RE-WRITING DESTINY

Chapter2; CHANGE OF PLAN

Dante’s pov.

The room was thick with the scent of smoke and spilled brandy.

I paced before the hearth like a caged wolf, the fire throwing twisted shadows across the walls. My fists clenched so tightly that the veins strained

‘’Rosalind’’ I called ‘’where you able to sign Isabell’s parent’s will? she asked

‘’Isabell canceled the wedding’ I said very furious.

“what! she screamed

‘’Why would she do that, have you offended her or she found out we are the ones who killed her parents’, Rosalind kept asking

“I don’t know,” I growled, running a hand through my hair.

“But this isn’t how it was supposed to go. She was weak, gullible. She was supposed to be mine, and with her inheritance, so was her fortune.”

‘‘No, no, no this can’t be happening after this far, we must do something’ I said.

Rosalind’s lips curled into a sneer. “No, Dante. That fortune belongs to us. Do not forget who has risked everything for you.” she added

I turned, my temper flaring. “Do not lecture me, Rosalind. You were the one who insisted this plan would be simple.”

“Then make it simple again. Get her pregnant. Tie her to you with a child, and she will have no choice but to marry you.”

‘Tomorrow Debony, Mr. Rowell's daughter would be performing at his opera and Isabell would not miss it” she said as she massaged my shoulder.

Her suggestion slithered into my ears like poison, and though I tried to resist the thought, it festered. Yes….. it could work.

Rosalind traced her hand across my chest, leaning her head against me.

“Tomorrow night. At the opera. She will be there with her darling friends, oblivious as ever. And you…” Her smile sharpened. “You will make sure Isabella Woodlock never escapes us.”

I caught her wrist and pulled her against me, my anger dissolving into hunger as I held her waist.

Rosalind, my secret wife, my true accomplice, had always known how to reignite the fire in me; her lips still silenced my doubts.

If Isabella thought she could outwit me, she was sorely mistaken.

NEXT DAY*

Mr.. Rowell opera

Isabell pov.

The grand opera house glittered like a jewel against the darkened sky.

Chandeliers of cut crystal cast a thousand dazzling lights upon marble floors, while gilded balconies overflowed with the kingdom’s elite

I clutched Debony’s arm as we entered, Matilda trailing behind us.

“Debony, I cannot wait to hear you perform,” I whispered, my voice full of excitement. “Tonight the whole kingdom will know your voice.”

She laughed, though her fingers twisted nervously around her fan. “Isabella, you are more excited than I am.” Debony said.

Isabell is more excited than you, Matilda added as we laughed.

‘’I hope today’s performance would make me the best soprano vocalist in the kingdom, I tried being third’’ she said,

’’Debony, you’ll get there someday you are very talented, ‘even the duke is coming’ I said, trying to cheer her up as she hugs me

But then, as if the night itself conspired against me, a maid stumbled into me, her tray toppling, a glass of water spilling down my gown.

“Oh my lady I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, please punish me!” she stammered, falling to her knees.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Accidents happen always” I said

‘’What is your problem?" Debony asked the maid, " I'm sorry, I’m sorry, please punish me’ she kept on saying,

"It's okay, I don't want to ruin your day, Debony," I said.

‘’Allow me to lend you a dress of mine’ Debony offered, ‘yes, thank you, I replied gratefully

“so lovely you can change at the room back of the stage’ she said “thank you” I replied

“Matilda come help me get change I said as we left

Matilda followed me, carrying the gown, her stories, keeping my mind at ease until I realized I had left my gloves behind.

“I’ll fetch them,” she offered. “You change, I’ll be back in a moment.”

I nodded, turning to the mirror, fingers fumbling with the laces of my clothes. The room was quiet too quiet until the door creaked open.

And he was there.

“Dante?” My blood froze. He stood in the doorway, his smirk widening as his eyes devoured me

“What are you doing here? This is not proper you should not be here.

“Checking on my bride to be," he replied. “We are no longer getting married. I have called it off” I said trying to push past him toward the door, but his arm shot out, blocking me.

‘’Don’t bother, the doors are locked just you and me’ he said with a smirk. It’s lock form outside how do I get out I asked myself as terror clawed at me

‘’HELP’’ I shouted. “Oh Isabell no one can hear and Matilda is being taken care of.” he said as he put his hands around my waist.

‘’Let go of me’ I said as he holds me tight pushing me against the walk

‘’We must get married, don’t you think’, he said as he tried talking off my clothes. His hand was moving around my body from my waist and up to my boobs.

‘’NO’’, I yelled trying to push him but he pushes me on top the bed, ‘’devil incarnate’’ I yelled as I spat on his eyes and tried running

‘’You b***h’’, he said as he slaps me, I would not go easy on you he said as he carried me on top of the bed

“Debony, have you seen Isabell’ Hiram asked, ‘she’s at the room at the back stage she is changing she replied as he left

‘’Don’t tell me you are going to meet a lady while she is changing ’debony murmured

‘’something doesn’t seem right’’ Hiram said as he ran

The world spun, my pulse thundered, and despair clawed at my soul. Was this the fate of both my lives, to be trapped, broken, defiled?

But before Dante could strip away the last of my dignity, the door burst open

“Let her go.” Hiram’s voice cut through the air like a blade.He stormed forward, his fist colliding with Dante’s jaw.

‘‘Really you still want this trash?’’ Dante asked as I bowed my head in shame.

clutching the torn fabric of my gown. What would Hiram think, seeing me so disgraced, so undone?

‘’She is my fiancé Hiram said as he punched Dante,

‘’You will pay for this” ‘he yelled as he pounced on Dante.

Dante face was already covered with blood but I felt no pity for Dante

A devil like him must be beaten to death but not by the hand of Hiram I thought.

‘‘Hiram is enough, please don’t kill’ him I cried as I pulled Hiram away from Dante. ‘Sorry,’ I said, trying to cover myself as he threw his eyes away from me.

‘‘I know I’m looking like trash right now, but it isn’t my fault and I tried everything possible not to allow Dante defile me and if you want to call off the engagement I understand’, I said

‘‘No Isabell, I still love no matter what happens. We must get married next month, he said as he kissed my forehead.

‘’My parents the Duke and Duchess are on their way, you better get dressed, I shall send some maids to help you out and to take Dante to the hospital’’ Hiram said as he left.

And for the first time since my return to this cursed year, I felt safe.

**NEXT DAY***

At Woodlock’s Mansion

Isabell’s pov.

‘’Really tomorrow, ‘don’t you think it’s too early’’ I asked as I sip some tea.

“We were having tea Hiram and I. "We need to start preparation before next month. What plans do you have for the wedding?" he asked,

"Mr.. Rowell is taking care of it’ I said with a smile and ‘’Debony would be my maid of honor’’ I added

“I have little friends so my invited guest won’t be much. Neither Dante or Rosalind would be invited, I said.

‘’Can you imagine what Rosalind did to Matilda?’ I said.

"What did she do Hiram’ asked

"She hit Matilda on the head and she collapsed and Rosalind left the collapsed maid bleeding," I said, frightened as I sip the tea.

‘’No wonder she didn’t serve us today’ Hiram said.

“She is already being treated. I said

“I asked her to take today off so that she can rest, I explained

“it is good to hear that he replied I’ll get going he said as he stood up.