CHAPTER THIRTEEN : THE FAMILY SHE LEFT BEHIND

Isabella barely slept that night.

Alessandro's words kept replaying in her mind. Her father had approached Victor, offered to sell information about the Moretti family, and possibly planned to use her position as Alessandro's wife for his own benefit.

She had always known Roberto was selfish. He had never protected her the way a father should. But she had never imagined he could sink so low.

The following morning, she sat at the breakfast table, pushing food around her plate.

Alessandro glanced at her.

"You haven't touched your breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

"Is this about what I told you yesterday?"

She nodded.

"I need to speak to my father."

Alessandro put down his coffee.

"Why?"

"Because I want to hear it from him. I want to know whether he really did those things."

"Isabella, I wouldn't recommend confronting him alone."

"I'm not asking to go alone. I just need answers."

Alessandro studied her face.

"We'll discuss it tonight. I have an important meeting this morning."

She nodded, but her mind was already made up.

By midday, Alessandro was still occupied with business.

Isabella approached Maria and asked her to arrange a car.

"Are you going somewhere, Mrs. Moretti?"

"Yes. I want to visit my family."

Maria looked concerned.

"Does the master know?"

"He's busy. I'll tell him when I return."

Maria hesitated but eventually arranged for the driver and two security men to accompany her.

Before leaving, Isabella took a deep breath.

She wasn't going there to beg her father for love.

She wanted answers.

The moment Isabella stepped out of the car, the familiar house brought back memories she would rather forget.

She walked towards the front door and knocked.

Bianca opened it.

For a moment, her eyes widened.

"Well, look who remembered where she came from."

"Hello, Bianca."

Bianca looked behind her.

"Did your husband send you?"

"No. I came to see Dad."

Bianca laughed.

"How touching. The little princess has come home."

Isabella ignored her and walked inside.

Claudia was sitting in the living room when she entered. Her expression immediately changed.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to speak with Dad."

"Your father is busy."

"I'll wait."

Claudia stood.

"Don't walk into this house as though you still belong here. You made your choice when you married that man."

Isabella's fingers tightened around her handbag.

"I didn't make that choice. You all know what happened."

Bianca folded her arms.

"Yet you're enjoying the benefits, aren't you? Expensive clothes, a beautiful mansion and a husband who can buy anything."

"That's not why I came."

"Then why are you here?" Claudia snapped.

Isabella looked at her stepmother.

"I want to know why Dad approached Victor Salvatore. Did he try to sell information about Alessandro?"

The room went silent.

Bianca glanced at Claudia.

That brief exchange told Isabella more than either woman intended.

"So it's true?" Isabella asked.

Claudia recovered quickly.

"Your father does what he needs to do. You should be grateful he found a way to settle his debts."

"By selling me? And then trying to use my marriage to make more money?"

"Watch your mouth!" Claudia shouted.

Roberto appeared at the doorway.

"What's all this noise?"

Isabella turned towards him.

"Dad, is it true? Did you approach Victor and offer him information about Alessandro?"

Roberto's expression hardened.

"Who told you that?"

"Please, just answer me."

"Why are you questioning me in my own house?"

"Because I need to understand what you did!"

He stepped closer.

"You have a comfortable life now. Why can't you leave the past alone?"

"Because I'm the one who has to live with what you did!"

Roberto grabbed her arm.

"Lower your voice."

Isabella pulled away.

"Don't touch me."

Bianca laughed.

"Listen to her. She thinks marrying a Moretti makes her untouchable."

Roberto's face turned red.

"You have become disrespectful since you married that man."

"No, Dad. I'm simply tired of being treated like I don't matter."

Claudia moved towards her.

"You should be careful. Your husband may tolerate your attitude, but you are still in this house."

Isabella turned to leave.

But Roberto blocked her path.

"We haven't finished talking."

"I have."

She tried to move past him, but he seized her wrist.

"You're not walking away from me!"

"Let go!"

Claudia grabbed her other arm while Bianca hurried to close the front door.

"Perhaps a little time here will remind you where you came from," Claudia said coldly.

"Please, let me go!"

Roberto pushed her towards the staircase.

"Take her upstairs. She needs to learn some respect."

Isabella struggled, but the three of them dragged her into the adjoining room. Her handbag fell to the floor, and her phone slipped beneath the sofa.

The door slammed.

A key turned in the lock.

Isabella rushed towards it.

"Open the door!"

Outside, she heard Bianca's mocking voice.

"Enjoy your visit, Mrs. Moretti."

At the Moretti mansion, Alessandro ended his meeting and checked his phone.

There was a message from Marco.

Your wife left the estate earlier today with security. She said she was visiting her family.

Alessandro frowned.

He immediately called Isabella.

No answer.

He tried again.

Still nothing.

"Where is she?" he asked when Marco entered his office.

"Her driver returned, sir. The security men are waiting downstairs."

Alessandro stood.

"Her driver returned without her?"

Marco nodded.

"Mrs. Moretti asked the guards to wait outside while she spoke with her family. They haven't seen her since."

For a moment, Alessandro said nothing.

Then his expression changed.

"Why wasn't I informed?"

"Sir, they believed she was still inside with her family."

Alessandro snatched his jacket from the chair.

"Get the cars ready. Now!"

He stormed out of his office, his voice echoing through the corridor.

"Where is my wife?"

Nobody answered.

He turned towards Marco, his eyes cold with fury.

"WHERE IS ISABELLA?"