Chapter 7 - Isabella Refused Her Father’s Plan
Vincent ordered Isabella home.
She refused.
That surprised everyone.
She asked to speak with Alessandro privately.
“I did not know about Lily.”
“I believe you.”
She looked at him.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
Isabella had many faults.
Subtlety was rarely one of them.
If she had known, her behavior toward Lily would have carried a
different edge.
“What happens to the engagement?”
“It ends.”
Her face tightened.
“Our fathers built this agreement.”
“Our fathers built many things badly.”
“If we end it, there may be consequences.”
“Yes.”
Isabella sat down.
For the first time, she looked twenty-eight rather than untouchable.
“My father will blame me.”
Alessandro said nothing.
“He always does.”
That did not excuse what she had done to Rosa and Lily.
But it explained part of the cruelty.
People who lived beneath power sometimes reproduced it downward.
Isabella had spent her life unable to challenge Vincent.
So she challenged servants.
Waiters.
Drivers.
Anyone safer.
“I was cruel to them.”
“Yes.”
“I’m not asking you to deny it.”
“Good.”
Isabella looked toward the hallway.
May you like
“I want to apologize.”
“Rosa decides whether she wants to hear it.”
