Chapter 5

ISABELLA’S POV

Cameras flashed the moment Ethan and I walked into the lobby.

Reporters crowded in, shouting questions.

“Mr. Dexter, is your engagement off?”

“Ms. Moretti, are you in a relationship with him?”

“Is this a publicity stunt?”

Ethan hands closed around mine in a firm grip as he led me through the chaos.

“Smile,” he said quietly, without looking at me.

I lifted my chin, smiled, and walked forward without flinching or slowing down.

Beside me, Ethan walked as if the world belonged to him.

Lucia walked behind us, calculating and observing, while Caleb was ahead, clearing a path for us.

We stopped at the podium already set for the press.

Ethan stepped forward and guided me beside him, his hand resting lightly on my waist.

I reminded myself it was just for the cameras.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said in a steady voice. “I’ll keep this brief.”

The hall fell silent.

“There has been speculation surrounding my personal life and recent events involving Ms. Isabella Moretti,” he continued. “We are here to clarify that speculation.”

He turned slightly toward me and smiled. I took his hand.

“Ms. Moretti and I are in a private relationship,” he said. “One that began some time ago and was intentionally kept out of the public eye.”

Gasps rippled through the room.

“We are making it public now because misinformation is being spread,” he added. “We will not be addressing leaked materials or false narratives.”

“What about your engagement to Sophia vale” a reporter shouted

“My engagement with Ms. Vale ended long before Ms. Moretti and I entered into this relationship.” Ethan answered, lying smoothly. “We mutually decided to keep our breakup private.”

Then he reached into his jacket pocket. He brought out a small box and opened it.

Inside was a simple and elegant ring.

I gasped. I genuinely had not expected this.

Ethan dropped to one knee.

“Isabella Moretti,” he said, pronouncing my name slowly.

“Will you marry me?”

All eyes turned to me, cameras flashed continuously.

This was it. The moment that would either save everything or destroy it all.

I stepped closer.

“Yes,” I said clearly.

The room exploded into chaos.

Ethan slipped the ring onto my finger and stood. He leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek.

It was for the camera, nothing more.

“Thank you all for being part of this memorable night,” Ethan said. “Good evening.”

Security ushered us through a side exit.

The car door slammed behind us, cameras still flashing outside.

“Well,” Lucia said after a moment, “that went according to plan.

I stared at the ring on my finger.

“You handled that well,” Ethan said after a while.

“I didn’t do it for you,” I replied sharply.

“Of course not.”

The car stopped in the parking lot.

Ethan looked at me.

“We’ll talk tomorrow.”

I didn’t answer.

He stepped out and walked away.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The ring felt heavy in my hand.

The next morning, my name was everywhere.

Lucia read the headlines aloud while I sipped my coffee.

Isabella Moretti Engaged to Billionaire Ethan Dexter

Power Couple Shakes Corporate World

Scandal Rewritten as Love Story

Each article had the same photo of Ethan kissing my cheek.

“How are the companies doing?” I asked.

“Moretti Luxe is safe for now,” she said. “ISMARA stock dipped but is recovering.”

My phone rang.

Ethan.

I answered.

“What do you want?”

“There's a fundraiser tonight,” he said. “You're coming with me. Send your address, your dress will be delivered. My driver picks you up at four.”

The call ended

I laughed bitterly

“Who does he think he is?”

“You have to go Bella. Making an appearance as a couple is going to help.”

I groaned in frustration but sent him my address.

Hours later a luxury van arrived with dresses, shoes and jewellery.

I chose a gold sequined dress.

At exactly four a black SUV pulled in.

The driver opened the door. I slid into the car.

The door shut softly. The inside was all dark leather, polished and exuded power.

The divider slid down.

Ethan sat across from me, his suit was tailored perfectly to his frame. His shoulders looked broader.

His cufflinks glistened gold, matching my dress.

“You didn’t have to pick me yourself”

“Yes, I did”he said evenly.

The rest of the drive was silent.

At the venue, his hand rested on my back as we entered.

I spent the night introduced as his fiancée.

By the time we returned, I was completely exhausted.

“The wedding date has been fixed” Ethan said.

I sat up instantly

“I believe my opinion should matter in cases like this.”

“I'm informing you.” he replied

I scoffed and didn't say anything else

The car rolled to a stop.

I stepped out of the car and headed straight to bed.

The wedding came faster than expected.

The resort was surrounded by reporters.

Despite the private arrangements, the city gathered.

I stood in my private chamber, my reflection staring back at me from the tall mirror.

The dress was simple yet stunning.

Lucia adjusted my dress. Our eyes met in the mirror.

“Remember why you’re doing this and who you’re doing it for,” she said.

I nodded.

The organ began to play, signifying the beginning of the ceremony.

Lucia squeezed my hand once before stepping aside.

The doors opened, and I walked forward.

The aisle felt longer than it should have.

Ethan stood at the far end of the aisle, composed and unreadable.

The vows were brief.

When it was over, the official smiled.

“By the authority vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife.”

The words hit me. I was now Ethan’s wife.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Ethan turned to me

The kiss deepened more than it ought to and was longer than necessary.

Cameras flashed wildly, clicking pictures.

I pulled back from him slightly, my breath uneven.

Together, we turned and faced the cheering crowd.

His hands wrapped around mine firmly, and then I felt the weight settle in fully.

This wasn’t just an ending to a scandal. It was the beginning of something far more dangerous.

And somewhere in the crowd, someone was already planning our downfall.