The Billionaire’s Runaway Bride

On a still hill, the Romano mansion stood over the sparkling city of Lagos.... The driveway contained an expensive car, golden lights adorned fountains, and the servant was quiet in the vast house. The Romano family seemed to be in the most perfect condition.' Cains and disasters occurred within the mansion. Despite her father's nervousness, Isabella Romano, 22 at the time, did not stir her tea while sitting in the dining room. I do know," Antonio Romano said hesitantly. "May I finish?" Silence. Then his face turned pale. “No, please—”. The call ended. As Antonio rubbed his forehead with both hands, he slowly brought the phone down. Isabella frowned. “Dad?” He arose suddenly, looked up, and smiled in simplicity: ‘That’s all well and good. "The sound is not typical of anything." Before sitting across from her, Antonio shook his head in alarm. “The company is struggling.” She blinked. “Struggling how?” We had a significant loss of investors last month. Sales dropped. The banks want repayment.”Then her stomach tightened, and Isabella's father became deeply involved with the company Romano Holdings. Having built it from scratch, he became one of Nigeria's richest entrepreneurs. "I'll fix it," she whispered last night. Antonio looked away. “I already tried.” She gradually became enveloped in fear. Head maid, nervously entering the dining room before asking another question.' A moment had passed. “Sir… Mr.Blackwood is here.” The atmosphere changed instantly. But Antonio stumbled, and his chair nearly collapsed. Isabella frowned. “Damian Blackwood?” Even she knew that name. Damian Blackwood wasn't just a billionaire. He could incite panic among politicians and amassed a wealth that enabled him to acquire entire corporations within ten days. The media called him ruthless. His competitors called him dangerous. And women? Women called him irresistible. Immediately, Antonio modified his attire. “Leave him inside.” Shortly after, Damian entered the room. Tall.Sharp.Intimidating. With his black suit covering his broad shoulders, he gazed down at the room with cold gray eyes that peered calmly before resting on Isabella and staying there. Isabella was temporarily unable to take in the air. He had an extremely good-looking appearance. A terrifying truth lies in his calm demeanor. The. Something dark. “Mr.Romano,” Damian said smoothly. Looking happy, Antonio said, "Thank you for your visit." With a relaxed demeanor, Damian sat down with his gaze fixed on Isabella's. Isabella smiled and said, "I bet you knew this was your daughter." A smirk crept upon Damian. “I know.” It made her feel uneasy when he mentioned it. Despite his discomfort, Antonio nodded in agreement and inquired if he had any thoughts of coffee. “No.” The silence became uncomfortable. Then Damian finally spoke again. To solve your financial problems, I came. "You are on," Antonio muttered. He asked. “Yes.” Damian leaned back calmly. “I will save Romano Holdings.” Relief flashed across Antonio's face. “Oh, thank God—”. I want your daughter,' Damian replied calmly. The room froze. Isabella stared at him. “…What?” Antonio swallowed hard. Damian's expression remained emotionless. “I want to marry Isabella.” Her hands broke, and a broken teacup fell to the floor. Isabella stood in the middle of her father’s office, staring at him in shock. Her chest rose and fell quickly as she tried to understand what he had just told her. The silence in the room felt heavy and uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that made everything feel worse. “You can’t seriously expect me to agree to this,” she finally said, her voice shaking with anger. Antonio Romano looked completely tired. The powerful businessman who always looked confident now seemed weak and stressed. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his shoulders looked heavy, like he was carrying the weight of the world. “Bella, please try to understand,” he said quietly. “Understand what?” Isabella asked angrily. “That you promised me to a man without even talking to me first?” Antonio sighed deeply. “The company is in serious trouble.” “And that means you can just give me away?” she snapped. “I’m your daughter, not a contract.” “That’s not what this is,” he replied quickly. “Then what is it?” she asked loudly. Antonio opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. His silence told her everything she needed to know. Isabella felt tears burning in her eyes, but she refused to cry. She didn’t want her father to see how hurt she really