RE-WRITING DESTINY

Isabella's pov. “Do you ever think I loved you’’, Dante asked, ‘’I only married you for your money, “I want a better life for my real wife and children, Dante said His words pierced through me, I felt it, was he saying the truth or not, but now I know the man I called husband ‘’Dante.… Why”, my voice cracked as tears began to drain from my eyes. I loved you, gave you everything I had, my time , trust ,heart, even my inheritance’’, I said crying.’ ‘’And that’s exactly what I wanted, everything’’, Dante said with a smirk. I stumbled backwards, my heart twisted, the man I once loved swore my vows to, before me stood not my husband but a stranger wearing his face. ‘’Dante love’’, I heard a female voice call, ‘‘I’m tired’’ she said as she walked closer, she was heavily pregnant,her hands pressed protectively against the child she carried Obviously she is the real wife Dante mentioned, ‘‘It's high time we left here’’ she said. She, her voice and everything was just familiar. “Cousin Rosalind’’, my voice broke, ragged with betrayal. ‘’You two must have planned this from the beginning’’, I said as tears fell from my cheek. She is Dante's so-called cousin ‘’Dante, you can’t kill me” I managed summoning courage than felt thinner than paper “I have proof…. proof that you and your uncle killed my parents and the police and royal guards are on their way, you will surely be arrested’’ I said as Rosalind giggled Dante watched me as if I was performing a quinte folly “ Oh! Isabel you are too navie” Rosalind said with a triumphful smile as she slid towards Dante and rest on his shoulder They stared at each other just like the way lovers do ‘‘What do you think? Should we shove lady Woodlock off the cliff’’, he said as he giggled. “No’, I screamed but he giggled as he walked toward me. “This can’t be my end; I can’t die a coward” I said to myself but it was too late I was already falling ……… falling. ‘’No’’, I screamed, but I landed on my bed. Was it a dream or what, I thought. ‘’Isabell, Miss Isabell, are you okay’’. Matilda asked. She is my maid but also my best friend and so is Debony. The three of us were the closest beings ever, we all grew up together, though it’s odd to have a maid as your best friend. ‘’I had a weird dream’’ Matilda’. ‘’Where is Dante’’, I asked. ‘’In this house’’, she replied. ‘’What time is it?’’, I asked. ‘’Past midnight’’, she replied. ‘‘Isn’t my husband supposed to be here’’ I asked. ‘‘Bell!’’Matilda shouted. She only calls me when she wants to tease or wheedle me. ‘‘You are not yet married to Dante, ‘’Aunt Florinda would be mad’’, Matilda said. ‘’Aunt Florinda, you mean I’m still chaperoned’’, and you are still here with me? I asked as Matilda’s face shifted. ‘’I know today must have been chaotic so you need to get some rest and sleep’’, Matilda said‘’ “Matilda what year is this?’’ I asked ‘’1890’’, she replied leaving me in a dilemma, ‘’Goodnight’’ she said as she left Was I given a second chance. I asked myself in disbelief or I was dreaming. But 1890 was the year I got married and 1894, was the year I died And this isn't a dream was it? I asked myself if it was so real. Also I remembered marrying Dante, when walking down the aisle, I wore my late mother's wedding gown So why do everything seem different or have got my head on a wall. But I’m here in this room. Could Mattilda be telling the truth or I should just sleep for tomorrow to come and claim me over I said to myself. *** Morning light streamed through my windows, warm and golden, nudging me from uneasy dreams. So I was given a second chance, thank heavens. Matilda bustled into the room, her apron already dusted with flour, her braid slipping loose. “What would you like for breakfast, Miss?” she asked cheerfully, though her eyes still carried a flicker of worry from last night. Before I could answer, Aunt Florinda’s voice floated from the dining room. “Coffee, bacon, and potatoes, as always!” “And for you, Miss Isabella?” Matilda asked again, smiling faintly. “Oatmeal,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. Simple, grounding. As the servants moved about, I found myself watching Aunt Florinda with new eyes. She was dressed elegantly in her pale morning gown, her posture elegant even at the breakfast table. Yet I saw, too, the weariness in her smile, the faint sadness in her eyes she tried so hard to hide. She had lost her husband