RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

ChapterSeventeen

NATALIE’S POV

The heat pressed down on me as the ship had finally come to a halt, the air outside shimmering like a mirage. I’d been staring at the little rays of light which streamed in from the cracks in the door I had been placed in, lost in the haze of fear and resignation. When the doors opened, the first thing I noticed was the smell: a mix of earth, sweat, and something sweet and pungent. This was Colombia, they told me. My new home. The word twisted my stomach.

A man in a crisp white shirt met me on the tarmac. His sharp suit contrasted with the grime of the situation, but his eyes were colder than anything I’d seen in the past few days. Domenico Lopez. They didn’t have to tell me who he was; I knew. The new owner. He loosened the ropes which bound my hands.

He gestured for me to follow him without a word. My legs were heavy as I descended the stairs, each step dragging me closer to the inevitable. A sleek black car waited nearby, its polished surface reflecting the sun like an ominous warning. The driver opened the door for me, and I slid inside, the leather seats sticking to my skin.

The ride was silent, save for the hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of Domenico’s phone. He didn’t look at me once; his attention was fixed on whatever was on his screen. I stared out the window, watching the countryside blur past. Lush green hills and endless fields stretched as far as the eye could see, a beauty that felt almost cruel given the circumstances.

When we arrived at his estate, I could barely breathe. The mansion—was enormous, a sprawling structure with white walls and red-tiled roofs that gleamed in the sunlight. Guards stood at the gates, their faces blank but watchful. This wasn’t just a home; it was more of a fortress.

Inside, the air was cool and smelled faintly of jasmine. Domenico finally spoke, his voice low and commanding. “Take her to the bathroom. She needs to clean up.”

A maid appeared, her face devoid of emotion as she led me down a marble hallway. The bathroom was bigger than my entire apartment back home, with a clawfoot tub and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The water was already running, steam rising in gentle curls.

“Here,” the maid said, handing me a towel and a simple dress. Her eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, and I thought I saw pity there, but it was gone too quickly to be sure.

I stepped into the tub, the hot water stinging my skin as it washed away the grime, cuts, and sweat of the past few days. My mind raced as I scrubbed myself clean, the reality of my situation sinking in. What did he want from me? What was his plan? The questions swirled in my head like a storm, but there were no answers.

When I emerged, Domenico was waiting in the living room. He sat in an armchair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. He gestured for me to sit, and I obeyed, sinking into the plush couch opposite him.

“I’ll be direct,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. “I bought you because I need a wife.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. I stared at him, trying to process what he’d just said. A wife? My mind rebelled against the idea, but I forced myself to stay calm. Any sign of defiance could cost me.

“I don’t want a wife for love or companionship,” he continued, his tone devoid of emotion. “This is purely business. A partnership. You’ll attend events with me and play the role of the devoted spouse, and in return, you’ll have a comfortable life. But make no mistake—this is not a choice. You belong to me now.”

My hands clenched into fists in my lap, nails digging into my palms. The weight of his words crushed any remaining hope I had. Belong to him? I wasn’t a person anymore, just a possession. An object? I was now something to be used and displayed.

“I have conditions,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “You’ll obey me in public and in private. You’ll not attempt to contact anyone from your past. And you’ll never, under any circumstances, try to leave.”

“I doubt anyone would try to reach out to you” he said almost mockingly

And he was right, Amaya was the only one who would be in a frenzy because I was nowhere to be found

His eyes bored into mine, daring me to challenge him. I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. What else could I do? Resistance was futile. Survival was the only thing that mattered now.

“Good,” he said, leaning back. “You’ll find that I’m not a cruel man, Natalie. As long as you follow the rules, you’ll be treated well. But cross me, and you’ll regret it.” His eyes darkened and I knew he meant business.

He stood, his towering presence casting a shadow over me. “Maria will show you to your room. Rest for now. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me alone with the echo of his words. Maria, the maid from earlier, appeared silently at the doorway. She gestured for me to follow her, and I did, my legs feeling like lead.

My room was lavish, a far cry from the dingy cell-like space I’d been in before. The bed was enormous, draped in silk sheets, and the windows offered a stunning view of the estate. But it wasn’t freedom. No amount of luxury could change what this was.

As I lay on the bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I tried to make sense of everything. Domenico Lopez wanted me as his wife, but not in any way that mattered. I was a pawn in whatever game he was playing, a piece of his carefully constructed facade.

But I wasn’t going to let him break me. Not yet. I didn’t know how or when, but I would find a way out of this. Until then, I’d play my part, bide my time, and survive.

For now, that was all I could do.

JENNA’S POV

Caleb leaned back in his chair, the dim light of the study casting shadows across his sharp features. He twirled a pen between his fingers, his smirk as confident as ever. “You’re overthinking this, Jenna. Richard is the key. You marry him, and the company is yours. Simple.” Sounding almost arrogant

Simple? I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Nothing about this was simple. “It’s not that easy,” I said, crossing my arms. “Lana and Natalya made sure of that when they got the restraining order. How am I supposed to get close to Richard when I can’t even be within fifty feet of him?”

“That’s where we get creative,” Caleb said smoothly, leaning forward. “They’re not exactly squeaky clean, are they? We find their dirt, use it against them, and make them revoke it.”

I tilted my head, studying him. Caleb had always been ambitious, but there was a cold, calculated edge to him tonight. “Blackmail,” I said, testing the word on my tongue. “f**k! Caleb: That’s your solution?”

He shrugged, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Why not? You’ve come this far, Jenna. Don’t start playing innocent now.”

He wasn’t wrong. I’d made sacrifices to get here, clawed my way up from nothing. But this? Blackmailing Lana and Natalya—two women who already hated me—was a dangerous game. They weren’t the type to back down without a fight.

Although they were strong, one of them is my mother. And as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

“And what if it backfires?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “What if they go to the cops or worse, tell Richard?”

Caleb waved a dismissive hand. “They won’t. They’re too protective of their little empire. If we dig deep enough, we’ll find something they’ll want to keep buried. Everyone has skeletons, Jenna. You just have to know where to look.” he said with a cunning smile on his face

The confidence in his voice was maddening, but he wasn’t entirely wrong. Lana and Natalya weren’t saints. They’d done everything they could to push me out of Richard’s life, but they weren’t untouchable. The idea of turning the tables on them sent a thrill through me, even as my stomach churned at the thought of what it might cost.

“And what about Richard?” I asked quietly. “Even if I get close to him, he’s not just going to fall for me overnight.”

Caleb smirked. “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. Richard has always had a weakness for women like you—beautiful, determined, and just the right amount of dangerous. Play your cards right, and he won’t stand a chance.”

I looked away, the weight of the plan settling on my shoulders. Was this really what I wanted? To manipulate and scheme my way to the top? The answer was obvious. Of course, it was. I hadn’t worked this hard to stop now.

“Fine,” I said finally, meeting Caleb’s gaze. “We’ll do it your way. But if this goes south, I’m not going down alone.”

His grin widened, and he raised his glass in a mock toast. “That’s the spirit, Jenna. Let’s show them who they’re dealing with.”