Isabella's body trembled, not from fear this time, but from pure anger. How dare she? Her father was the only person who had ever truly loved her. Jessica was spouting lies, twisting the truth for her own gain, and Isabella couldn't bear it. She wanted to scream, to throw something, to make Jessica stop spewing such venomous nonsense.
Her father wasn't the monster Jessica was making him out to be. He had protected her, loved her, and sacrificed everything to keep her safe. The memories of her childhood, those moments of love, laughter, and warmth came flooding back. And now, this woman, this so-called mother, was trying to destroy all of that with her poisonous words.
Isabella clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to contain the rage boiling within her. She couldn't let them see how much Jessica's lies were affecting her, couldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing they had gotten under her skin. But every fiber of her being was screaming to defend her father's honor.
Her chest heaved with heavy breaths, her brown eyes blazing with anger as she shot a piercing glare at Jessica.
"You're lying," Isabella snapped, pushing herself up from the bed. Her deer-like brown eyes were sharp and fierce, blazing with a strength Jessica had never seen before. "Don't you dare say another word about my father. Or I swear, I'll show you exactly what I can do." Her voice was strong, trembling slightly with the intensity of her anger. "I'll hack your life until there's nothing left for you to hold onto. No one speaks about my father or my grandma like that!"
Jessica's face twisted with irritation, clearly not used to being challenged, especially by the girl she saw as nothing more than a pawn in her plans. Her fake gentleness faded, replaced by a coldness as she narrowed her eyes at Isabella.
"Is that how you talk to your mother?" Sam said coldly, his arm wrapping protectively around Jessica as he stood beside her. His eyes narrowed, voice sharp. "Is that all your so-called father taught you?"
Isabella's fists clenched again, glaring at both of them with no fear left in her voice. "I don't need to tell you what my father taught me," she snapped. "But I'll tell you this he never lied, never manipulated, and never sold me like you two are doing right now."
Jessica gasped softly, as if offended, her hand pressing dramatically to her chest. "Stop it, baby!" she cried. "He's now your father, too! Sam is your family now."
"We all know how bad your father was," she added with a long, fake sigh, her voice lowering to that guilt-laced softness she had perfected. "And we know the truth… about how your uncle was abusing you." Her gaze flicked to Isabella knowingly, watching every change of emotion on the girl's face. "You don't have to pretend anymore, sweetie. You're safe now. I won't let him touch you ever again."
Isabella flinched, just for a second. The fear of her uncle still lingered deep in her bones. And Jessica saw it—oh, she saw it. A small smirk almost curved her lips, but she masked it with another look of fake concern.
"You see?" Jessica whispered softly, walking toward her. "You may hate me, but I'm still your mother. And I'm trying to protect you."
"But," she continued, straightening up again, "you have to marry Mr. Moretti. Your sister ran away, and we can't let our reputation fall apart..."
Sam stepped forward with a businessman's smile. "Don't worry, kid. Mr. Moretti's rich. Respected. Powerful. He'll take care of you. You'll live like a queen. You won't have to worry about anything ever again."
Isabella's heart beat loudly in her chest, but not from comfort...no, it was dread. They were cornering her, sweet-talking her, trying to make it all sound like a blessing. But all she felt was the tightening of invisible chains.
"Will you marry him… right?" Jessica asked softly, crouching down just enough to look Isabella in the eyes. "We'll protect you from your uncle… you don't have to live in fear anymore."
But to Isabella, her voice no longer sounded human. It felt like it was dragging through molasses, every word stretching like a slow-motion echo, dark and heavy… like something pulling her deeper into a nightmare.
Your uncle…
The moment that word left Jessica's mouth, Isabella's chest tightened. Her breath caught. That word alone had power over her. Images of broken bottles, shouted threats, and cruel, drunken stares flashed in her mind. She couldn't go back to that. Not again.
She gulped, her lips parting slowly. Her eyes stared blankly ahead, her body stiff with fear and confusion.
She nodded her head with difficulty.
Jessica smiled sweetly, already satisfied with the silence.
Then Sam stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Words," he said, his eyes locking onto her with quiet warning. "I want to hear it."
Isabella felt her throat close, but she forced the words out before they could choke her.
"Y-Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jessica beamed as if her plan was falling perfectly into place. Sam gave a satisfied nod.
But inside, Isabella was falling apart. Her voice said yes, but her heart screamed no.