All Chapters of I Faked My Death to Destroy My Husband: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

~A week later~Mateo’s POV“Work, Bella. It’s always work. You know how the merger is killing me these days.” I pinched the bridge of my nose as I leaned back in my leather chair.“I know, Mateo.” Isabella said softly. Before, that softness used to make me feel strong. Lately, it only made me feel tired. “It’s just… dinner is getting cold. Again.”“I was wrapping up.” I lied easily. The merger had ended days ago. “I would be home by six. Exactly six. I promise.”I didn’t wait for her to reply. I ended the call and dropped my phone onto the desk. It slid smoothly and stopped beside my glass of scotch.Six o’clock.I glanced at my watch. I still had plenty of time.A faint smirk crossed my lips. She was still the same. The same clingy, always waiting, always worrying wife. Part of me hated it. But another part of me liked the attention. It reminded me that I was the center of her world.I took a slow drink of scotch as my thoughts shifted to Valentina.With her, it was different. Isabel

Isabella’s POVI stirred half-conscious on the couch as I felt someone lift me. When I smelled sandalwood, I knew if was Mateo even before I fully woke.His scent. It used to calm me. It used to make me feel safe. Now… it made my stomach twist.I forced my eyes open, staring up into the face of the man I had worshipped for years. “Mateo, what are you doing?”"You are awake. I am taking you to the bed." He replied. "I’m sorry, Bella. The year-end audit turned into a nightmare. I should have called more." He said, smiling down at me, the way he always did when he thought charm could fix everything"It’s fine, Mateo," I said. "It’s not fine. I broke a promise." He set me down gently. His hands stayed on my waist. "Hit me. Yell at me. I deserve it."He wanted me to throw a tantrum. He wanted the "clingy" Isabella back because my anger was something he could manage. It was an ego boost.I pushed him away as I felt a sudden cramp blooming in my abdomen. "Don't."His eyes sparked with amuse

Isabella’s POV “Mrs. Santiago,” A middle-aged doctor called as he walked in. Dr. Evans. He held my file in his hand. “We have the results of your blood test. You are 7 weeks pregnant. Congra—” “Stop.” I said. It made him pause. He looked up at me in confusion. I reached into my bag and pulled out a thick white envelope. Inside, there was five thousand dollars in cash. I had been saving this money in secret for months, just in case. I placed the envelope on the metal tray next to him. As Dr. Evans looked at the money, his eyes widened. He looked back at me as I continued. “I am not pregnant,” I uttered clearly. “I am stressed. I have severe depression. I have insomnia. That’s why I fainted. That is why I am throwing up.” He swallowed hard as he glanced at the door to make sure it was closed. Then he looked at the envelope again. “Mrs. Santiago… this is unethical.” “This is necessary.” I corrected him. “If my husband finds out I am pregnant, my baby will be in danger. Do you

Three Months LaterMateo’s POVNinety days.For ninety days, I couldn't find Isabella anywhere. She wouldn't take my calls. She would keep her phone switched off. She wouldn't give me her address. She only sent short emails that made my heart bleed.“I’m so tired, Mateo.”“I dreamed of Elena again.”“I don’t think I have much strength left.”I turned the city upside down looking for her. I tried to track her through those e-mails. But she used private emails with encrypted location. I hired the best private investigators but it nothing seemed to work anymore. So, waiting was the only option left.. In these three months, Valentina had moved into the guest house. Her belly was growing larger every day. She tried to touch me, tried to comfort me, but her touch felt acidic. She kept asking when we would get married, when I would announce the baby to the world.“Not now, Valentina!” I would say.“Isabella is sick. I can’t divorce a woman who is on the verge of a breakdown. It would ruin

Isabella’s (Alessia’s) POV"...Ed ora, le ultime notizie sulla tragedia che ha scosso il mondo degli affari a New York," the news anchor said, her voice smooth and professional. "La polizia conferma che il corpo ritrovato nel relitto dell'auto sulla scogliera è di Isabella Santiago. Il marito, il magnate Mateo Santiago, è stato visto lasciare la scena in uno stato di shock totale..."(Translation: And now, the latest news on the tragedy that has shaken the New York business world. Police confirm the body found in the car wreckage on the cliff is Isabella Santiago. The husband, mogul Mateo Santiago, was seen leaving the scene in a state of total shock...)I watched the screen from my small apartment in Trastevere, Rome that Irene rented for me.On the laptop, I saw the footage of silver car at the bottom of the ravine. Irene had hired a driver for it. He drove the car to the cliff, set the fire, and jumped clear just before it went over. By the time the fire rose, he was already gone.