Chapter 7

***

Back at Isabella ’s home, the atmosphere was anything but calm. The grand estate that had once felt comfortable and secure now had only chaos all over. Isabella ’s father stormed through the huge halls, his face flushed with rage. 

“Where is she?” he shouted, slamming his hand against a table, causing a crystal vase to topple over and shatter on the floor. 

“Sir, we are searching everywhere,” one of the guards said, his voice trembling slightly. “We haven’t found her yet.”

“Not good enough! She needs to be found now!” Isabella ’s father yelled, his eyes flashing with fury. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied, bowing his head. “We’ll keep looking.”

Isabella ’s father paced back and forth, frustration boiling over. “This is unacceptable! She can’t just run off like this! What does she think she’s doing?”

“Sir, she’s—” the guard began, but he was quickly cut off.

“Do not make excuses for her!” he shouted, pointing a finger angrily. “I don’t care what she thinks! She belongs here, under my control!”

“We’re doing everything we can to locate her,” another guard piped up, trying to soothe the tension. “We’ll find her.”

“Make it happen!” Isabella ’s father barked, turning away from them. “And if you don’t, I will not hesitate to hold you responsible.”

He grabbed a glass from the nearby table, throwing it against the wall with a crash. “This is all Sergei’s fault! If he had kept her in line, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“Now, sir…” the first guard started again, but Isabella ’s father shot him a glare that silenced him instantly.

“Call Sergei!” he demanded, pointing a finger. “I want him on the phone right now! Get me Sergei!”

“Yes, sir,” the guard replied, hurriedly getting his phone out and dialing.

Isabella ’s father paced angrily as he waited for Sergei to pick up. “This is not my problem! This is your fault!” he hissed under his breath, his anger settling heavier on his shoulders. 

When Sergei finally answered, the father wasted no time. “Sergei! Where is my daughter?” he barked, his voice thick with anger.

“Sir, we’re looking for her. We haven’t found a trace yet,” Sergei said, sounding stoic. His face betraying absolutely nothing. 

“Are you kidding me? You haven’t found her?” Isabella ’s father shouted, his temper flaring. “I want her located at all costs!”

“I promise you, we’re doing everything possible. I can send more people if—” Sergei started to say, but was cut off.

“That’s not good enough! I expect results!” Isabella ’s father growled. “If you don’t find her, I will personally ensure you regret it.”

“Sir, I assure you, we are—” Sergei tried to reason, but the father’s voice thundered through the phone line.

“Do you think I care about your assurances? You need to find her now!” he screamed.

“I understand. I’ll send more guards and—” 

“Do whatever it takes!” Isabella ’s father interrupted, eyes blazing with fury. “You need to remind her who is in control! She cannot just defy me!”

“Yes, sir. I’ll mobilize everyone,” Sergei responded quickly, clearly trying to avoid angering him further.

“You better!” Isabella ’s father said, his voice dropping to a threatening whisper. “If I find out you failed, I will ruin you, do you understand?”

“Loud and clear, sir,” Sergei said, his voice tight.

With that, Isabella ’s father hung up the phone, seething with rage. He walked over to a large window, staring out into the sprawling grounds, frustration etched across his face. “I will not let her get away with this,” he muttered to himself. “She thinks she can push me around? Not a chance!”

He turned to face the guards, who stood awaiting his orders. “I want everyone on high alert. She must be found. I don’t care if it takes all day or all night. She is my daughter, and she will understand that she cannot run away from me!”

“Yes, sir!” They nodded in unison, eager to not incur his wrath further. 

“And increase the patrols around the area! She couldn’t have gone far!” his face contorted in anger as he spoke, a vein bulging at his temple.

“Understood, sir,” one of the guards replied, jotting down the order.

Isabella 's father stormed toward the exit, in anger. “I’ll make sure she knows her place,” he declared, his fists clenched. “She needs to learn that she is not as free as she thinks she is.”

As he exited the hallway, the guards exchanged uneasy glances. “We better find her quickly,” one of them whispered. “I don’t want to be here if he loses it again.”

“Yeah, we can’t let him down,” another guard nodded. “We have to track her down fast.”

****

Isabella ’s POV

 I found myself in back home, the rooms dimly lit. It felt strangely familiar yet heavy with tension. 

“What the fuck is going on? Did I pass out and father's people found me? “

I felt my heart leap to my throat at the mere thought and suddenly, my father appeared before me, his face twisted in anger. “What were you thinking, Isabella ?” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.

“N–nothing sir.”

He stormed towards me and I flinched in fear. I hate this, I hate him. How could he think I was some property for him to sell off? I am his kid for fuck sake! 

“How dare you speak?!”

“I was just trying—I just ” I replied, my heart racing. “You can’t control me forever!”

“Control you?” he said, his eyes blazing. “You think you can just run away and leave me? You're grounded for this!”

“No! Please, let me go!” I begged, feeling desperation creeping in. I tried to run, but the walls seemed to close in around me. I couldn't escape.

“Grounded? What does that even mean?” I shouted, feeling panic rising. “You can’t do this to me!”

But he lunged at me, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face. “You will learn your place!” he yelled, filled with rage.

I stumbled back, shocked and frightened. “No! Please, you’re hurting me!” I screamed, terror flooding my heart. 

“Stay here! You’re not allowed to leave this house again!” he thundered, and with a swift motion, he locked the door behind him. The sound of the lock clicking felt like a weight on my chest. 

“Let me out!” I screamed, banging on the door. “I won’t stay here! This isn’t fair!”

I felt trapped, panic swirling around me as I pounded on the door with all my strength. “Dad! Open the door!” I cried, my voice hoarse.

The dark shadows began creeping into my vision. I felt completely alone, suffocated by fear. “Please, stop this!” I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks.

Suddenly, I jolted awake, heart racing and breathless. The harsh reality struck me as I looked around my room, still feeling a lingering sense of dread. My hands trembled as I pushed myself up, trying to shake off what was left of the nightmare.

“Just a dream,” I told myself, closing my eyes for a moment to catch my breath.

But then I looked up and froze. Standing at the foot of my bed was Sebastian . 

“What the fuck?!”

“Isabella ,” he said gently, concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

“What are you doing here?” I gasped, a mix of surprise and confusion washing over me as I sat up straight.