence of a woman standing in the room. Gradually, I sat up in bed and she greeted me with a gentle smile.I took in my surroundings, realizing I was sitting on a luxurious queen-sized bed in a beautifully furnished bedroom, adorned in a rich, dark royal brown color scheme. Confusion washed over me as I questioned whether I was still dreaming or..."Buenos días, Señora Martínez." The woman greeted me, capturing my attention. Clad in a formal black and white maid uniform with the subtle presence of a few gray strands amidst her black hair which was styled in a bun, she exuded an air of elegance. "English, please." I mustered the effort to speak, even though
Isabella POV Once the servants finished setting up, Justin dismissed them with a wave of his hand. They promptly left the room. "Take a seat, wife and let me explain what I need you to do for me." Justin gestured towards a chair at the table. I hesitantly lowered myself into the chair, which was positioned beside him at the dining table. My gaze shifted towards the mouthwatering breakfast spread that adorned the center of the table. "Can you stop calling me wife, it's quite annoying." I admitted; still trying to accept our marriage. He slightly chuckled, "Says the wife." I looked the other way, grumbling. I heard him exhaling a deep breath, saying, "However..." "We will be meeting my family this weekend and I need you to be prepared." He spoke with demand in his husky voice as he straightened his tie. I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by prepare?" "I need you to get this clear..." He narrowed his attention to me, declaring, "You're going to be my wife for six mont
Isabella POV I was quite thrilled to find clothes that I liked and luckily there was a helpful female sales assistant who assisted me. I tried on the clothes in the changing room while Justin and the two bodyguards waited outside with the sales assistant. Most of the clothes fit perfectly, but for the ones that didn't, I returned them to the assistant. I stepped out from behind the curtains in yet another dress which felt like the millionth time. The bodyguards glanced at me and the sales assistant nodded with a smile, probably understanding my frustration. Justin, of course, was too busy on his phone to even look up. I returned behind the curtains, removing the dress and adding it to the pile of others I had already tried on. I started trying on the undergarments, carefully examining myself in the mirror. After a few minutes, I finally tried on the last pair, a beautiful red lace bra and matching underwear. I smiled as I held up my wavy hair and admired myself in the mirro
Isabella POV "You look absolutely stunning, señora Martínez." Lora, the head maid, gushed. It was time to attend the celebration party at Justin's company though the wedding was orchestrated, but it had to appear authentic to the media. I was merely playing a role in Justin's crafted illusions. As I gazed at my reflection in the mirrors, I admired the way the light makeup enhanced my light brown eyes. My dress for the party accentuated my figure with a perfect fit; the fabric was incredibly soft and luxurious with a gold subtle shimmer. The dress had a flattering fit with a cinched waist, a flowing A-line skirt and the neckline was adorned with delicate lace detailing. My delicate earrings added a touch of sparkle, while the matching heels completed my dress and my hair was styled in soft, wavy locks. I asked, uncertainly, "You really think so?" "Of course, señora Martínez, I would never deceive you." She declared, giving me a firm nod. "Thanks for helping me get ready,
Isabella POV "Señor López and Señor Lucas, meet my lovely wife, Isabella." Justin introduced me, his hand gently resting on my lower back. They both appeared to be in their late thirties, exuding a vibrant Mexican aura. "I'm López." The first man spoke, bowing slightly and extending a hand. "It's an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, Señora Martínez." I placed my hand in his, feeling a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "The pleasure is mutual." I replied warmly. Señor Lucas stepped forward. "As the owner of the National Global Bank, I extend my congratulations on your wedding. It was a truly magnificent day." "Enjoy the party." Justin encouraged and they nodded in agreement. He then turned to me. "Darling, I need to have a word with you." We quietly moved aside, leaving my bodyguards with Noah. Justin took my hand and guided me to a balcony overlooking the penthouse. As we stood by the railing, I noticed we were alone. "What are we doing here?" I asked, noting his styl
Isabella POV I lazily stretching my limbs, feeling the remnants of last night's party. As I sat up in bed, my laptop and smartphone caught my eye. I quickly reached for both devices, entering my old password on my phone and revealing the familiar homepage. A smile spread across my face, noting everything was still intact. I decided to give my Mother a call, eager to share the news of my well-being and to hear her voice. Afterwards, she answered, "Hello, Bella?" "Yes, Mom. Are you alright?" I asked, hearing a sigh of relief on the other end. "Yes, I'm just glad to hear your voice. How are you holding up?" She inquired. "I'm doing fine, but how's everything back home?" I questioned, concerned. "Your father is doing well and the shop is running smoothly, but Jean hasn't been home lately." She informed me and I furrowed my eyebrows. "She only called a few times, but she hasn't mentioned anything about the interview." I could hear the worry in her voice as she continued. "I d
