CHAPTER 5

ISABELLA'S POV

Wearing a plain white dress, I applied my lipstick and tilted my head  as I looked  at myself in the mirror. I still can't believe I lost myself after falling in love with Ryan Mitchell. What is so wrong with loving someone? Maybe the problem is loving someone who never deserved it. I loved Ryan with everything I had. That was my mistake. I showed him my loyalty. I gave him my endless love. He became too sure that I would never recover after my hardest fall. I need to prove him wrong, but it still hurts so badly.

Isabella, how much longer are you going to keep us waiting?" Damian's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I pressed my lips together and let out a deep breath. That cousin of mine can be so hot tempered and impatient 

"I'm coming!" I replied as I grabbed my purse. Aunt Evelyn had invited us over for dinner. I think this is her way of helping me heal. Honestly, I'm grateful to have her and my cousins by my side.

Damian's grumpy expression and Dominic’s cheerful smile welcomed me. Damon was the one who reached out his hand when I got to the last  stairs. I smiled softly at him. "Thanks."

He simply nodded before releasing my hand. Just like Dominic, I know Damon and Damian still care about me. They used to treat me like a princess when we were younger. It is no longer the same now but I know they still look out for me.

Isabella, sweetheart." Aunt Evelyn pressed a kiss to my cheek. "You look absolutely beautiful. We’ll always be here for you, alright? Never forget that.

I smiled warmly at her before we all headed out together. Damian took the driver’s seat while Damon sat beside him in front. I noticed Dominic giving me a playful wink. He sat at the back while Aunt Evelyn and I stayed in the middle row.

"So, what made you suddenly arrange this dinner, dear mother?" Dominic asked teasingly.

I chuckled softly when Aunt Evelyn lightly smacked Dominic on the head. "Behave yourself, Dominic.”

I giggled and poked my tongue out playfully. Dominic rolled his eyes at me again. I merely shook my head and waited calmly. The car came to a stop in front of a luxurious restaurant. I turned toward Aunt Evelyn, and she smiled before wrapping her arm around mine. She led me into the restaurant with her.

I slowed my pace when I saw a middle-aged gentleman greeting Aunt Evelyn fondly. My eyes shifted to Dominic, then Damon, and lastly Damian. I knew about Aunt Evelyn’s past. Men had constantly hurt her feelings. It was definitely the reason my cousins disliked every man who attempted to woo her.

"Mom!" It was—

Aunt Evelyn faced us. A subtle sadness lingered in her eyes as she slowly gave a small smile. “Can we take a seat first, kids? I want you to meet someone.

Damian immediately shook his head. “I’m leaving.

“Damian!”

Damon exhaled and sat down on the chair. I turned to Dominic, who clenched his jaw and forced himself to sit. I bit my lip nervously and walked over to the man who had welcomed Aunt Evelyn. I smiled at him.“Hi, I’m Isabella… Aunt Evelyn’s niece.

He smiled warmly and shook my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Isabella. I’ve heard plenty about you from your  Aunt Evelyn. My name is Ethan Vale.

I grinned back and gave a small nod. I held onto Aunt Evelyn’s hand as we sat down together.

I’m Ethan Vale. I know you don’t like me because of your mother—”

“Good that you know,” Dominic interrupted.

Dominic!” Aunt Evelyn begged. He exhaled deeply and looked away from us.

“Let’s settle this after dinner. Let’s just order first,” Aunt Evelyn insisted, and I quietly agreed.

Ethan was about to signal a waiter when Dominic pushed back his chair and got up, clearly furious.

“Dominic, sit,” Aunt Evelyn ordered angrily.

He scoffed bitterly. “My appetite’s gone, Mom. Call me when you’re done and ready to go home.”

Dominic walked out, leaving me completely stunned. He had never been that rude to anyone before. I felt like his dislike for Aunt Evelyn’s suitors had only grown stronger over the years.

I turned to Ethan and Aunt Evelyn with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I’ll go after him.”

Aunt Evelyn nodded, so I faced Ethan again. “I hope we get to have dinner together another time. It was nice meeting you, Ethan.”

I quickly followed Dominic. I was biting my lip while glancing around when someone suddenly pulled me into a dark corner.

Who are you, huh!” I tried to fight back, but the person holding me was  too strong. My struggles intensified the moment I caught a familiar fragrance. A man’s perfume… one I knew very well, because I was the one who bought it for him.

Tears slowly formed at the edges of my eyes.

What does he want this time?

“You still remember my fragrance, huh? It’s the cologne you gave me,” he murmured  to  my ear, pinning me against the wall with his body.

I drew in a breath and shot him an angry look. My heart raced with both irritation and nervousness. Oh God… he still has that effect on me.

He smirked, watching me closely. “Hey, darling. It’s been a while. What are you doing here? You seeing someone now?”

I shoved him, but he didn’t budge an inch. He glanced at my hand on his chest, then glanced into my eyes. Like I had been burned, I snatched my hand back. He bit his lower lip and flicked his gaze briefly to my lips. I clenched my teeth. What a jerk!

“I have a proposal for you, darling.”

“Don’t you dare call me that!

He chuckled softly. “Alright, then what should I call you? Honey? darling? sweetheart? Baby?Love?

I covered my ears, overwhelmed. “Enough! Just stop, Ryan! I don’t want to hear a word from you!”

The divorce will be finalized if you agree to give me the baby, Isabella.”

I stared at him in shock, completely speechless. I can’t believe this… How many times does he intend to disappoint me in this lifetime? Why does he keep giving me more reasons to resent him? I just want to move on and live in peace, but he refuses to let me have that.

“Come on, Isabella. I’ll give you all  the properties…”

I turned away, ready to walk off, when he suddenly caught my wrist. He held it so tightly I gasped in pain. My injured wrist flared up whenever pressure was applied.

“ISABELLA!” I heard a familiar shout, followed by angry curses. Everything happened in a blur. I only realized Dominic had already started hitting Ryan, and Ryan was hitting him back just as hard.

“Dominic!” I cried, trying to pull them apart, but then I felt something run down my legs. I looked down in fear and saw blood under my legs.

No… please, my baby!