Chapter 4: Bloody Matrimony
844 Words
Before Isabella could say another word, Luca grabbed her arm and slammed her against the wall.The cold edge of a dagger pressed against her throat. Her breath caught.
For a moment, the world stopped.This was it. She was going to die. A strange calm settled over her. She closed her eyes and silently whispered her final prayer.But the blade never moved. Seconds passed.
Then Luca stepped back. "Move." Isabella's eyes flew open. She didn't wait for him to repeat himself. She ran. Her legs shook so badly she nearly fell. Even as she hurried down the hallway, she kept looking over her shoulder, terrified he might change his mind.
Then she froze. A group of men were escorting Sarah down the corridor. Her face was bruised. One side of her lip was split.
"Sarah!"
Isabella ran toward her. The men immediately blocked her path. Sarah lifted her head. Their eyes met for only a second. A second that told Isabella everything. They knew. The escape. The key. Everything.
"No!" She fought against the guards. "Let me go!" But they dragged her away and threw her back into her room. The door slammed shut.
The moment she entered, Isabella began searching frantically. The drawers. The shelves. The bed. Anything she could use. Anything.
"Looking for this?" Her blood ran cold.
Luca stood by the doorway. In his hand was the table knife she had hidden earlier. He twirled it lazily between his fingers. Then without another word, he turned and left. The door closed behind him. Isabella sank onto the bed. Her stomach twisted. What was going to happen to Sarah?
As evening approached, the door opened again. Several women entered carrying boxes and dresses. "It's time." Isabella didn't ask questions. Didn't argue. Didn't cry. Not anymore. She simply stood. Empty. Like something inside her had finally broken.
The preparations lasted for hours. A hot bath filled with scented oils. Soft hands brushing her hair. Jewelry. Makeup. A wedding gown more beautiful than anything she had ever imagined. She looked like a bride. But she felt like a sacrifice.
When they finally led her outside, guests had already gathered. Powerful men. Expensive suits. The scent of wine and expensive perfume filled the air. The ceremony began. Isabella barely heard the words. Then her eyes found him. Her father. Sitting among the guests. Watching. The pain she had been holding back shattered instantly. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her father lowered his gaze. Unable to meet her eyes. Beside her, Rafael noticed.
"This is not the time." His voice was quiet.
One of the women stepped forward and gently wiped away her tears. The ceremony continued. Every vow felt like another chain wrapping around her throat. Every word stole another piece of her freedom. Again and again, she looked toward her father. Hoping. Praying. Begging silently. Please stop this. But he never moved.
The reception began shortly afterward. Music played. Guests laughed. Glasses clinked. As though nothing was wrong. As though her life hadn't just been destroyed. Then Rafael raised a finger. The room immediately fell silent. A woman was dragged into the hall. Bruised. Terrified. Bleeding. It was Sarah.
Isabella shot to her feet. Sarah collapsed to her knees. Her eyes immediately found Isabella.
"Please." Her voice trembled. "Don't let him kill me."
Ice flooded Isabella's veins. She swallowed hard as she she turned to Rafael. "What... what's happening?"
Her stomach twisted violently. Rafael took a sip of his drink. His expression never changed. "She aided your escape attempt." The words landed like a hammer.
Isabella's breathing became uneven. "No." She shook her head desperately. "I made her do it." Tears streamed down her face. "Please don't hurt her."
Rafael said nothing. Then he lifted a finger. A gunshot echoed through the hall. The sound exploded inside Isabella's skull. Sarah's body hit the floor. Hard. Her eyes remained open. Frozen. Staring directly at Isabella. For a second, nobody moved. Nobody reacted. Nobody cared. Guests calmly returned to their drinks and to their conversations. As though a human life meant nothing.
Something snapped inside Isabella completely. She stumbled backward. A burning sensation spread through her chest. The room spun. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't understand how everyone could act so normal.
Slowly, she staggering towards Sarah. Dropped to her knees. Gathered Sarah's lifeless body into her arms. And screamed. The sound tore from somewhere deep inside her soul. Broken. Then her eyes landed on the banquet table. A knife. Without thinking, Isabella lunged for it. She spun around and charged toward Rafael. Gasps erupted throughout the hall. Only Luca remained calm. Watching and observing. Almost as if he wanted to see what she would do.
The knife shook violently in Isabella's hand. Tears blurred her vision. "Don't move!" she screamed. For the first time, panic spread through the guests. Her father shot to his feet.
"Isabella, no! Drop the knife." She ignored him. The knife remained pointed directly at Rafael.
"Let me go," she roared. Her voice echoed through the hall. "Or I swear I'll kill him."
- Writer