Isabella POV I walked alongside Justin, accompanied by my two personal bodyguards. The photography studio was located at a bustling Mall in the city. Looking around, I noticed the studio was humming with activity and workers were diligently focused on their tasks. We quietly reached a different section of the building within seconds. A guy opened a wooden door and we stepped into the room, revealing the main studio. The space was filled with an array of professional equipment, from cameras and lighting setups to a variety of backdrops. There, I spotted a man sitting on a stool, meticulously fixing a camera in his hands, positioned before a gallery wall. The guy greeted the man, "Mr. Paul, they have arrived." Mr. Paul, a man with an artistic style and shoulder-length blonde hair, caught my attention as he stood up and approached us with a smile. While Justin and the others gathered around him, engaging in a conversation, I remained rooted to the spot, taking in the aest
Isabella POVFinally, the weekend has arrived and today I am scheduled to meet Justin's relatives, the Martínez family. Through various media and magazines that my father often brings home, I've seen the Martínez family featured in them quite often.They always look so perfect and flawless as if they have this picture perfect life that everyone dreams of. So, I'm keeping my hopes up that Justin's family will be different from him; perhaps less arrogant at least. I haven't actually spoken to Justin since the photoshoot though we live in the same house, but I have noticed that he tends to be cooped up in his study room and hardly ever around. As for me, I find myself engrossed in the enchanting world of books, spending most of my time in my bedroom and exploring the vast collections within the mansion.I casually made my way downstairs in my light blue waffle knit lounge set and comfy slippers, my attention fixated on a paperback cookbook. As I stood in the lobby, I caught snippets
Justin POVWe sank into the cushions, my lips trailed along her jawline and left a trail of kisses down her neck, drawing a soft whisper of my name from her. "Justin..."Her fingers threaded through my hair, her soft, uneven breaths carrying my name like a whispered melody.My hand rested on the curve of her neck as I moved closer, my hips pressing forward between her legs. A sweet, breathless moan slipped from her lips, drawing me further into the moment.My other hand drifted upward, brushing against her breast. Her body responded, warm and inviting, even through the fabric beneath my touch. But, just as my thumb grazed over her perky nipple, a sudden bark rang out, shattering the moment entirely.Peach.The little menace leaped onto the sofa, tail wagging furiously and breaking the moment.Isabella pushed against my chest, her cheeks flushed as she quickly stood up. She scooped up the squirming furball, cradling the puppy in her arms. "Peach!"I sat back, running a hand through m
Justin POVThe sun dipped low on the horizon, a golden glow casting over the calm waters surrounding my yacht. I leaned against the balcony railing, a glass of wine in my hand. Isabella lay stretched out on the outdoor sofa, her legs curled slightly, her hair spilling over the cushions in soft waves. A book rested in her hands, its cover sporting the title The Glass Castle. Occasionally, she reached for the bowl of strawberries and grapes beside her. She smiled as she read, her fingers grazing the fruit before popping one into her mouth.I watched as Peach, the little furball, darted back and forth across the deck like she was on a sugar high.I sipped my wine, savoring the crisp tang of the liquid. Unable to resist Isabella's peaceful image any longer, I headed down. She didn’t look up when I approached, too engrossed in her book. I set my wine glass down on the table before settling into the space beside her. Her lips curved faintly as I gently lifted her legs and placed them
Justin POV"Yeah." I muttered into the phone, barely listening to Sonia’s endless rambling. "Everything’s fine here.""Bye." I said curtly, eager to end the conversation. I glanced over at Isabella, who was glaring at me like I’d just committed a crime. Before I could hang up, Isabella’s hand was suddenly cupping my jaw. She squeezed my cheeks together, forcing my mouth into some ridiculous face as her lips silently mouthed, "Say “Mom”." She tilted her head, batting those ridiculous puppy-dog eyes at me. I raised a brow at her.Did she really think that was going to work on me?…Apparently, I played along."Bye…Mom." I gritted out, each syllable more painful than the last.Isabella’s grin lit up her whole face, a little too smug for my liking, as I ended the call and tossed the phone aside."You’re relentless, wife." I muttered, running a hand over my face."And who’s a good boy?" She teased, tilting her head at me like she was addressing a misbehaving puppy.I smirked but kept my
