Captive Princess

Isabella stood at the bottom of the stairs in a simple white dress, the picture of fragile innocence.She spotted me, and a brilliant smile spread across her face. "You must be Sophia. I'm Isabella. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."I didn't answer, just stared down at her.Don Romano emerged from the living room. Seeing Isabella, a rare look of paternal affection crossed his features."Isabella, you must be tired from your journey. Have Sophia show you to your room.""Thank you, Uncle Romano," Isabella replied sweetly."Take Sophia's room. It gets the best light, perfect for your recovery," Don Romano announced.I turned to him. "My room?""From now on, it's Isabella's room. You can move to the third floor. There's an empty guest room up there."A cold laugh escaped my lips. "No, thanks."I went back upstairs and began to pack.Thirty minutes later, I was dragging my suitcase down the stairs.Don Romano saw my luggage and frowned. "Where do you think you're going?""I'm leaving,"

Once the party started, I realized just how attentive Vincent was to Isabella.He pulled out her chair, fetched her drinks, and even adjusted the strap of her dress when it slipped, his hand brushing her shoulder with a familiar ease.I had never received any of that.In the two years I was with Vincent, he had never done those things for me. I thought it was just his personality—cool and reserved, above such trivial gestures of affection.I was wrong.He just wasn't willing to do them for me.I nursed my champagne, listening to Isabella laugh and chat with other guests. She spoke of her recovery in Europe, of how much she missed New York. Every word was graceful and proper."Isabella is such a lovely girl," a woman next to me whispered to her friend. "The way Vincent looks after her, they're sure to end up together."My hand tightened around the stem of my glass."Alright, everyone, let's play a game!" the host announced, livening up the room. "Truth or Choice!"The big screen lit up

I woke from a doze to a sharp, stinging pain in my arm.Looking down, I saw my IV line had backed up with blood, a crimson line creeping steadily up the clear tube.I pressed the call button.A nurse bustled in and frowned at the IV. "Why is no one watching you? Where's your boyfriend?""He's not my boyfriend," I said calmly. "He had to leave for something important.""How long ago?" the nurse asked, skillfully changing the needle.I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was two in the morning. Vincent had left at seven in the evening. Seven hours ago."A long time ago."The nurse shook her head with a sigh. "That's how it is with these rich guys. They put on a good show, but they're never around when it counts."After she left, I couldn't get back to sleep.When morning came, I decided to go for a walk.Dragging my IV stand into the hallway, I overheard two nurses talking quietly."That girl in the VIP wing is so lucky. Her boyfriend booked the entire floor for her.""I heard he even f

Isabella's scream echoed through the backstage area.The staff froze in shock. Some started screaming in panic, others fumbled for their phones to call for an ambulance.I pulled the knife free and stood up straight."A Romano always repays their debts," I said, looking down at Isabella, who was writhing on the floor, clutching her bleeding hand and sobbing. "Remember that."I turned and walked away, the sounds of chaos fading behind me.My steps were steady as I headed for the exit, as if nothing had happened.Just as I reached the door, Vincent blocked my path.He was holding a blanket and a thermos, clearly having just returned.Seeing me, Vincent's face turned to stone."What did you do?" he demanded.I glanced at the thermos in his hand and gave a bitter, humorless smile. "You went to get medicine for her?""I asked you what you did!" Vincent's voice was colder now, sharper."She put my mother's necklace on a stray dog and called my mother a bitch," I looked him straight in the ey

Kneeling in front of the computer, staring at the damning video files, I took out my phone and dialed Don Romano's number."Father," I said, my voice thick with unshed tears."What is it? I thought you were disowning me," his voice was cold and surprised."I just have one question. Three years ago, did Vincent offer to discipline me?"There were a few seconds of telling silence on the other end of the line."How did you know?"I closed my eyes. "So it's true.""Vincent offered me a two-hundred-million-dollar port project in exchange for the chance to take you under his wing," Don Romano's voice was mercilessly pragmatic. "I didn't know how you'd offended him, but I figured a little education wouldn't hurt you. So I agreed."I hung up.The last sliver of hope I didn't even know I was holding onto was gone.Vincent got close to me, slept with me, controlled me—it was all for revenge. For Isabella.I started to laugh again. Quietly at first, then louder and louder, a hysterical sound that