along with my parents three years ago, but she still stood tall, raising me as though I were her own child. How blind I had been in my past life, ignoring her counsel. “Aunt Florinda,” I said softly, breaking the quiet clatter of silverware. “Yes, dear?” she looked up, brows arched slightly in surprise. ‘‘Aunt Florinda’’, I called ‘’promise me you will always stand by me in any decision I make’’, I said, ‘’Really! ‘You are talking about you marrying Dante and turning down Mr.. Hiram your betrothed’’, ‘’Sorry but I won’t make that kind of promise,’’ aunt Florinda said. ‘’Aunt Florinda I'm very sorry for not heeding to your advice, I don’t want to marry Dante anymore he is only after my wealth’’, I said with tears as Florinda looked at me in shock. ‘’Really’’ Matilda said ' ‘you have been acting strange since last night, ‘’you didn’t even read the letter Dante sent to you’’, what happened, Matilda asked. ‘’I have learnt my lesson’’ I said crying, Florinda slowly set her spoon down, a faint smile tugged her lips. “Now this is Isabell, I have been chaperoning, you finally got yourself back’’, aunt Florinda said. ‘‘How could you turn down Hiram for Dante you met three months ago’’, Florinda “Three months isn't enough to know a man’s soul” she added I swallowed hard shame pricking my skin ‘‘I’m going to meet with Mr.. Rowell my guardian’’, I said ‘’but you have a date with Dante at the opera and he is bringing along his cousin Rosalind’, Matilda reminded, ‘’His cousin’ I said in a low tone,' why didn’t I ever suspect those two-love birds? He is not on a date with me but with Rosalind I thought. "Please tell Dante I was summoned by my guardian, " I replied. ‘’Matilda ready the carriage’’, I said. ‘’I would be gone for a few days; I would love to visit my parents' aunt Florida Said Please be of good character while I’m away’’ she added as she bade me farewell. *Mr.. Rowell study * The heavy oak doors groaned as I pushed them open. The familiar scent of old parchment, ink, and polished wood swept over me, stirring memories I’d rather forget. The room was as it always had been, towering shelves crammed with books, the mantle crowded with relics of authority, and my guardian, Mr. Rowell, sitting like a stern magistrate behind his desk “Mr.. Rowell’ I called as I entered the office the heavy oak door creaked as I tried closing it Hiram, you’re here too? I asked surprised, ‘sorry for interrupting’, I said, “No Isabell you are just in time please sit’ Mr.. Rowell said as I sat beside Hiram. ‘’Isabell, Hiram is suspecting Dante has something to do with the death of your parents three years ago’ Mr.. Rowell said as they both expect me to be dismay, But this isn't new news. In my past life Hiram warned me so many times, he only cared for me. He begged me to divorce Dante, but I didn’t believe him. I thought he was only jealous of me marrying Dante and not him but now I realized how much he cared for me and I, oh not worthy of his love ‘‘Will you not say anything lady Woodlock, has Dante love really blinded you that you can’t see reality’ Hiram said in anger ’oh Hiram’, ‘‘Thank you, but don’t you think you are a little bit hostile towards Dante?’ I said with a little smile. ‘‘Mr.. Rowell I’m calling off my wedding with sir Dante’, I said boldly ‘’Miss Woodlock where are your manners’’, Mr.. Rowell said, angrily. I dislike getting my guardian angry. I can remember in my past life when I saw him very angry was when I told him, aunt Florinda and Hiram not to meddle in my marriage and stay away from me. Remembering all those makes me feel like a bad person. I was hostile to the only people who really cared for me. To worsen it Dante sent Matilda home and I was all alone. I thought of Dante, my husband , my lord and my family but now I realize how foolish I was. ‘‘I can see Florinda didn’t teach you any manners did she?’’, ‘’you are a lady you can’t turn down any wedding you want, after calling off your engagement and announcing your wedding with Dante without my knowing, what has gotten into you’’Mr.. Rowell said ‘I’m sorry for disappointing you, Mr.. Rowell but I’ve made my decision’, I said as I left the study. ‘’Isabell’’, Hiram called “would you still love to be my fiancé, he asked ‘’Hiram’ I said with a pitiful eye you still love me after what I’ve done to you, ‘’Yes, I will,’ I said really! Then I shall walk you down to your carriage, he said happily.