Chapter 37
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If Dad looked displeased with the news, Mr. Reed’s expression was thunderous. He stood abruptly, yanking the napkin from his chest and throwing it onto the table.
“Is this some kind of trick, Mr. Prescott?” he snapped, then called over the young woman, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I’ve lost my appetite. My family and I are leaving.”
As Mr. Reed stormed out, a wave of nervous tension filled the room. One by one, other guests began to rise from their seats.
“Mr. Reed!” Dad called out, standing to follow the group in an attempt to salvage the situation.
My mom pressed her fingers to her temple, massaging away a headache that seemed to be growing by the second.
Charlotte, meanwhile, picked up the abandoned document, her expression a perfect mask of neutrality. I’m sure many questions are racing through her mind, especially since Leo is closely watching Gabriel.
“This has to be fake,” Charlotte remarked, doubt in her voice.
I arched an eyebrow, suppressing a smirk. She wouldn’t let a chance to corner me slip through her fingers.
“Charlotte,” I began, injecting just the right amount of hurt into my voice, “my marriage is genuine. Just because you’re marrying Lucas doesn’t mean I don’t have the right to be happy too.”
‘I’m the better actress between us, after all.
Lucas turned to his fiancée, confusion clouding his handsome features.
“L–love, I didn’t mean any bad by it,” Charlotte stammered. “I just… noticed the name of Isabella’s spouse is blurred on the document.”
Mom reached over to examine the document herself, her brow furrowing.
“Charlotte, I’m a public figure,” I explained with measured patience. “Golden Stage asked me to keep my relationship private because of Sabrina and the upcoming series. You know how the industry works.”
“But are you really married, Isabella?” Mom pressed.
“Mom, as my parent, you can easily verify the authenticity of this photocopy with the civil registry. I am married,” I stated, looking at her eyes.
With measured movements, I opened my clutch, took out my engagement ring and wedding band, slid them onto my finger, and held up my hand for everyone to see.
Mom’s lips parted in stunned silence while I caught the flicker of envy in Charlotte’s eyes. The Marquise–cut diamond on my ring, 33 carats and set in white gold, shimmered under the light.
Charlotte’s ring was beautiful, but it looked modest next to mine. If she could have hidden it, I knew she would have.
“Since dinner appears to be over, I’ll take my leave,” I announced.
Heading toward the door, I was almost out when Dad suddenly charged toward me.
“You ungrateful brat! I’ll kill you!” Dad shouted, his voice filled with rage.
Fear surged through me as he charged toward me, his face twisted with fury. Lucas stepped in before he could reach me, gripping his arms and holding him back.
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19:31 Sat, 12 Apr D
Chapter 37
The mansion’s grand entryway exploded in chaos, with shouts, curses, and accusations echoing off the high walls.
My expression turned ice–cold. I straightened, glaring at the scene before me.
“Go ahead, Lucas, let him go! Let him try to hurt me!” I challenged, my voice slicing through the chaos.
If Dad laid a hand on me, I’d have no choice but to report him. The thought both scared and empowered me.
Had they forgotten that I was their child, too? That I deserved love, just like everyone else?
“Honey, please!” Mom’s voice broke into sobs as tears streamed down her face.
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Dad struggled against Lucas’s hold and jabbed a trembling finger in my direction. “You’ve brought nothing but disgrace to this family!”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I stared at him. “Have I really, Dad? Or am I just a problem because I won’t let me anymore?”
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“Uncle, please calm down…” Lucas’s voice was gentle but firm. “Isabella rarely visits. There must be another way to handle this.”
Dad took a deep breath, trying to control his rage. I could tell there were a million thoughts racing through his mind.
“Divorce that man!” he spat out suddenly. “Whoever the idiot you married is, you need to separate from him, or you’re no longer a part of this family!”
“Uncle!” Lucas gasped in shock.
I felt all emotion drain from my face, though my nails dug deep into my palm. “I’ve told you before–if you want to disown me, just do it already!”
Without another word, I turned and walked toward the car. My chest ached with hurt, and tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them see my weakness.
Charlotte’s quick footsteps followed me across the driveway, catching up as I reached for the car door.
“Isabella!” she called.
“What is it?” I turned, but her eyes fell on the necklace around my neck.
Her fingers reached out to touch the pendant, then trembled.
“Where did you get this? I don’t remember you finding it!” she accused, her tone laced with suspicion.
I raised an eyebrow, recalling Tina’s warning about the necklace–that it was better not to uncover the story of how it had ended up in her hands for eight years.
Now, I was torn. Should I tell Charlotte about Tina?
