Caught in His Web

Chapter 1: The Betrayal

“Mom… Dad… you’ve got to be joking.”

Isabella’s dark hair fell over her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Bella, this is your fate,” Evelyn Carter, Bella's mom said coolly, lifting her teacup. “We have to protect the business. You know that.”

“Daddy, please,” Isabella pleaded. “I have a boyfriend. I love him. My career is finally taking off….I don’t want to get married right now!”

“Like your mother said,” Ryan Carter replied evenly, “this is what has to happen.”

Isabella laughed bitterly. “What am I? An object you can trade for whatever you want? Am I even your daughter?” Her chest heaved. “If you’re so desperate for this marriage, why don’t you marry off your favorite daughter instead?”

Without waiting for an answer, she stormed upstairs.

Everyone in Lakewood City knew Isabella Carter was the least favored daughter,she was rebellious, outspoken, and constantly at odds with her family.

“What are you doing in my room, Brianna?” Isabella snapped, glaring at her older sister sprawled across her bed.

“What do you think?” Brianna replied with a smirk. “I came to congratulate you on your engagement to the Ravenwoods, little sis. I’m really envious.”

“If you’re so envious,” Isabella screamed, “why don’t you marry him yourself?”

Brianna laughed softly. “My, my… haven’t you heard the rumors?” She stood and slowly circled Isabella, eyes gleaming.

“They say the Ravenwoods’ youngest son is a cripple.”

Isabella froze.

“And besides,” Brianna leaned close and whispered, “they specifically asked for Isabella Carter.”

She pulled back and sat casually on the bed.

“Why would they want me when you’re right here?” Isabella’s voice cracked. “You, Mom, and Dad are hiding something. You just don’t want to marry him. You all think I’m the one who deserves a cripple!”

Her strength finally gave out, and Isabella collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.

Brianna stared at her, a flicker of sympathy flashing in her eyes before vanishing as if it had never been there.

“Deal with it, little sis,” she said coldly, then turned and walked out.

“I'm not a puppet”Isabella screamed loudly, she sat down on the floor whimpering and quickly changed into a hoodie and stormed out of the house.

Isabella quickly hailed a cab and climbed in,her hands trembling as she nervously dialed her boyfriend, Mike's contact but each call was unanswered. “Come on Mike” she said as she kept trying over and over again till the cab pulled over at his house.

“Thank you sir” She gave the money driver and hurried to his house.She quickly punched in the passcode and entered. On entering,saw a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table.

“Did he have a guest?” she muttered to herself and decided to clean it up. She dropped the glasses in horror as her eyes drifted to the pregnancy report lying there. She reached for it and read it over and over again,her eyes not daring to believe it. Before she could fully register what was going on she saw her boyfriend, Mike walk in.

“Bella, when did you get here?” he asked, smiling—until his gaze dropped to what she was holding. His face drained of color. “Babe… I—I can explain.”

“Then explain this right now Mike,is this your child?” She demanded,her voice shaking

“What?No,” he quickly,panic flashing in his eyes. Right then she saw her best friend, Holly walk in Mike's shirt while drying her hair.

“Babe, your child wants pizza”she heard her say.

“And here comes the traitor,” Bella laughed

bitterly, tears streaming down her face.

“Bella,” Holly gasped. “I… I can explain….”

“Wow,” Bella cut in. “Did you two rehearse what you were going to say once you got caught?” Her voice trembled as she looked straight at Holly. “I’m going to ask you this just once. The child you’re carrying… is it Mike’s?”

Holly hesitated, her fingers tightening around the towel as she avoided Bella’s eyes. After a long, suffocating pause, she nodded slowly.

“I need words, Holly!” Bella screamed.

“Yes, Bella. Yes,” Holly whispered.

“It was an accident, Bella, I swear,” Mike dropped to his knees, desperation flooding his face. “She drugged me—”

“I drugged you?” Holly stared at him in shock. “Bella, he told me he was only with you because you’re rich, and that the one he truly loves is me.”

“Cut the crap,” Mike snarled, glaring at her before turning back to Bella. “Babe, you’re the one I love.”

“He’s lying…” Holly tried to cut in.

“The both of you, shut up. Just..shut it,” Bella snapped. She turned to Holly, her voice breaking. “We’ve been friends since childhood. Even if he claims he truly loves you, why didn’t you think about me, Holly?”

“Think about you?” Holly laughed hysterically. “You’re just a stupid rich and selfish brat, and I’m done being your lackey. You call me your best friend, but you knew I had a crush on Jake in high school…and yet you still dated him. I’m just returning the favor.”

“A lackey?” Bella whispered in disbelief.

“So you stole my man because I dated a guy you had a silly crush on in high school? You told me you were fine with it. That happened ages ago.” She stared at her in shock.

Mike stared at Holly, equal shock written all over his face. “You used me… just to get back at her?”

“Glad to see your mask finally slip off Holly, your pay back… you getting pregnant with my man…your revenge on me….I hope it was worth it” she said softly and without another word,she turned and walked out.

Bella wandered through the streets, staring at the neon lights, her eyes blurred with tears. Before she knew it, she found herself standing on the rooftop of one of the tallest buildings, her soulless gaze fixed on the busy streets below. She sighed, thinking about everything that had transpired since the afternoon.

“I’m so sick of being the puppet in my family, the foolish one in my friendship, the naïve one in a relationship,” she murmured, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

“Maybe I should just jump,” she whispered.

A deep baritone voice cut through her thoughts.

“You’re not gonna jump, are you?”