Chapter 4
1183 Words
to Marco and Sofia then create a group chat with Marco and Sofia
"Hey guys it's Isabella, this is my new
number "I text
"How are you, has anyone done something
to you?"
"No, I'm fine. Everything is fine, I'm just
sad it had to be this way." I text.
"I miss you already" Sofia writes and I
I want to cry but try to stay strong.
We text for awhile when I hear a knock
at my door. It's a woman telling me to get
ready for dinner. Apparently there will
be a dinner to celebrate me and Antonio. God
What has my life become?
I open the wardrobe and take something
I like it. It's a black silk dress. With black
heels. Is this too much? I hope not.
I meet Antonio on top of the stairs. We walk
down together. He didn't even look at
me. Not even a glance. Not that I care but
I do look hot today. I'm just not his type
I guess. When we reach the table there
is like 20 people sitting down. I take a
seat across from Antonio and wave to some
people who look at me.Nicole Romano walks in and takes the seat
on the largest chair. Almost like a throne.
He acts like he's some king. It scares me
how much power these people have.
After a while Nico decides to speak.
Everybody is watching him as he speaks.
"I just want to thank all of you for coming
here today. And I know what all of you
are thinking. We are all wondering about
the thing going on here" he says pointing
between me and Antonio. I keep my gaze on
my lap. They all start to eat as Nico
keeps talking.
"You two are getting married, huh?" He
wants everyone to think this is a normal
marriage. So his reputation stays good.
So now I have to convince people I love
my husband. Great.
"Is it true Antonio saved Isabella? I heard
you have problems at home" Nico says.
I freeze. Why does he bring my personal
life up.
My heart sank. I have never told anyone
about my condition at home and now he
says it in front of 20 people.
This is my story to tell and I should be
able to choose who I tell it to. I drop my
fork, hands shaking. I place my hands on
my lap. Stay calm Isabella.
I look up at Antonio. He looks furious. Angry
to his father. "Don't talk like you don't
know, you f*****g made me marry her!"
I'm happy I'm not the only one not
wanting this marriage at least. "Son sit
down, what are you talking about? Aren't
you guys happy to finally be together" He
says acting innocent.
"Let's go Isabella" he says and goes over to
me to grab my wrist. I follow him as he
leads the way.
We walk through the living room and turn
right to get up the stairs. As soon as we
reach the top of the stairs he lets go of my
wrist. I think he squeezed my arm a bit
too much which left a red mark.
He looks at my wrist and decides not to
I apologize. Uh hello? Rude.
"I'm fine" I say anyway. A quick nod "get
back to your room I don't want to see
you" and he walks back to his office. Well
I didn't know my whole existence was
annoying.
***
In the middle of the night I hear shouting
and fighting. I get scared and curl up
יון
in my blanket. I think they are arguing
about what happened at the dinner.
Antonio had every right to be mad as I am .
Exposing his dad in front of everyone
could not be easy. So I guess he's in
trouble for this. Actually I don't care. As
long as it doesn't affect me.Nico throws the door open with a loud
bang, startling me awake. "Out now" he
demands, his voice cold and unyielding.
Before I can fully comprehend what's
happening, he's beside me, grabbing my
arm with a grip that feels like iron.
"What?" I start to protest, but he yanks
me out of bed, forcing me to stumble
along with him.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of
fear and confusion swirling in my mind.
"Let me go! What is going on?" I panic, my
voice trembling. I always knew this place
would be worse than home, but this...
"It's time" he says, his tone devoid of any
emotion. "You are going to be punished."
Panic surges through me. My wounds
from the last beating haven't even healed
yet. I don't think I can take another hit.
ון
"Stop, you are hurting me, please!" I beg,
my voice cracking as his grip on my arm
tightens painfully. Tears blur my vision as
He drags me out of the room.
"Please, Nico!" I plead, but my words
seem to fall on deaf ears. He doesn't
even look at me, his expression hard
and unyielding. The hallway stretches
out before us, cold and unwelcoming,
mirroring the hopelessness I feel inside.
As I start to cry, I can't help but think
about how unfair it all is. What did I do to
deserve this? Why do I always end up in
violent homes? It's like I'm cursed. I sob
quietly, trying to keep up with Nico's
relentless pace. This is my luck, I think
bitterly. This is my life. Lucky me.
Just as he is about to slap me something
stops him.
"Get your hand off of her now" Antonio says.
Thank god.Nico looks at him. "She needs to get
what she deserves for not turning up
today, her father told me she needed a
lesson." He says.
"f*****g don't touch her" Antonio growls
ال
Nico lets go of me. I stand up to walk
to Antonio, hiding behind him. "She is my
wife, I do what I want with her, you are
not going to lay a hand on her ever again."
he says and it's enough for Nico to stop
for now. Nico nods disappointed and
walks away.
"Thank you," I said to Antonio. He moves his
hand and places it on my back. I wince at
the touch. I usually don't let anyone touch
me until my wounds heal but I try to
make it seem like it doesn't hurt.
"Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine" I smile.
"What's up with your back?" He says as I
face him. "Oh nothing I just fell" I tell him
and hope he stops talking about my back.
I think he believed it because he didn't
question it no more.
I sit on the corner of my bed. Looking up
at him. He is really handsome if I have to
admit it. Not only that. He is beautiful.
Nope not doing that.
"How's your wrist?" He asks and when
I look at my arm and I realize I'm bleeding.
Nico must have dug his nails into my hands.
- Writer
