REBIRTH: Wife Is Here To Claim It All

~Isabella Pov~ “Will you marry me, Issabella?” My heart was pounding as I stood in front of the man who kneeled in front of me with a sparkling ring in his hand as he looked at me with a loving eyes. I gulped in disbelief. How long have I waited for this moment? How long have I hoped for this? After how many years? This man had stayed with me throughout every tribulation in my life, the death of my adopted parents, the revelation of my identity as the heiress of the moreno fortune, the doubts and lastly, my unknown illness which I don't even know if I can live past. This man stayed with me and proved he was a trustworthy man. He promised he would never leave me even in death and he fulfilled it all. My eyes trembled, I couldn't hold back the tears that flowed from my eyes, “Alex…” I whispered his name with so much love which I hope he would know of. I wanted him to know I love him the same way he did, though I doubt my love can be bigger than his. He looked at me with love and devotion, though I could see his trembling fingers which showed his nervousness. I chuckled, then not wanting to keep him waiting, I knelt down together with him then held his face in my hands. “I love you, Then, now, and the future that we don't know. So why would I say “No” to the person I so much love?” I whispered then took the ring from him and slid it into my finger. Then I looked at his shocked face, “Yes, I will marry you Alex.” He widened his eyes in shock, “You-you! Did you say yes?!” He asked and when I nodded he stood up and carried me with happiness. It was such a beautiful moment that I did not want the day to end, and I was very happy. Tears pulled in my eyes as Alex lifted me off the ground, twirling me around in his arms. Laughter spilled out of me, pure and gentle, he held me close, whispering promises to my ears, his breath warm as he kissed my forehead, my cheeks, and finally—my lips. Our kiss deepened into something slow and tender at first, then grew more desperate as if he wanted to devour me whole. I melted into him, drowning in his moment, in the love I thought would last forever. "Let's celebrate," he whispered, drawing back a little so that he might look into my eyes. His fingers followed along the line of my jaw, firm but gentle as if he was committing me to memory inch by inch. "I'll go get us some wine." I nodded, still short of breath. A few minutes later, he returned carrying two glasses of deep crimson wine which he gave to me. I smiled as I lifted mine to my lips without any hesitation and took a sip, the rich taste flowed in my tongue, and the same familiar warmth filled my chest. We talked of everything, our childhood, the nights we sneaked out to see each other, the stupid fights that had made us stronger. His eyes became nostalgic, and in a voice full of warmth, he spoke. I listened as my heart swelled with love. This was my Alex, the man who had been with me through thick and thin. But then slowly, something began to change. A weird pain settled upon my body. My limbs feel heavy, my vision blurring a little. My head felt too light, yet heavy at the same time. I frowned a little, then tried shaking it away, trying to blame it on today's overflowing emotions. I looked at my now fiance, "Alex…" I called out, My voice is softer now and weaker. I tried to sit up, but my energy was just too lacking. I watched as he smiled, that same warm, loving smile, and pulled out some papers from a sleek black folder. "There's just one thing left, my love. I had these drawn up for us." He said with eyes filled with gentleness. I blinked at the papers, forcing myself to focus. "What is it?" "A prenuptial agreement," he said smoothly. "Just a formality. You trust me, don't you?" I nodded, of course I did. My hands were shaking as I reached for the pen. The letters on the page blurred before my eyes, but I didn't care. My whole body felt heavy, exhausted. All I wanted was to rest in his arms. So without thinking, without questioning, I signed. The moment my pen left the paper, everything changed. Alex's smile disappeared. The warmth in his eyes changed and was replaced with something cold—something cruel. "Isabella," he said, and his voice was completely emotionless. I frowned in confusion. He had never called my name that way, except he was angry but I didn't remember doing anything wrong. I felt Shivers in my spine as I looked up at him. I was shocked at his eyes. It was like a stranger staring at me and not the lover who had whispered lovingly in my ears a few minutes ago. "Alex?" My voice did not do much more than shudder. "What is wrong?" His lips curled as low laughter puffed through him. "You're really this dumb, aren't you?" My stomach dropped. Before I could even respond to that, he yanked me off the couch, and I found myself on the floor which was covered in roses. My arm was on fire from the impact of how I fell, but I couldn't move. My legs and arms wouldn't listen to me. I stared up at him in shock, disbelieving. "Alex…? What's wrong?" I watched as he crouched beside me, his fingers tracing my cheek in a touch so soft it made my skin crawl. His face was unreadable, but his eyes… They were empty. He chuckled coldly, “How long I’ve waited for this moment,” he murmured. “Your parents took everything from mine, Isabella. Everything. And tonight, I’m taking it all back.” My heart slammed against my ribs. “No… no, that’s not true.” He smiled again, but it was not a smile of warmth. It was cold and taunting. "Deny it all you want, sweetheart, but your family's fortune was built on the blood of others. Including my parents.". I shook my head violently, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "You're lying." His face darkened. "You think I'm lying?" He leaned closer, his breath over my skin. "I killed them, Isabella. Your parents. And when your precious guardians got in my way, I got rid of them too." He said then laughed devilishly. I shivered, and then a sob wrenched from my throat. "No…” "Yes." His voice was laced with venom, his blue eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "And you know what's even more pathetic? You never saw it coming." Tears blinded me, but I forced my gaze to him, searching for the man I thought I had known. The man who'd just asked me to marry him. But—He was gone. I gulped loudly, "You—poisoned me…" I managed. Realisation washed over me and I felt my brain resetting. That was why I had been weak. Not just exhaustion. It was all Him. My eyes widened in shock, “Alex!” He laughed, a cruel, heartless sound. "Of course I did. A slow dose, just enough to make you helpless." He c****d his head, watching me with sick amusement. "You're dying, Isabella. But don't worry, I'll make sure the world thinks it's just your weak little body failing. What do you think?” I felt my body go cold at his words, Anger, fear, and desolation all twisted up inside me, choking me. "You'll never get my inheritance." I managed to say with the little strength I have. "Ah, darling," he crooned, waving the signed paper in front of me. "You just signed it over to me." My breath caught. I just signed it all away. My company. My fortune. My whole legacy. A choked sob wrenched from my chest. "Why, Alex?" His mouth twisted into a slow, depraved smile. "Because your parents murdered mine." My head spun. No. My parents weren't murderers. This was a lie. It had to be. Desperation clawed at me. "Someone will stop you—" He tossed his head back and laughed. "Who? The only man who would have kept you safe? The one you threw away for me?" Daniel. The name pierced through me, straight to the chest. Daniel, who had once loved me. Daniel, who had warned me about trusting the wrong man. Daniel, whom I had turned my back on. Now, I had no one. “Hah!” I wept openly as I struggled to breathe, staring up at the monster I had once called my love. I couldn't even cry out, I felt fear fill me, "Please," I begged. "Don't do this." My eyes looked at him pleadingly. I had no other option. He c****d his head to the side, as if considering it, then smiled. And pulled out a gun. A wave of ice-cold terror slammed into me. My body shook violently, but I couldn't move, couldn't escape. I was going to die. I sucked in a shaking breath, the weight of my chest burning with regret. If only I had listened. If only I had seen the truth sooner. If only—