LOGINBella’s POVMaria had me sit on the edge of the examination bed while she wrapped the cuff around my arm. The room smelled of antiseptic and the lavender soap she kept by the sink."Your blood pressure is just fine," she said, reading the numbers. "But how are you? How have you been feeling?""Much better." I nodded."No dizziness? No sickness this morning?"I managed a smile. "A little. It passes."She nodded and turned to the cabinet, then set a small paper cup with two pills and a glass of water in my hand. "Swallow these. They're good for you and the baby."The baby. It felt so weird to hear that.I swallowed them dry and handed the cup back. Then I downed the glass of water. For a moment, I just sat there, listening to my own breathing. A tiny human, and I still hadn't said a word to the man who'd helped make it.Maria watched me from across the room. She'd been Zayden's nurse for years, and she had a way of looking at people that made lying feel like a waste of effort."Have you
Zayden's POVBella pressed the speaker button, and Hiram's voice filled the dark."Well?" It was soft and unhurried, the voice I'd have known anywhere. "You said you wanted to talk, Isabella. So talk."My wife's fingers held the phone steady. Mine weren't. I curled my hand into the sheet and held on."I got your present," she said. "The one you sent to my home.""Wonderful." I could hear the smile. "I hope you liked it. It took a lot of effort.”"Why would I like it?" She shook her head. “It was…gruesome.”"Because he treated you like garbage, didn't he?” He paused, almost gentle. "I got you justice, Bella. Something your husband couldn't give you."My brow rose before I could stop it. Bella's eyes cut to me, sharp, and she shook her head once. Don't. I clenched my jaw and swallowed every word I wanted to say."Micah isn't innocent," she said evenly. "I know that. But he didn't deserve what you did to him."Hiram exhaled, and then he laughed, low and amused. "Cut the crap, Bella. You
Bella's POVI didn't share a bed with Zayden. I couldn't. I knew he was pissed at me, but at the same time, the feelings were mutual.He didn't come to look for me or even ask where I was, and that is when I knew the thought of the plan had upset him so much that I wasn't even enough for him to let go of his pride.But that didn't matter; I was going ahead with the plan whether or not he approved. I wasn't just doing it for the thrill of it. He was wrong; this was my battle as much as anyone else, so I was going to do whatever it takes to save myself and my baby – our baby.The next morning, I called a meeting with every single person who was present the previous day. Except for Lucia; she had gone back home."Why have you gathered us all here, Bella?" Tomás asked, slightly frustrated. "I only see Zayden based on appointments or in emergencies, and it seems like none of that is the case here."I didn't say anything at first, then I exhaled slowly."I called you all here today to let y
Bella's POVThe door shut so quietly that it was worse than a slam.Nobody moved. The echo of his voice still hung in the room, and under it I could hear my own heartbeat, loud and fast. My hand had found its way to my stomach somewhere between use Bella as bait and I won't discuss it. I made myself lower it.Then Rafael exhaled. "Well, that went how I expected.""He'll come around," my father said, adjusting his cuff. "He always does, once he's had time to think. We should plan for when he does. If we start with preparing the men—""Stop." My voice came out quieter than I meant. But the room heard it.My father paused. They all turned, and I realised, with a strange, cold clarity, that this was the first time in an hour anyone had looked at me."Stop," I said again. "All of you.""Bella," Tomás began gently."No." I stood. My legs felt unsteady, but my voice didn't shake. "I've been sitting here for an hour. You've talked about me, argued about me, and passed me back and forth like a
Zayden’s POV“What did you just say?” I asked softly, to make sure I heard him right. He lifted his hands.“Zayden, calm down. Just hear me out.”“Hear you out?”“Let me explain the plan before you decide it’s a terrible idea,” Tomás said.“You’ve just suggested using my wife as bait, and you want me to calm down?”“That’s exactly why I’m asking you to listen.” He said firmly now. I pushed my chair back slightly.Tomás continued before I could speak.“Hiram wants Bella. That’s not speculation anymore. He’s threatened her, he’s used Micah to get to her, and he’s made it clear that he intends to keep coming after her. If we make him believe he has a chance to get what he wants, we could draw him out.”I felt Bella flinch beside me.“And then what?” I asked coldly.“We set a trap. We choose the location, or better yet — let him. So he can think he has control. We then control the surroundings, and position our men where they can intercept him. He thinks he’s getting close to Bella, but
Zayden’s POVBy the time I opened my eyes, the sun was already beginning to set.Bella was lying beside me, curled up against my side with one leg thrown over mine. Her hair was scattered across the pillow, and she had one hand resting on my chest.I stayed still for a moment, watching her.For once, she looked peaceful.I had spent most of the afternoon dealing with matters that needed my attention, and apparently, my body had decided it was done for the day.I wasn’t complaining.Having Bella beside me was one of the few things that made the chaos bearable.She stirred, lifting her head slightly. “You’re awake.”“Yeah.” I smiled. "What time is it?" she asked."Almost seven." I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Though I need to get up soon.”“Why?” “I'm calling a meeting tonight. Everyone's going to be there." I shrugged. She turned to look at me. "What's it about?""Hiram. Finding a way to trap him."She sat up now. “I want to be there."I stopped with my hand on her
Bella’s POVI stood at my bedroom window for what felt like hours, watching the dark driveway like a prisoner waiting for parole.I’d chosen the most modest thing I could find: a long red silk dress that covered everything, I twisted my hair into a sleek bun, and the diamonds in my ears screamed “M
Bella’s POV I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, feeling the weight of my father’s words crush me over and over again. Ten days. Ten fucking days to become Matteo Moretti’s property. Ten days to lose my freedom, my future, my name. He kept acting like this was normal—like sellin
Bella’s POVI woke to the sound of my bedroom door creaking open. Rosa slipped in carrying a garment bag over one arm and a silver tray of cosmetics in the other. The smell of fresh espresso and warm cornetti followed her, but my stomach still turned.“Buongiorno, mija,” she whispered, eyes soft w
Bella’s POV The flight back to Venice dragged like a death sentence, but I didn’t sleep. I kept picturing my mother’s arms around me the second we landed. She was the only one who never obeyed Dad’s order to cut me off completely. Secret bank transfers. Burner phones at 2 a.m. just to hear







