One

Chapter 1.

10 Years Earlier.

“Isabella!!!” a man called. Twelve year old Isabella dropped her Barbie dolls at the call of her father. Excited she ran down the stairs she was told that she would meet her new mother today.

She lost her mother at a very young age that she hardly remembers how she looks like. All she knows is that she has her mother’s green eyes from pictures.

“Coming dad!” she yelled back as she rushed down the stairs.

She stopped when she saw a haughty woman standing next to her father speaking quietly. A little girl, probably the same age as her was standing next to the woman. She had the same haughty look as the woman.

“This is my daughter, Isabella.” Her father said pulling her closer to him. She stared up at the woman and gave a small smile.

The woman sneered but quickly covered it up with an overly fake smile. If Isabella wasn’t watching her so intensely she would have missed it.

“Hello Isabella, I’ll be your new mother and my daughter Sandra will be your new sister.” She said so sweetly pushing her daughter forward.

Her father smiled happy they were getting along.

“I’ll leave you all to talk and get to know each other.” Father said as he led them to the living room.

 Immediately he left the smile on her new step mothers face dropped.

Isabella approached Sandra to ask her if she likes playing with dolls but her new step mother gripped her arm and forcefully pulled her away from her daughter.

“Know your place you little bitch.” She harshly sneered to her face. Isabella stared in shock unable to speak.

“But-but I thought you were g-going to be my new-new mother.” Isabella lips trembled as she spoke. She didn’t want to cry.

Her step mother let out a laugh and her daughter joined her. The looked cruel. “I’ll never be your mother.” Her step mother said.

When the first drop of tears fell from her eyes fell from her eyes and landed on the carpet she couldn’t control the rest. Her father came back to the room and looked surprised to see her crying.

“Oh she fell over that’s why she’s crying.” Her step mother brushed it off. Her father didn’t ask any more questions as if eager to please her.

From that day, Isabella knew her family will never be the same again. Her perfect imagination of what growing up should look like was tainted by the evil and sinister presence of her step mother.

10 years later.

Isabella is in her final year in college which she got in on scholarship studying literature. She dreams of becoming a writer someday. Her step sister was unable to get into any college and somehow that’s her fault according to her step mother. She rarely visits the prison she calls home and spends most of her time in school. Not like anyone cares.

Ring ring ring. The phone vibrated on the bed. Isabella dropped the book she was reading; Shakespeare; and looked at the caller I.D. A smile immediately appeared on her face.

It was William Smith. The love of her life. They meet as freshmen in the university and have been together ever since. He has been her anchor throughout school. She confines in him about the happenings in her family and he gives her support and love. She could not ask for better man.

“Isabella you’re still on for tonight right?” he asked immediately she clicks answer.

They had agreed to go on a date tonight since they have been so busy as final years and unable to meet.

“Of course!” she says twirling a lock of her auburn hair.

“Okay, I didn’t want you to forget about it.” William said. He sounded nervous. Isabella smiled.

“I’ll never forget about the date we haven’t seen each other properly in months.”

The talked some more before ending the call. When Isabella checked the time it was almost time so she hurriedly changed into an evening gown since William was taking them to a fancy restaurant.

A knock sounded on her door. She opened it, William stood there with a bouquet of red roses.

“They are beautiful. Thank you.” Isabella said will taking the roses and placing them in a vase filled with water. As they arrived in the restaurant, she noticed it was empty and dark. Confused she looked beside her and William was gone.

Suddenly little lights started to light up and she was able to see William in front of her on his knees. A gasp left her lips as tears filled her eyes.

“You are the most extraordinary woman in the world, would you do I the honour and marry me?” William said holding out an emerald coloured ring.

Tears clogged her throats so Isabella just nodded her head aggressively and held out her hand. He slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her softly.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man on earth.” He said.

Isabella wanted to tell him that he made her the happiest woman on earth nut she was completely overwhelmed by emotions.

A month later.

William sat in the living room next to Isabella holding her hand tightly.

“We are getting married.” Isabella said to her father ignoring the presence of her step mother and sister in the room. She won’t let them ruin this important moment for her.

There was a moment of silence before her father broke into one of his rare smiles. It made her feel like a kid again. It had been so long since her father smiled like that to her.

“Congratulations to the both of you. I’m so proud of you.” He said standing up to shake Williams hand and hug Isabella.

Her step mother couldn’t hide the envy on her face. She hated the fact that her step daughter was getting any attention. She looked over to her daughter who has done nothing but rot at home these past few years. 

Then looked at her step daughter who has brought the son of a wealthy family to marry. Wealthier than they were. She wanted it for her daughter not Isabella. A plan set in her mind and she smirked.

The wedding plans set in motion and time sped faster. It was finally a day to her wedding. Of course according to traditions the bride and the groom are not the see each other so when she gets a text from William asking her to meet her in a fancy restaurant she is confused.

‘Are you sure we can meet.’

She texts him

‘No one will know I haven’t seen you all week and I miss you’ He replies.

Isabella smiles.

‘Okay I’m on my way’

She gets ready and leaves to meet William.

A figure watches from the balcony as she leaves the house with a dark and sinister