chapter 3

ISABELLA POV

       I adjusted awkwardly on my seat because now that the effects of the alcohol I had drank had begun to fade, it was embarrassing having to see him again. How did he not feel embarrassed? Or is it because this isn’t his first time?

         “ Let’s get straight to the point. Would you be my wife?” He asked and for a minute, my mind had to process his words before I turned a bright pink.

         “ I know I’m gorgeous and all but who falls in love with someone they just met!?” Was he out of his mind?

          “ Forgive my boss’s teasing. He was just trying to pull your legs,” who I assumed to be his secretary sighed.

           “ You’re very interesting,” he rubbed his chin. He loved my reaction to his bizarre words.

         “ A-anyone would react the way I did,” I stuttered. “ Stop joking around and say what you have to,” I exhaled.

        “ I wasn’t joking about the marriage part though, I just said it vaguely,” he answered. “ And my name is Ryan. I’m well aware of who you are and everything that has happened to you so far,” he crossed his legs.

         “ What are you? A stalker?”

         “ Isabella Genovese, clocked twenty-one years this year. You’re also in Castro University and you’re pretty much a model student,” he read out with a straight face. “ Do you want me to go on?” He smirked.

          “ No, anybody can get that sort of information from anywhere. I’m a Genoveseafter all, it’s not unnatural to have caught someone’s eye,” I said. As much as I despised my family, I was unfortunately still from a wealthy and influential family like the Genoveses.

         “ Do you have any idea what I really want? If you can tell me that, then I’ll believe you aren’t some creep,” I folded my arms.

        “ I heard that your fiance cheated on you with your younger half-sister. I also heard that she’s carrying his child,” he tapped the rim of his glass. “ You want to ruin them and your family in general right? You feel and are certain that the Genoveses killed your mom, isn’t it?” He knew too much.

        “ Who exactly are you?” I clutched my chest.

        “ I must have hit the hammer on the nail quite perfectly,” he snickered. “ I’m Ryan West and yes, it’s the very same popular West family you know,” he was confident that I knew.

        “ No way…”

       “ My offer is pretty simple, marry me in exchange for your revenge. You certainly can’t touch the Genovesefamily with how powerless you are, the only way to make them pay is to have someone like me backing you up,” he rested his back against the couch. “ Well, ultimately, it’s your choice so what do you say?”

   As I stood before my Dad and Stepmom, my heart raced with anticipation. 

  

   “ I’m moving out,” I announced. My voice was firm and I felt a sense of resolve wash over me. 

   From my peripheral vision, I could see my stepmom’s eyes widen in shock. 

   “ What do you mean you’re moving out?” She exclaimed loudly, her voice was laced with a mix of surprise and annoyance.

    “ Exactly what I said, I’m leaving.” I shrugged, clearly ignoring her.

   My stepmom’s face turned red, and she started to ramble, “ But why? You can’t just…..”

    “ Oh please! Save it okay.” I cut her off, cause my patience was wearing thin. “ We both know you’re happy I’m leaving.”

   My dad scowled, his expression turned disapproving. “ Isabella, don’t speak to your mom that way.”

    His words ignited a spark of anger within me. “ She’s not my mom,” I spat, my voice turned venomous. “ To think you have the audacity to say that when we both know you cheated on my actual mom.”

    My Dad’s eyes blazed with fury. “ Isabella, that’s enough. You’ll respect your stepmother regardless of her being your biological mother or not!”

    I remained resolute, my heart began pounding in a steady rhythm. “ I’m moving out for good. Not for school, neither for some temporary thing. I’m getting married.” I deadpanned, with my arms folded across my chest.

   The room fell silent, and they both exchanged shocked and confused glances.

My Dad’s face turned red, and he spluttered, “ What kind of silly tantrum is this? What do you mean you’re getting married out of the blue?”

    I kept my voice calm, trying to convey a sense of certainty. “ It’s not a tantrum. I’ve made up my mind.”

    My Dad slammed his fist on the table. 

  “ You will return to your room right this minute and forget about this nonsense!”