Chapter 3
1015 Words
"Rafael," Mrs. Castillo called out softly.
"How do I look?" she asked, twirling slightly with a playful smile.
Isabella was stunned. Her expression betrayed her before she could even hide it—eyes wide, mouth agape. How could old people still be showing affection? she thought in disbelief.
Her parents had never even looked at each other with warmth, let alone twirled around in love. The thought made her giggle out loud before she realized what she'd done.
All eyes turned to her.
The maids began whispering, "She laughed at Madam."
Isabella froze. It was too late to take it back.
"Uhm… sorry," she muttered, forcing a sly smile. "You look splendid, Mrs. Castillo."
"I didn't ask you," Mrs. Castillo replied coldly, shooting her a sharp glare.
Isabella scratched her head awkwardly. Why do I always put myself in trouble? she thought, forcing a stiff smile to stay polite.
"You don't have to smile if you're not in the mood," Mr. Castillo said calmly, glancing at her.
Then he turned to his wife and took her arm. "Darling, let's go. I have something for mi gema," he said, adding the Spanish word for gem.
"Baby," Mrs. Castillo whined softly, "you haven't answered me."
"You look so gorgeous and hot, the temperature's rising," Mr. Castillo declared dramatically.
The entire room burst into laughter......, everyone except Isabella and Mrs. Castillo.
Mrs. Castillo twirled her hair smugly, shooting Isabella a subtle he's mine kind of look before letting her husband lead her out.
Just like that, the marriage discussion was forgotten.
Left behind, Isabella stood frozen, unsure what to do next.
Gradually, the maids and relatives dispersed, some throwing her irritated glances, others watching her with thinly veiled envy.
"Tsk, tsk." Helena clicked her tongue. "Some people just want to climb the ladder, not knowing it's too steep for them," she said, eyeing Isabella before walking out.
Isabella sighed deeply.
What had she gotten herself into this time?
*********
A few hours later, a loud bell echoed through the mansion.
Workers, housekeepers, cleaners, chefs, everyone under the Castillo roof gathered in the mini hall.
Isabella, who had been sleeping soundly in her princess-like room, stirred awake.
"Who the hell is that?" she cursed, groaning as she stretched. Her body felt heavy, and her mind foggy from sleep.
She stood up and trudged toward the door, only to bump her head against the doorframe.
"Yeeeeeen!" she cried out in pain, clutching her forehead. "Ugh, seriously?" she muttered, scolding herself.
Still half-asleep, she stepped into the hallway wearing her favorite silk nightgown. She always preferred something light and comfortable to sleep in, time and place never mattered to her.
Her dark wavy hair bounced loosely with each step, a soft contrast to her irritation.
When she pushed open the door to the mini hall, she froze.
Hundreds of people stood neatly in rows and columns.
Mmm… since when were there this many people in this building? she thought, blinking in surprise.
Then her eyes landed on the man seated on the stage; commanding, regal, untouchable.
Alex Castillo.
Their eyes met for a split second; his cold, piercing gaze against her stunned, fan-girling stare. She quickly looked away, heart skipping a beat.
Before she could even process what was happening; or why she was the only one standing out in a nightgown; two bodyguards grabbed her roughly.
"W...wait, what's going on?" Isabella struggled against their iron grip, panic flashing in her eyes.
They dragged her up to the stage and tossed her down carelessly before stepping back into formation.
Isabella looked around, confusion and embarrassment burning in her chest.
Wait… was I the reason everyone was called here? Are they seriously about to kick me out again, in front of all these people?
Her throat tightened.
This mansion just kept finding new ways to humiliate her.
"Listen carefully, y'all," Alexander's voice boomed through the mini hall.
Every worker stood stiff, the air trembling with silence, except for Isabella, who was still on the floor, her body trembling as silent tears slipped down her cheeks.
This time, she knew.
No one could save her.
Alex had made up his mind already.
Her family had always treated her like she was nothing, but now, the one man she thought she could live and die for was doing worse.
"From today henceforth," Alexander declared, his tone cold and final, "Miss Morales will be treated like every other staff."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall.
"Isn't she the Madam?" a new staff whispered in confusion.
"She's nothing but a sl*t climbing her way up," Helena sneered, her tone dripping with disgust. Her gaze flicked to Alexander, searching for his reaction.
Alex smirked. Pleased.
Finally, someone who could make her life miserable—without him lifting a finger.
Isabella's head jerked up at Helena's words, waiting for Alex to silence her, defend her… like he always used to.
But his smirk said it all.
He wouldn't. Not anymore.
Her vision blurred. The tears flowed freely now, unrestrained, unhidden. The pain wasn't one others could see or share. It was hers alone.
"Also," Alex continued, "she'll be the lowest staff in this house. Since she's joining late, she'll learn from scratch."
A pin drop silence followed.
"I need someone who'll train her," Alex said, scanning the crowd like a predator watching prey.
No one moved. Everyone knew how dangerous it was to get involved when Alexander Castillo was in one of his moods.
"I'll do it, Mr. Castillo," Helena purred, her voice sugar-coated poison. Her hips swayed slightly, eyes locked on his, hoping to earn his favor.
Alex gave a single nod. He wasn't interested in her, but if she could break Isabella faster, why not?
"Fine," he said. "Teach her the basics."
Then, his cold gaze fell on Isabella.
He was waiting, for her to beg, to plead.
But she didn't.
She couldn't.
Her world had already fallen apart.
Alexander Castillo, her reason for everything, was now the one tearing her apart.
Still, she wouldn't give up. Not yet.
Not after giving him two children.
- Writer
