failed marriage

Sophia immediately stood up and rushed to call Lilian.

At that moment, Grandma walked into the sitting room with Isabella at her side. Her sharp eyes scanned the room.

“What is going on here?” she asked firmly.

Matteo quickly rose to his feet, trying to sound composed.

“He’s Lilian’s fiancé,” he said, motioning toward Riccardo. “He’s here for her hand in marriage.”

Grandma’s expression turned cold as she stared at him.

“Lilian’s fiancé? Is that so?”

She moved forward and sat down on the couch, while Isabella stood silently behind her, like a shield.

Matteo nodded, but his confidence wavered.

Grandma turned her attention to Riccardo.

“How well do you know Lilian?”

Riccardo froze. He had no answer—of course, this was his first time meeting her.

A few minutes later, Lilian entered with Sophia by her side. Without hesitation, she went straight to sit next to Grandma, clutching her hand tightly.

Grandma looked at her softly.

“Do you know this gentleman, Lilian?”

Matteo gave Lilian a warning look, subtle signals urging her to say yes. But Lilian raised her chin defiantly.

“I don’t know him, Grandma. And I do not want this marriage.”

Riccardo’s face darkened, his pride stung. His parents immediately stood, their voices sharp with anger.

“What insolence!” his father barked. He glared at Matteo.

“Did you invite us here only to have your daughter reject us?”

Before Matteo could answer, Grandma rose from her seat, her tone like thunder.

“Matteo! So you are giving away my granddaughter’s hand in marriage for business?”

Matteo tried to explain, stammering, “Mother, you don’t understand—”

But she cut him off with a glare.

Turning to Riccardo, she said firmly, “Listen, young man. My granddaughter cannot marry you—and she will not marry you.”

Lilian’s heart leapt with relief, a smile breaking across her face.

Grandma straightened her shoulders.

“You may leave the same way you came.”

The tension cracked like lightning. Matteo moved closer, lowering his voice as if to calm her. But before he could say another word, smack!—Grandma’s palm struck his cheek. The room went dead silent, everyone frozen in shock.

“Leave!” she barked at Riccardo and his family.

Humiliated, they left at once.

When the door shut, Grandma turned her wrath on Matteo and Vivienne.

“And you—are you even a mother?” she demanded of Vivienne. “You favor one daughter and treat the others as if they are nothing. Shame on you.”

Vivienne stood speechless, unable to defend herself.

Grandma then spoke with finality.

“I will be sending Isadora and Lilian abroad to study.”

Before she could finish, Lilian blurted out, “What about Isabella?”

Isabella turned quickly to her and whispered with a gentle smile, “Don’t worry, sissy. I’ll explain later.”

Grandma shook her head firmly.

“They will leave tomorrow. And you will not see them again to play with, ever.”

She took Lilian by the hand and walked out, Isabella following close behind. At the doorway, Isabella glanced back at Matteo, Vivienne, and Sophia—and gave them a smug, victorious smile.

The moment they were gone, Vivienne’s face twisted with rage. She turned to Matteo.

“This is Isabella’s doing. I’m sure of it.”

Sophia folded her arms, her eyes burning with spite.

“Then I’ll teach her a lesson myself. Since she’s not leaving with them, she’s mine to handle.”

With that, she walked towards her room.

They reached the hallway. Grandma squeezed Lilian’s hand and said, soft but firm, “Go pack your things, child. You leave tomorrow.”

Grandma turned and left them in the quiet corridor.

Lilian took a breath, then grabbed Isabella’s hand and pulled her into the nearest bedroom. Isadora sat on the bed, eyes glued to a small movie playing on a phone.

“What did you do?” Lilian asked, pausing the film and looking between them.

Isabella gave a small giggle, wiping the corner of her eye with her sleeve. “Just some fake tears and a little show,” she said, trying to make it sound light. “It worked.”

Lilian folded her arms and looked at Isabella, worry clear on her face. “Why aren’t you coming with us?”

Isabella’s smile tightened. She sat down on the edge of the bed and took Lilian’s hands in hers. “Lily,” she said, using the nickname only she used, “I want what is rightfully mine. If I go abroad, the uncle will keep everything. If I leave now, I lose my chance to take back what belongs to our family.”

Lilian swallowed hard. “But can you handle Mom, Dad, and Sophia by yourself?”

Isabella’s lips curled into a small, confident smile—half anger, half promise. “I’ll make them regret ever crossing me, sissy. Don’t worry about me. You go. Learn. Live. Study. Come back stronger.”

She squeezed Lilian’s hands. “And promise me one thing—take care of Isadora. Don’t let anyone bully her while she’s gone. Protect her like she’s your own. Understand?”

Lilian nodded, eyes shining. “I promise.”

Isadora, who had been listening, looked between them, confused and excited. “Wait—what’s going on? We’re leaving? For another country?”

Lilian laughed, a little breathless. “Yes, Isa. We’re going away to study. Grandma is sending us.”

Isadora’s face lit up. She jumped to her feet and hugged Lilian tight. “Really? Oh my God! I can’t believe it—new school, new people!”

The smile on Isadora’s face faded a little as she turned and looked at Isabella. “But why aren’t you coming? You could just leave the house behind and come with us. We could start over together.”

Isabella shook her head slowly. Her eyes were bright but tired. “I can’t,” she said quietly. “If I walk away now, they’ll keep everything. I have to stay and fight for what is ours. I’ll be here, working—prying the truth loose. I need you to learn and to be safe. That’s how we win.”

Isadora’s lower lip trembled. “That’s not fair. I don’t want you to stay and fight alone.”

Isabella pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. “I know. But this is how it has to be. Be brave for me, okay? And laugh, okay? Don’t be sad.”

Isadora sniffed and nodded, wiping her eyes. Lilian hugged them both, the three of them holding on for a long, quiet moment.