THREE

I reached the mansion at almost eight in the morning. I walked into the breakfast gathering, and to my surprise, everyone welcomed me warmly.

“Mom.” I ignored everyone and hugged my mom happily. After years, I was able to look at her face.

Suddenly, my uncle signaled my mom to sit down. We were both surprised. For the first time in so many years, he was asking my mom to join the breakfast table with the whole family.

"Sit. I have to talk to you very importantly." He said in a very polite manner.

"Mom, sit down." I quickly led her to sit.

"You too sit down, Isabella." he said affectionately, and I reluctantly sat beside my mother, facing Alexander. It was the first time I was about to sit in the same place as Alexander and share a meal, a peculiar feeling of equality washing over me.

"Mom, please tell us." Uncle said to my grandmother. I looked at my mom; she was very surprised like me. What do they want to talk to us about? From when do we become so important to them?

“Isabella is my granddaughter. Now she has stepped on the threshold of youth.” She began.

"Since when did they start worrying about me so much?" I thought, looking at the old lady.

"That's why I was thinking about her marriage. We do it here in our community. But because of your background, there is no good relationship with any community. So I thought that Alexander was getting married to Isabella.” She finished looking at me. I couldn't believe my ears. Was this my grandmother's idea or an atomic bomb? Everyone knew how Alexander treated me in the Harrison Mansion. He hated me. Everyone hated me. This shock was so intense that my voice stuck in my throat.

"But mother. Alexander is engaged to my niece." Alex's mom was the first one who protested.

I stared at Alexander. He was completely engrossed in his food, as if he hadn't heard a word. A man who thinks it is dirty, even to my hand, has even looked at me with disdain since childhood. How can he be so careless about this proposal?

"Yes, I know. I had convinced Alexander with great difficulty to marry Isabella. Anyway, I made a decision that Isabella will live in this mansion from now on.” My grandmother’s words hit me like a sharp knife. How can she decide about my life?

"Thank you very much for your concern. But there is no need. I don’t know why you are doing this, but let me tell you one thing: that I am engaged to you and Eric and I are getting married soon. I'm sorry, Mom, I am telling you like this, but you didn't give me a chance to explain."

"Lower your voice, first, and sit back. Grandmother hasn't finished," Alexander interrupted me in a cold and icy tone.

"Isabella, we do not marry outside the family. You should understand this very well."

"I don't care. Until today, when did you people consider me and my mother as a part of this family?" I spoke bluntly while gritting my teeth. I can’t bear that they made a decision about my life and now are trying to impose it on me.

"Don't test our patience. Sit back quietly." Amelia ‘Alexander’s mom’ stared at me with a ravenous look.

"No. I don't want to sit with selfish people like you." I was in a rage. Now I understood why they invited me there with so much love. Harrison’s were selfish and crazy, they can’t be changed.

"Isabella, you are my granddaughter. The blood of this family is in your veins. You cannot marry outside the family," my grandmother emphasized. "Your wedding is tomorrow to Alexander, and there's no further discussion.” My grandmother announced sternly this time.

"I will never marry him, even if it costs me my life," I looked at Alexander and said in a strong voice. He simply smiled in response, relishing my helplessness. Harry was just a silent spectator the entire time.

"Bella, Dear, if Alexander has agreed, why won't you? You'll hold the position of Alexander's first wife. Then what's the problem?" my mother ventured into my room.

"First wife? Mom, don't you understand what game these people are playing? They want to imprison me forever in this house. They want to trap me here forever, making me more than a servant. And Alexander makes all the decisions made in the house, so how did the grandmother make this decision? There is something they are hiding, mom. Alexander is a wicked person who wants to rob me of my happiness and freedom. I love Eric, Mom. I can't even imagine marrying anyone else," I explained, tears streaming down my face.

I had no feelings in my heart except hatred for Alexander. The idea of marriage was burning, tormenting me.

"Mom, I am going to call Eric. He will take me back from here." I quickly stood up with the intention of picking up the cell from the side table. I had not even walked two steps yet, when I heard.

"If you really love Eric, don't make the mistake of including him in all of these things. These people would kill him. You don't know the power of Alexander Harrison yet." There was a fear and warning in her tone.

"You are scaring me with Alexander?" I turned towards her in surprise. It was clear that my mom was scared of him.

"No. I'm just explaining. Alexander Harrison was a very powerful business tycoon and a politician. A fight with him can't be good for you in any case. If Alexander wants to marry you, then nobody can stop him. It is better for you to give up. Don’t fight with him. He is dangerous, believe me, my dear.’  She patted my cheek lovingly while trying to convince me.

I could not believe my ears.

"Mom, I can't believe it. He is forcefully marrying me so that he can torture me for the rest of my life in this house and you are teaching me how to love. What happened to you? Why are you taking his side?”

"I am a mother, dear. I am afraid. Your honor is the most important thing to me. If he is marrying you in front of the whole family, then it is much better. Are you not aware of his stubbornness?” She caressed my hair. There was concern evident in her eyes.

"I am not afraid of him," I said in a fearless manner.

"But I'm afraid. Have mercy on me. If he does something wrong with you, where will I go? Who will I ask for help? Please understand, Bella. He is very powerful. I can't protect you from him. Please, don’t make it difficult.” My mother started crying and I held my head. I felt it was pointless to talk to her.

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