was. “You promised me,” she said softly. “You told me you would never use me to solve your business problems.” Antonio looked away in shame. “I didn’t have another choice.” “There is always another choice!” she shouted. Before Antonio could answer, the office door suddenly opened. Immediately, the atmosphere in the room changed. Damian Blackwood walked inside calmly, looking like a man who feared nothing. His expensive black suit fit him perfectly, and his cold gray eyes slowly moved around the room before stopping on Isabella. The moment he looked at her, her heart skipped slightly, and she hated herself for reacting that way. Everyone knew Damian Blackwood. He was one of the richest and most powerful men in Lagos. People feared him because he was ruthless in business and never showed mercy to anyone. “You look upset,” Damian said calmly. Isabella glared at him angrily. “Get out.” To her annoyance, Damian smiled slightly, almost like he found her anger amusing. “You’re even more beautiful when you’re angry,” he said smoothly. “I’m not marrying you,” Isabella replied immediately. “You are,” Damian answered confidently. “No, I’m not.” Damian slowly stepped closer to her. Every movement he made was calm and controlled, but there was something dangerous about him. His presence alone made the room feel smaller. “You’re misunderstanding something, Isabella,” he said quietly. “This is not a request.” Her anger exploded instantly. “So because you’re rich, you think you can control people?” Damian’s expression didn’t change at all. “Money doesn’t control people,” he replied calmly. “Power does.” Isabella couldn’t stand how calm he remained while her entire life was falling apart. He talked about forcing her into marriage like it was completely normal. “Why me?” she demanded angrily. “You’re Damian Blackwood. Any woman would happily marry you.” For a few seconds, Damian stayed silent. He simply stared at her deeply, making her uncomfortable. Then he finally spoke. “Because none of them are you.” The answer surprised her. For one brief moment, she thought she saw something different in his eyes. Something softer. Something deeper than coldness and arrogance. But the moment disappeared quickly. Isabella crossed her arms stubbornly. “I still refuse.” Damian’s jaw tightened slightly. “You should think carefully.” “I already have.” The room suddenly felt colder. “If you walk away from this marriage,” Damian said quietly, “your father loses everything by tomorrow morning.” Antonio lowered his head immediately, ashamed. Isabella felt sick inside. This wasn’t love. This wasn’t romance. This was blackmail. She looked at Damian with disgust. “You’re a terrible person.” Something dark flashed briefly in Damian’s eyes. “No,” he replied quietly. “Terrible people hurt others for fun. I do what I have to do to survive.” The honesty in his voice somehow scared her more than anger would have. Without saying anything else, Damian turned and walked toward the door. But before leaving, he stopped beside her. “The engagement party is tomorrow night,” he said calmly. Isabella lifted her chin stubbornly. “I won’t be there.” Damian leaned slightly closer, his voice low and confident. “Yes,” he murmured. “You will.” Then he walked out of the office, leaving silence behind him. Later that night, Isabella sat alone in her bedroom. The city lights outside her window glittered beautifully, but she barely noticed them. Her mind kept replaying everything that had happened. She couldn’t marry Damian Blackwood. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life trapped with a man who treated emotions like business deals. The thought alone made panic rise inside her chest. Then suddenly, an idea entered her mind. A dangerous idea. Run away. At first, the thought scared her. Damian was powerful. Men like him always got what they wanted. But the idea also gave her something she hadn’t felt all day. Hope. A few minutes later, she called her best friend Sofia and told her the plan. Sofia looked completely shocked. “Bella, are you crazy?” she whispered. “Maybe,” Isabella admitted quietly. “You really think Damian Blackwood will let you disappear?” “He won’t have a choice.” Sofia shook her head nervously. “That man will search everywhere for you.” Isabella turned back toward the dark window, determination slowly replacing fear in her heart. “Then I’ll disappear so completely,” she said softly, “that he’ll never find me.” For the first time that entire night, Isabella smiled. Not because she was happy. But because she finally had a way out.