Justin POVFrom the bedroom balcony, I leaned against the railing, shaking up my bottle of protein shake and watching her down by the shore. Isabella was barefoot, her light dress flowing in the breeze as she bent to pick up seashells, carefully placing them into a bucket. Peach darted around her, barking and chasing the waves.Isabella held her beach hat with one hand, trying to keep it from flying away in the breeze as the puppy circled her feet. What is she even doing? Collecting seashells like a kid.Shaking my head, I turned away, taking a swig of my shake. As I stepped back into the room, my phone started ringing from where I’d left it on the sofa.Sonia. Her name lit up the screen, but I didn’t bother answering. I set the phone down and walked to the floor mat in the corner, taking another sip before putting the shake on the nightstand. I wasn’t in the mood for her probing—questions about how the “honeymoon” was going, about Isabella or about when she could expect grandkids
Justin POVAs soon as I saw her wince, clutching her palm, I knew something was wrong. Without a word, I stepped to the refrigerator, grabbed a bag of frozen peas and returned to her. She stood there, biting her bottom lip as if trying to hide her discomfort."Here." I said, holding her hand gently and pressing the cold bag against her palm. Her skin was warm under my touch and the small furrow between her brows tugged at something inside me I couldn’t name.Before I could step back, she pulled me into a hug. The gesture caught me off guard, but I didn’t resist. Her head rested against my shoulder and I felt her relax against me, her frame soft yet grounding.I stood there, uncertain for a moment, before my arms slowly circled her. Hugging her back felt...natural, almost too natural. This wasn’t supposed to be part of the plan. She wasn’t supposed to get to me like this.But damn it, she was.Isabella was nothing like I expected. Sweet, soft and kind—yet surprisingly stubborn and re
Isabella POV When I wandered into the kitchen, Peach darted past me, her little tail wagging as she carried her bone-shaped chew toy toward the living room. I shook my head with a small smile, turning my attention to the fridge. Breakfast it is, I thought, pulling the door open to find the shelves fully stocked.I glanced around the kitchen, admiring the modern appliances and neatly arranged cupboards before tying my hair into a quick ponytail. Spotting an apron hanging near the counter, I slipped it on and started gathering what I needed.Reaching into the fridge, I pulled out a carton of eggs and a box of milk. My eyes caught sight of a container of fresh strawberries and I couldn’t resist popping one into my mouth as I set the rest in a bowl. Next, I retrieved flour, cinnamon, vanilla and baking powder from the cupboards, carefully lining everything up on the counter.As I washed my hands at the sink, I realized I’d forgotten the butter. Returning to the fridge, I rummaged a
Isabella POV I snuggled deeper beneath the sheets, a soft smile tugging at my lips as I hugged my pillow tightly. The warmth and comfort were perfect—until I noticed something solid under my cheek.Blinking groggily, I opened my eyes, only to realize I wasn’t holding a pillow at all. My breath hitched as I looked up, finding myself curled against Justin’s chest, his arm draped securely around my waist.The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Carefully, I raised my head from his chest, studying his face. He was fast asleep, his features completely relaxed. My gaze lingered on his strong jawline and those dark lashes that softened his otherwise sharp features.Unable to resist, I tentatively traced my index finger along his jaw, the stubble rough beneath my touch. A small smile tugged at my lips as I poked his perfectly sculpted nose. When a strand of his silky hair fell loose, I absentmindedly brushed it back, my fingers grazing h
Isabella POV Another sneeze betrayed me, louder this time. I sighed, burrowing deeper into the sheet in defeat. I tried to focus on the warmth of the fabric and ignore the discomfort, but exhaustion soon began to win out. Just as I was drifting off, I felt myself being lifted. My eyes flew open and I found Justin carrying me, the sheet still wrapped tightly around me."My stubborn little wife." He muttered, shaking his head as he walked toward the bed."I’m fine..." I started, but another sneeze cut me off."You’re fine, huh?" He said, smirking as he gently set me down on the bed. He tucked the sheet around me like I was some fragile thing, ignoring my glare.His hand pressed softly against my forehead, his eyes meeting mine. "No fever." He teased, leaning closer. "But those red cheeks? Hmm...interesting."I could feel my face heating even more. "I’m just cold." I mumbled, glaring at him half-h
Isabella POV As Justin and I strolled along the wooden porch, I noticed the two waiters ahead, carrying our suitcases toward the house. The faint sound of the ocean waves reached my ears, prompting me to glance back at the yacht anchored in the distance. The glow from the porch’s light posts brightened our path and a cool breeze swept through, brushing against my skin. I shivered involuntarily, drawing closer to Justin. Without a word, he slipped an arm around my shoulders, his hand gliding gently along my arm, warming me. I tilted my head to look at him, but his gaze remained fixed ahead. Following his line of sight, I noticed the grand silhouette of a beach house perched elegantly on the hill, its beauty enhanced by the moonlight. After a few more minutes of walking, we reached the house. I watched as the waiters placed our suitcases neatly by the doorway. Offering them a grateful smile, I thanked them warmly and they nodded in response. Justin handed them a tip, his