Library
Search
Home / Mafia / The Perfect Doll He Discarded / Chapter 5

Share

Chapter 5

Author: Melissa Z
Isabella's POV

He didn't stop after that night.

First, it was pictures of our intimate moments. Then the texts started. Demands for me to come back.

This morning, a velvet box was waiting outside my studio.

Inside were the lace panties I’d left at his penthouse.

The card had his arrogant scrawl: "Waiting for you to come home."

I shoved them into the incinerator and watched the lace turn to ash.

I spend my days and nights in my studio, restoring paintings.

It's my sanctuary.

But now, his memory haunts this place like a cheap cologne.

My phone buzzes on the table.

It was a new text.

My body tenses.

But the name on the screen is Julian Thorne.

"Seen the news?"

I put down my brush, confused. I pull up the news app.

The Wall Street Journal headline hits me like a punch: "Thorne Group Completes Hostile Takeover. Meridian Corp Changes Hands in 24 Hours."

I skim the article.

Meridian, a notoriously corrupt real estate company. They bullied small businesses. And whispers said they were backed b
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter
Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Latest chapter

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 11

    The car merges smoothly into traffic.Night falls. The city lights begin to glitter.We leave that world of violence and possession behind.I watch in the rearview mirror as Damien's figure gets smaller and smaller, until it disappears into the darkness.I let out a long breath. I feel lighter than I have in years."How do you feel?" Julian asks, his eyes on the road."Free," I answer. "For the first time, truly free."A small smile plays on his lips. Even in the dim light of the car, I can see the tenderness in his eyes."You were brave back there," he says."I just told the truth.""Not everyone has the courage to do that." Julian glances at me. "That wasn't an ending back there, Isabella," he says, his voice low. "That was a declaration of war. And you just handed me the sword."We stop at a red light. Julian turns to me. His eyes hold a new depth."Isabella.""Hmm?""You said you loved me."My heart starts to pound. "I did.""Did you say it to hurt him, or…""Or what?""Or did you

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 10

    I look at Damien's pale face. A new strength rises inside me."What you're feeling right now," I say calmly, "is exactly what I felt that night in your apartment."He starts to tremble."How does it feel?" I continue. "To lose control?""Isabella…" His voice is barely a whisper."It hurts, doesn't it?" I take a step closer. "To watch someone you love belong to someone else. To see their eyes no longer hold your reflection."Damien stumbles back against his Cadillac."But do you know what hurts the most?" I ask. "Realizing that person never truly loved you at all.""I love you!" he shouts. "I always have!""No." I shake my head. "You love the feeling of owning me. You love the power of controlling me."Julian stands silently beside me. He doesn't say a word, but I can feel his support."In your world, Damien, trust isn't a bond. It's a bargaining chip," I say, my words sharp and precise. "And you will always trade up for a bigger prize."Pain flashes in his eyes. "That's not true—""The

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 9

    "Marry you?"I look at Damien. He's like a stranger to me.There are tears in his eyes, but his obsession is terrifying.This is not the man I once loved."Yes," he says eagerly. Hope flickers in his eyes. "Isabella, we can start over."I don't answer. My heart is a frozen wasteland.He lets go of my hand. Pulls a velvet box from his pocket."This is for you."He opens it. Inside is a breathtaking diamond ring. "The Star of Sicily."He carefully takes out the ring. His eyes are full of expectation."My grandmother wore it. My mother wore it. Now, I want you to wear it."The ring is stunning. Any woman would kill for it.All I feel is disgust."Put it on, Isabella." Damien takes my left hand. "Be my queen. For real this time."I look at the priceless ring.Then, as he watches, full of hope, I take it from him. I roll down the window. And with all my strength, I throw it into the weeds on the side of the road."No."The look on Damien's face freezes."What?""I said no." I stare at his s

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 8

    The next afternoon, I leave my studio.As I drive into the parking garage, the metal gate slams shut behind me.Black Cadillacs emerge from the shadows, boxing me in.My heart hammers against my ribs.My car door is yanked open. Damien himself pulls me out of the driver's seat.He shoves me against the cold metal of my car. His hands trap me, his body a cage.He's wearing a dark suit. His face is pale.His eyes were hollow, but a terrifying madness burned deep inside them."Get in the car," he tells me."I won't.""Isabella." His voice is quiet, but laced with threat. "Get in the car."I see his men outside. Their hands are inside their jackets.I have no choice.I start the car. I drive where he tells me, toward the outskirts of the city.The silence in the car is suffocating.I can feel his eyes on me. Burning holes into my skin."Have you fucked him?" he snarls, the question hitting me like a physical blow.I don't answer. I slam on the brakes."Answer me!" He punches the dashboard.

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 7

    I don't know how long I've been in the studio.Three days? Four?Time blurs between paint and canvas.The Madonna in front of me is almost finished. Her eyes shine with mercy. But all I feel is exhaustion.I haven't slept since Nico's call.Every time I close my eyes, his venomous words echo in my head."You think they'll accept a Don's mistress?""You think they'll let their precious heir marry a tainted woman?"I shake my head, trying to banish the thoughts.The brush trembles in my hand.An email from my biggest client. The contract has been terminated.Then a call from my father. His voice shakes as he tells me the company accounts are frozen.Suddenly, the room spins.I reach for the workbench, but my legs give out. I collapse into the chair.My forehead is burning. My vision blurs.I have a fever.My phone rings and rings, but I don't have the strength to answer.The world feels so far away.Through the haze, I hear a knock."Isabella?"Julian's voice.I try to answer, but my th

  • The Perfect Doll He Discarded   Chapter 6

    The picture went viral.I sit in my studio, scrolling through the comments.Most are supportive, but some are venomous."Another gold digger.""Costello dumps her and she immediately finds a new wallet.""The Thornes are old-school. They won't tolerate a woman like her for long."I turn off my phone. Try to focus.But my hands are shaking.The phone rings.A blocked number."Hello?""Miss Rossi. It's Nico Torrino."My blood runs cold.Nico. Damien's most trusted man."What do you want?""Easy now, bella. Just a business call." His voice is relaxed, but I know the danger beneath it."I have no business with the Costellos.""Oh, but we do," Nico chuckles. "I'm calling on behalf of an anonymous collector. He wants you to restore a painting. The price is very generous.""I don't take anonymous commissions.""Not even for a million dollars?"I take a deep breath.The number is tempting. But I know what's behind it."Why me? There are plenty of restorers in New York.""Because you're the bes

More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status