Chapter 2

After my father died, the Gallo family, with Filippo's help, swallowed up most of my family's fortune.

Cornered at every turn, I fled to Sicily battered and bruised and struggled just to survive.

Ignoring their jeers, I stumbled up out of the rosebushes, meaning to leave and get in touch with the management company.

My driver was right outside. He was also the bodyguard my husband had sent to protect me.

But Filippo grabbed me by the hair and dragged me back in front of him.

He looked me over like a man in power savoring his prey.

"Isabella, didn't you hear me? Or do you actually want to live on the streets?"

With a cold laugh, he threw me into the pool.

Filippo stood at the edge, looking down at me and enjoying the sight of me fighting to stay afloat.

"Tsk. Wash yourself off first, then you can wait on us! You should know this place better than anyone. I'll give you one hour. Clean this place up, and I'll tip you a hundred euros. How's that?"

I struggled to my feet in the pool.

My one-of-a-kind dress was soaked through and looked like a dirty rag.

Thinking of how foolish I'd once been, I could only blame myself for being so blind.

I managed to haul myself out of the pool, but before I could get my balance, someone reached out and shoved me right back in.

"The bitch can stay in the pool and sober up!"

"Still dreaming Filippo will take you back? He's been Teresa's fiancé for ages. Once they're married, he'll take over the Gallo family business. Who'd want a bitch who ran off with another man?"

How could a selfish, arrogant man like Filippo ever compare to the strong, devoted man I loved?

I glared at Filippo and fired back. "The real traitor is someone else entirely. A couple of lies won't erase what really happened!"

Panic flashed across Filippo's and Teresa's faces, but they quickly pulled themselves together.

They'd destroyed the evidence long ago and twisted my reputation into that of a tramp who'd run off with a lover. No one would ever know what really happened back then.

Filippo sneered, crouched down, and gripped my jaw hard.

"Isabella, you're as stupid as ever."

A cruel smile curled his lips.

"So what if the past comes out? The Gallo family is already in with the Vitale family. Soon, everything in Naples will belong to me!"

I found it laughable.

They had no idea the woman they'd crossed was the lady of the Vitale family!

"Filippo, this is my private estate! Take your people and get out!

"My husband won't let anyone who crosses me off the hook. Leave now, and you might still live."

Filippo's expression stiffened.

But the next moment, he let out a scornful laugh.

"Married? Isabella, you think I'd buy that lie?"

I could feel several leering stares roaming freely over my body.

"Maybe she found some guy with weird kinks! She's not bad-looking, after all."

I had no interest in arguing with these idiots any longer.

I meant to climb out on the other side of the pool.

But the moment I found my footing, a woman came rushing over, holding up the hem of her dress, and grabbed my soaking hair.

"Isabella, you bitch!"

I stumbled to my knees, and someone forced my head down into the pool.

I thrashed against the agony of suffocating. Water poured into my mouth and nose, bringing the taste of blood.

Just before I drowned, the hand finally let go.

I sprawled on the ground, coughing and coughing.

Teresa, though, turned on me as if she were the victim. "Why did you come back?

"I'm Filippo's fiancée now. Don't you dare try to cling to him again, you bitch!"

Seeing my father's killer again, I felt rage burn behind my eyes.

But Filippo blocked me with his tall frame.

Once again, he chose to protect the real culprit and coldly snapped at me. "Isabella, don't you dare hurt Teresa!"

I stared at him in disbelief.

Then and now, I was the one who'd been hurt!