Chapter one: The bridal shower

Isabella’s POV...........

Today was perfect—at least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I sipped on my third glass of champagne.

My bridal shower was everything I’d imagined and more. The hotel suite was lavish, the kind of place that only the ultra-rich could reserve for a weekend celebration. Plush white couches, velvet cushions, sparkling chandeliers, and rose petals strewn across the marble floors made me feel like a princess—or at least like the bride-to-be I was supposed to be.

Aurora, Vivienne, and Valentina, my three best friends, were already sprawled on the lounge with oversized sunglasses, laughing so loud I worried the entire hotel floor could hear them. I couldn’t help smiling at them. These girls had been with me through thick and thin, and tonight, they were determined to make sure I celebrated my last night of “freedom” in style.

“You look like a bride already, Bella,” Aurora said, waving her champagne flute at me. Her fiery red curls bounced as she spoke, and her emerald-green dress shimmered under the chandelier’s light. “I mean, look at you—white satin, flawless makeup, and that hair. Sebastian doesn’t even know how lucky he is.”

I rolled my eyes but felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Oh, please. I’ve been hearing that all week from my mother.” I swirled the drink in my glass. “Sebastian should just thank the universe I agreed to marry him.” I said sarcastically

Vivienne laughed so hard she almost dropped her glass. “Belle! Don’t be modest. You’ve practically been glowing since he proposed. I swear, the man hit the jackpot.” Her brunette curls were perfectly curled, even in the hotel suite chaos, and she gave me a wink that made me laugh despite my nerves.

Valentina, ever the dramatic one, gasped. “Ladies, let’s not forget the real reason we’re here! To celebrate our beautiful Isabella Monroe! Bride-to-be extraordinaire!” She raised her hands and clapped, and of course, Aurora and Vivienne joined in with an over-the-top cheer. I laughed, raising my glass to clink with them. The sound rang out like tiny bells, crisp and celebratory, and for a moment, I felt pure joy. My friends were right—I deserved this.

It wasn’t all champagne and giggles, of course. Somewhere under my excitement, there was a nervous flutter that wouldn’t leave. Tomorrow, I was supposed to be walking down the aisle, marrying the love of my life, Sebastian. My heart raced at the thought, but not with fear of love. It was more like… anticipation, excitement, and maybe a pinch of uncertainty. Nothing alarming, just that thrill before a big leap. But tonight wasn’t for thinking about tomorrow—it was for enjoying my last night as a miss__ aurora would say and that’s exactly what I intended to do.

By the time the last tray of drinks disappeared, and the champagne bottles were empty, we decided it was time to hit the club. My friends were practically bouncing in their heels, and I had to laugh at how ridiculous they looked, high-fashion dresses, kitten heels and hair styled to perfection. I shook my head, grabbing my clutch. “Fine. But if I fall and break my ankle, I swear it’s on you three.”

Aurora winked. “Trust me, Belle, tonight you’re untouchable. And besides, Sebastian better watch out if he dares show up.” She twirled her champagne flute like a wand, and I laughed again, shaking my head.

The drive to the club was a blur of laughter, loud music spilling from our open sunroof, and the occasional squeal from Valentina when a song from Harry styles she liked came on. I wasn’t much of a club person, not usually, but tonight felt different. Tonight, everything felt exciting. Free. Alive.

We were dancing and having fun in the club.

And then Sebastian showed up.

I knew he would. He always showed up when I least expected it. My fiancé—tall, handsome, perfectly polished, the kind of man everyone assumed was flawless but who I knew had flaws I adored—walked into the club with that confident stride, suit tailored like it was made for him personally hair slightly tousled in that “I just rolled out of a magazine” way, and that smile that always made me melt.

“Belle,” he said, crossing the dance floor toward me, taking my hand with gentle dominance. “You clean up nicely.”

I rolled my eyes but felt my chest tighten. “Thank you, Sebastian. And you… look like you just stepped out of a Bond movie.” I laughed, but his eyes glimmered with amusement, that magnetic pull he always seemed to have on me.

“May I have this dance?“ He asked

“No my fiance wouldn't like that”

He chuckled and we danced, our bodies joining together in a slow and sensuous manner.

“Heyyy today is ladies night” Valentina drawled,

Sebastian laughed

“I'm sorry ladies I'll leave you to it" he said and kissed my temple.

“Be back early, I'll see you in the hotel room” Sebastian said

I nodded and hugged him, he left and Valentina handed me a drink and I took it all in one go.

I felt my hair whipping around, my dress hugging me in all the right places, and I couldn’t stop smiling. My friends were cheering at the sidelines, raising drinks, shouting encouragements that I enjoyed.

For a while, I forgot the wedding jitters. The stress. The expectations. I just… existed in the moment, and for a split second, everything felt perfect.

One after the other, cocktails and champagne glasses passed, laughter louder, movement more erratic. Aurora insisted I try a new cocktail, Vivienne forced me to toast to every random thought that popped into our heads, and Valentina—well, she was the most daring, pulling me onto the dance floor with no regard for my balance. on these heels.

The lights pulsed, music thumping through my chest, and I felt it—the warm buzz of alcohol, the sudden lightness in my body. I laughed so hard I almost cried, spinning around the dance floor with my friends, ignoring the occasional stares of the people at the club.

Somewhere between the fourth and fifth drink, I stopped counting. My limbs were heavy, my head spinning, and yet, the laughter wouldn’t stop. Aurora leaned against me, giggling, while Vivienne attempted to teach me a ridiculous new dance move. Valentina was shouting something about taking selfies, and honestly, I couldn’t even form words anymore.

The last thing I remember clearly was stumbling toward a velvet couch, Valentina holding my arm like I was a baby, laughing hysterically. My vision blurred with the club’s multicolored lights, and I felt myself tipping over as Vivienne shouted, “Belle! Don’t fall!”

Then darkness.

***

I woke up to sunlight hurting my eyes I groaned, my head pounding, the taste of champagne still clinging to my tongue.

My body felt… strange. Sore, achy in places and I felt very tired, I looked around

Blinking a few times, I realized… I wasn’t in the club anymore. Or my hotel suite. Or anywhere familiar.

I was in a bed, large, plush, and very soft. The sheets were white, and I looked round and looked down on myself.

I was naked..

My eyes widened and that’s when I noticed him.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Tattoos peeking all over his naked back. Dark hair falling slightly over his forehead, His eyes were closed.

His hands looked like they could crush a man—or hold a woman like me completely in their power.

I froze. My mind stuttered, trying to comprehend what had happened. The last thing I remembered was the club… laughter… dancing… Sebastian leaving…

And now I was here.

Sore. naked

“What the fuck?“ I said

The man opened his eyes immediately, bright blue eyes stared into mine and I did the only logical thing I could do

I screamed

***