Her Forbidden Mate

Chapter 1

“Isabella, dinner’s ready,” Isabella’s adopted mother Ava called from Isabella’s doorway. 10 years ago, Isabella was rescued from a fire that left her with 3rd degree burns on her legs, arms, and half her face. She had no idea how it happened or who started it, but ever since that day, she had been afraid of fire.

“OK,” Isabella said, as she closed her last suitcase. She had been accepted to M.I.T. on a full-ride scholarship and was desperate to get as far away from Half Moon Bay as soon as possible. Ever since the day of the fire, Isabella’s life had been full of obstacles and if the fire department hadn’t arrived when they did, she would have lost her life. When they found her, they immediately took her to the hospital. After hours of operating, they were finally able to save her life. She was then placed in foster care, where she suffered from bullying by the other children, because of her scares and her inability to talk, before being adopted by her new family and given the name Isabella Hart. It was because of them that Isabella was able to make such a breakthrough.

Isabella followed her adopted mother out of her room and down a narrow hallway. Her new family was a middle-class family. Her adoptive mother was the nurse who helped operate on Isabella as a child and her adoptive father, Ryan Hart, was the firefighter who rescued her. Together the couple had two children, both boys. They hadn’t planned on having any more children, but after seeing the condition that Isabella was in and learning that she didn’t have a family, they decided to adopt her. It took them two years before they were officially able to adopt her, but they were each happy with the outcome.

“Hey, Issy, are you all packed?” Ava and Ryan’s youngest son, Evan asked, the moment Isabella walked into the room. Ryan was 14 and was just about to start high school. He was tall for his age and very lanky with a head full of red hair just like his father. He was the kind of kid that was more into gaming than academics.

Issy nodded then took a seat next to him and said, “Yeah, just finished packing my last suitcase.”

“What time’s your flight?” Ryan asked as he placed his glass of wine on the table.

“9 AM. Are you sure you are still able to take me? I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” Isabella asked.

Ryan waved his hand as if to say it’s not a problem, then said, “Inconvenience? What inconvenience? It’s not every day someone from this small town of ours makes it to M.I.T. and on a full ride at that. You have no idea how much clout "as you young people say," it gives me.”

Everyone at the table laughed, at his attempt at being cool. “I still can’t believe you got into M.I.T. Do you think I can get in?” Evan asked.

“With your grades and short attention span, you’ll be lucky to get into a junior college,” Ava and Rayan’s oldest son, Kenneth, said, rolling his eyes. Kenneth was a year younger than Isabella and was about to start his senior year in high school. He was average height and build with sandy brown hair like his mother and was the running back of the school’s football team. His grades were a little above average, but they weren’t on par with Isabella who not only was a straight-A student but had even acquired ten college credit hours which were all accepted at M.I.T.

“Alright, that’s enough. Evan still has time, he is only going to be a freshman,” their father said. He then looked at Evan and said, “Look Evan I don’t expect you to get into M.I.T. but I do expect you to keep your grades up. We can talk about college when we get there.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Evan said, smiling down at his half-eaten chicken.

“So are you excited about starting college?” Kenneth asked, changing the subject.

Isabella nodded, “Yeah I’m just ready to start this new chapter in my life,” she said, half lying. While she was ready to start the next chapter, her real reason was that she was tired of being bullied and insulted for the way she looked after all. It wasn’t her fault her house was set on fire.

“Of course, just make sure you study hard and stay away from boys, they will always be there,” His remark though sincere, only made Isabella feel embarrassed and stare down at her food as if it were her only hope, while both her brothers laughed at the remark. It wasn’t that she didn’t like boys, it was just that boys didn’t like her because of how ugly she was due to her scars, so she made it a point not to talk to anyone.

“Yeah, right as if any boy would look at her let alone want to date her with that hatched face,” Evan said, not realizing he hurt Isabella’s feelings until Kenneth punched him in his arm.

“Ouch,” Evan said, he was about to hit him back but was stopped by his father. “Dad,” he started to say looking aggrieved.

“Don’t dad me, apologize to your sister,” His father ordered.

Evan looked over at Isabella, who was trying to make herself as small as possible. While it wasn’t the first time she had been made fun of because of her face, it still hurt, only she didn’t want them to know that so she said, “It’s ok. It’s not like it’s a lie. My face isn’t pleasing to look at so you don’t have to worry about boys trying to approach me,” she said fighting back tears. “

“I’m so sorry Issy,” Evan said seeing the hurt on his sister’s face and feeling guilty towards her.

“It’s fine. Mom, dad, I’m full I have a busy day tomorrow so I’m going to go get some rest earlier,” Isabella said, standing to leave.

“Issy don’t go. I’m sorry that was stupid,” Evan said.

Isabella just shook her head and said, “It’s fine. Goodnight,” With that she turned around and walked out of the room.

“Issy,” Ava called after her, but Isabella kept walking. Everyone at the table looked at Evan, who only lowered his head in defeat.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…” He started to say.

“Didn’t mean what? To insult her about the one thing that she is insecure about that’s not her fault?” Their mother asked, annoyed with her youngest son’s antics.

“Kenny laughed when Dad brought up boys,” Evan grumbled.

“Yeah, I laughed, but you are the one who went too far,” Kenneth said, in defense.

“Fine, I will go apologize to her. Is there really no way for those scars to get treated?” Evan asked.

“Of course there is, but these are third-degree burns, and the price is more than we can afford. Trust me, if we had it, we would have made sure to get her in with the finest doctors possible. She’s just lucky that she was able to survive the fire and her entire body isn’t covered in burnt marks.

“How did she get those marks anyway?” Kenneth asked.

Their mother sighed and then said, “it was a house fire. Isabella was about 8 years old at the time. Her mother burned to death. She was the only one who made it. The fire was caused by a cigarette only we’re not sure who lit it.”

“Poor Issy. I will go apologize now,” Evan said, standing up to leave.

His mother quickly grabbed his hand then said, “Not now. Do it tomorrow she will receive it better then,” she informed him. Evan smiled and then sat back down to enjoy the rest of his meal.