WHISPERS OF BETRAYAL : THE COLD CEO

Loud, breathless groans echoed through the private suite, mixing with the rhythmic sound of dark, aggressive thrusting. Leonardo gripped her from behind without slowing his pace, fisting his hand in her hair while he slammed fast into her body. He didn't care about anything but the release, and once it was over, he pulled away immediately. He growled and stepped back, refusing to let any woman hook him with a fake pregnancy and false promises. Stepping out of bed completely unfazed by her disheveled appearance, he picked up his phone and transferred a sum of money to her account. After all, that was all they wanted: manipulative gold diggers who only cared about the money. He looked toward the bed with an icy glare and spoke coldly, "I have transferred the money. Get out before I come back." He strolled into the bathroom to wash away the night. As he turned on the shower, a bitter memory flashed into his mind: the heavy scent of rose flowers and lilac, and the whispering of wedding guests looking at him as he stood by the altar like a stupid i***t. He was the fool in the church, waiting for Bianca—the woman who never showed up. She'd stolen millions from him and abandoned him at the altar without a second thought. He walked out of the bathroom, and she was still there, getting ready. He pushed her out of the room and signaled one of his men to throw her out. He didn't care if she was half-naked, ready to face the world; he just told her to get out immediately. She cursed him loudly as the door shut, but he cared less about the curse and started getting ready to face the day. He believed all women were manipulative and only cared about money. After putting on his suit, he walked out of the room, prepared for the corporate world. He walked straight into his exclusive office, adjusting his perfect bespoke suit, completely switching into his cold CEO mode. He hated clumsiness and unprofessional ethics in his company. Luca, his best friend, right-hand man, and loyal, trusted partner, entered the office and dropped off the company financial reports for him to review. Luca spoke with a level voice. "Fiamma is downstairs in the lobby demanding a meeting with you." Leonardo paused what he was doing and looked at Luca. "This is a place of business. I do not have time for family drama. Tell her I am busy and can't talk." Luca walked out and headed to the lobby, where Fiamma stood wearing stunning designer sunglasses and a beautiful velvet gown. Luca stepped forward and said, "You will have to leave if your brother is busy." Fiamma frowned and sighed. "Can't you talk some sense into my brother and tell him to stop being so cold and distant? I have been calling him, but he is not answering. Ask him to call me back, please." She was about to say more when the sudden interruption of her phone ringing cut her short. She turned and began walking out of the lobby, heading toward the street. Luca couldn't tell whom she was talking to, but a bright smile broke across her face the exact second she answered the call. Across town, Isabella stopped by the jewelry shop with a bright smile, picking up her boyfriend Julian's dream wristwatch for their anniversary—four years together. She was overjoyed and couldn't wait to see his excitement. She left work early to surprise him, hailed a taxi, and drove to his place. Deciding to surprise him even more, she used her spare key. The moment she stepped inside, a strange feeling hit her. Hearing loud moaning and heavy breathing from his bedroom, her heart skipped a beat. She rushed inside and saw him taking a girl from behind, driving into her fast and hard. She screamed, "Julian!" He pulled out immediately. Isabella was completely paralyzed with shock to see her jealous stepsister, Chloe. Instantly filled with agonizing pain, she watched Chloe stand up with a cruel smirk, showing no remorse. Julian scrambled up, saying he was bored with her and needed someone to spice things up. Isabella was shattered. Those two bastards showed no regret. "Why did you do this to me?" she cried out. "After everything we have been through, why repay me this way?" Julian laughed harshly. "I never forced you to do anything. It is Chloe I love, so move on." Chloe giggled and sneered. "Stop acting like a desperate b***h. Get out." Isabella ran out sobbing as the sky opened up, raining heavily. She ran to the park, regretting not listening to her best friend, Fiamma. Sitting on a park bench, she called her with trembling fingers, sobbing as she explained everything. Fiamma went completely feral, cursing Julian. "I always knew that guy was no good, Bella! He is a worthless opportunist who sucked you dry while he was too lazy to get a real job!" Isabella cried harder as her words sank in. "Stop crying for that sick bastard; he is not worth a single tear," Fiamma demanded fiercely. "I am booking a flight to New York to help personally." Isabella sniffled and shook her head. "No, Fiamma. I am completely done. I am relocating far away from those bastards. I am moving back to Italy for good." The anger vanished from Fiamma's voice, replaced by massive excitement. "Yes, girl, come home! I am going to spoil you so much and make you forget about them quicker than you can imagine, bestie!" "I just need a fresh start," Isabella said, before hanging up. When the rain stopped, she hailed a taxi to her father's house. She rushed inside, packed every single thing she owned into her suitcases, and took a long bath to wash away the betrayal. She dressed in clean clothes and headed straight for the airport. Downstairs, her stepmother, Victoria, looked at her with absolute disgust. "So you have finally decided to leave this house since you know you are not wanted here," she sneered maliciously. Isabella ignored her completely, keeping her head high. Victoria shrieked in anger to her father, "You see how mannerless she is? She has no respect at all!" Her father finally looked up. "Isabella, where exactly do you think you are going?" he asked flatly. She paused at the door. "Somewhere better than this house. Somewhere where I am actually loved and valued," she replied coldly. He just stared, saying absolutely nothing to defend her or ask her to stay. Her stepmother kept ranting loudly behind him, but Isabella turned her back, walked out, and climbed into a waiting taxi. At JFK terminal, she went straight to the ticketing counter and booked a seat on the very next flight to Italy, paying with the last of her savings. After checking in, she sat in the waiting section, staring out the large glass windows at the airplanes on the tarmac. All men are sick bastards, she thought, and love is just a pathetic illusion men use to deceive and manipulate women. I am completely done with love, she vowed to herself as the boarding announcement echoed. I am never letting a man near my heart again.