Chapter 2 : Arrival

POV: Isabella

The car ride to Luca’s estate was a study in silent tension, thick and unyielding. The driver didn’t glance my way as he navigated through winding, narrow streets that gave way to open countryside, where sprawling hills and towering trees lined the road like sentries. Each mile that passed only solidified the reality of what I’d done.

We reached Romano estate—a tall, fortified mansion perched on a hill overlooking the city—the daylight had softened to a dull, moody gray. Massive iron gates swung open slowly, revealing manicured gardens and fountains that dotted the grounds like pieces on a chessboard. Everything was immaculately maintained, yet the beauty felt oppressive, like a gilded cage meant to trap me.

The driver opened my door, and I stepped out, feeling the weight of my suitcase handle in my hand. This was my life now, every moment dictated by a man I didn’t know, by rules I hadn’t agreed to. And yet, as I crossed the threshold, I felt the strange weight of invisible shackles settling around my wrists and ankles.

The entry hall of the estate was vast and opulent, with marble floors that gleamed under the chandelier’s glow. A staircase curved upwards, its railing polished to a mirror-like sheen, leading to hallways I didn’t care to explore. A cold shiver trickled down my spine. The grandeur was nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion meant to distract from the darkness that lurked beneath.

“Miss Isabella.”

I turned to find a tall woman with severe features, her dark hair pinned back in a tight bun. She wore a plain black dress with an apron, her hands clasped in front of her like a soldier awaiting orders. Her eyes held a mix of pity and judgment that made my skin crawl.

“I’m Deena,” she said, her voice clipped and professional. “I will be overseeing your stay here.”

I forced myself to nod, unwilling to show any sign of the unease bubbling within me. “Thank you, Deena.”

“Mr. Romano has instructed that you be shown to your quarters immediately. He’ll join you for dinner tonight in the main dining room.”

So I was expected to dine with him? Somehow, that felt more daunting than the prospect of being in his presence. It was one thing to stand up to him when emotions ran high, but now… I’d have to watch every word, every gesture, every flicker of emotion. The thought made me feel raw, exposed.

Deena led me up the sweeping staircase and down a long hallway lined with dark wood paneling. She stopped in front of a heavy oak door, pushing it open with a soft creak.

“This is your room,” she said, her voice softening slightly. “Dinner is at seven. Be prompt.”

With that, she left, leaving me alone in the cavernous room. It was beautiful, no doubt—far larger and more luxurious than any place I’d ever stayed in. A four-poster bed draped with silken sheets dominated the center, and a massive arched window overlooked the expansive grounds below.

But beauty didn’t matter here. This wasn’t a sanctuary; it was a cell. And I was trapped within it.

I dropped my suitcase on the bed and took a slow, deliberate breath, willing the panic to subside. I would survive this. I had no other choice.

---

Dinner arrived too quickly, the hours slipping by as I sat by the window, staring at the grounds below, wondering how many other women had walked this same path, and had been bound by similar contracts. How many had lost pieces of themselves along the way?

At exactly seven, I made my way to the dining room. The long table was set with fine china, crystal goblets, and candles that flickered softly, casting an amber glow over the polished wood.

Luca was already seated at the head of the table, a glass of dark red wine in hand. He looked up as I entered, his gaze intense and unyielding.

“Isabella,” he said smoothly, gesturing to the seat beside him. “Sit.”

I bristled at the command but took my seat, forcing myself to meet his gaze. I wouldn’t let him see the fear simmering beneath the surface.

“I trust Deena showed you to your room?” he asked, his tone casual, as if we were nothing more than acquaintances catching up over dinner

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady. “It’s… adequate.”

A faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his attention to the food that had been laid out before us—exquisite dishes of roast lamb, truffle risotto, and steamed vegetables. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to take a small bite, unwilling to show weakness.

“So,” Luca began, swirling his wine glass lazily, “now that you’re here, I think it’s time we established some ground rules.”

I set my fork down, meeting his gaze with as much defiance as I could muster. “Ground rules?”

He nodded, his expression unreadable. “You are, as we’ve established, here to fulfill your father’s debt. That means your loyalty belongs to me now. Your actions, your decisions—they are no longer yours to make.”

Anger surged within me, but I bit it back, forcing myself to remain calm. “And what exactly does that entail?”

“You will accompany me to events when required,” he said, his tone sharp. “You will conduct yourself with the dignity expected of someone in your position. And above all, you will not attempt to leave this estate without my permission.”

I clenched my fists beneath the table, my nails digging into my palms. “So, I’m nothing more than a prisoner.”

“If you want to call it that.” His smile was cold, unfeeling. “But if you cooperate, I see no reason why this arrangement can’t be… mutually beneficial.”

The thought of “benefitting” from him made my skin crawl. But I kept my voice steady, meeting his gaze head-on. “I don’t want anything from you, Luca. Least of all your so-called ‘benefits.’”

His smile faltered, and for a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes—surprise, maybe, or anger. But it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“You may feel that way now,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, “but you’ll come to understand, Isabella. You’ll learn your place.”

I swallowed back the sharp retort on my tongue, unwilling to provoke him further. For now, I needed to be strategic. I couldn’t afford to show weakness.

After a long, tense silence, Luca set down his glass and stood. “I have business to attend to,” he said curtly. “Deena will show you to your quarters when you’re finished here.”

Without another word, he strode out of the room, leaving me alone in the cavernous dining hall. The silence was overwhelming, pressing in on me from all sides.

As I sat there, the reality of my situation settled over me like a leaden weight. I was trapped, caught in a web of power and control that I couldn’t escape. But I wasn’t about to let Luca Romano break me.

No matter what he threw at me, I would survive this. I would find a way to repay the debt and regain my freedom. I would prove to him—and to myself—that I was more than just a pawn in his twisted game.

With a determined breath, I stood and left the dining room, my steps echoing through the empty hallways.

I may have been caged, but I still had my spirit. And I would fight to keep it, no matter the cost.

A sound outside halted my movement.