Chapter 3: The No-Return Point

Isabella’s point of view

I raised my chin. “I can take care of myself.”

Her red lips twitched. "Are you able to?"

I forced myself to retain her stare.

I wouldn’t let her notice my dread.

I wouldn’t run.

Not now. Natalia leaned forward, her breath warm against my ear.

"Isabella, this is your only warning," she said. "Go now."

Then she withdrew, amusement glimmering in her eyes.

But you're not going to, are you? I remained silent.

Since she was correct. I wouldn't leave.

Not from Tony. Not from this battle. Of how risky it became.

I clutched the divorce papers until my knuckles turned white as I stood outside the courthouse. My heart thumping against my ribs, the air heavy with tension.

It was this. The instant I was at last free.

I entered and walked toward the clerk's desk, my heels clicking on the marble floors. I tried to keep my voice steady as I said, "I'd like to file for divorce."

Taking the papers, the woman hardly looked up. "Name?"

I said, "Isabella Carter."

She swept her fingers across the keyboard. "What is the name of your husband?"

I took a swallow. "Carter, Daniel."

After a moment of hesitation, the woman's hands raised to look at me. She recognized him. Everyone did.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she questioned softly.

Indeed. I gave a nod. “I’m sure.” She stamped the papers. "It's finished."

A trembling sigh left my lips.

It was official. I was done with him. Or so I thought. I barely made it back to my car when my phone rang. Daniel. I ignored it.

Then another call. And another.

By the sixth, my gut twisted with uneasiness. I picked up.

“Isabella,” he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. “I just got the most interesting call from my lawyer.”

I said nothing. Through the phone came a chuckle. He snarled, "You think you can leave me?" “Without me, you are nothing.”

I clenched my fingers around the steering wheel. "Observe me."

He stopped laughing. "Oh, my dear. What you just did is unknown to you.

A shiver ran up my back.

"Want to engage in some gaming?" He whispered. "All right. Come on, let's play.

The line died. Daniel wasn't going to let me go easily, and I knew that.

I sat in Tony’s office, my nerves on edge.

I told him, "I did it." "I filed for divorce."

Tony's look was unreadable as he reclined in his chair. "And?"

“And now Daniel’s furious.”

His lips twitched. “Good.”

I shot him a look. “Good? Tony, he’s not going to let this go. He’s going to come after me.”

Tony exhaled, setting down his whiskey glass. “Then it’s time we show him what happens when he tries to control something that isn’t his.”

It sent a chill down me.

"What is meant by that?"

Tony stood, buttoning his jacket. “It means war.” I barely had time to react before he picked up his phone.

“Pull the trigger,” he said, his voice sharp. “I want Carter Industries burning by sunrise.”

I sucked in a breath. This was no longer merely a divorce.

It was a war declaration.

Daniel's empire was in ruins before sunrise.

His stock was falling, his investors were pulling out, and his company's dubious activities were coming to light.

I watched the news, my pulse racing.

Tony had done this. Overnight, he had deprived Daniel of his authority.

However, I experienced terror rather than relief.

Since Daniel was someone I knew.

And I knew he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

With trembling hands, I rummaged through Daniel's desk drawers in his office.

Something had to be there.

Something I could use to end him. Then I found it. A hidden file, thick with forged contracts, fake accounts, and illegal transactions.

Evidence showed Daniel had been stealing millions of dollars.

My breath caught. It was this. My ticket to freedom was this.

I took the file and held it close to my breast before turning. Only to discover Camilla in the doorway.

I felt sick to my stomach. "What are you doing?" I insisted.

She smiled. "Tidying your mess up."

She grabbed the file out of my hands before I could respond.

"No," I gulped and sprang for it. She took a step back and kept it out of her grasp. She crooned, "Isabella, poor you." "So dumb all the time."

I rolled my fists up. "What are you doing?"

She chuckled. Daniel pays me more than you ever will, so that's why.

My chest hurt. "He's using you", Camilla.

“No,” she cut me off. “I’m using him.”

Then she turned and walked away, file in hand.

And suddenly, I lost my only leverage. The charity gala was packed.

Under crystal chandeliers, the most influential people in the city socialized, drank champagne, and laughed.

And in the middle of everything—

Daniel stood with a smug grin on his face, holding a microphone.

My heart pounded as I stood motionless.

I should have stayed home. But I was powerless. Not when I knew I was going to be ruined by Daniel.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a silky voice. "I want to dedicate this event to a very special woman tonight."

My blood froze. His eyes were shining with sly laughter as he turned to face me.

"Isabella, my wife." There was a conversation among the people.

I made myself remain still. Daniel's grin grew as he went on. "Sadly, it appears that my beloved wife has... lost her way."

The lights went down.

Pictures flickered on the enormous screen.

Me beside Tony.

He entered his penthouse covertly.

Kissing him. The room was filled with gasps.

My throat shut. I sensed the judgment, the murmurs, and the looks.

Daniel's tone was full of sarcastic grief. "What a shame," he moaned. "She chose to betray me even though I gave her everything."

Falsehoods. All falsehoods.

My mouth opened, but nothing came out.

The room was interrupted by a voice.

Deep, silky, and dangerous.

"That's sufficient." The crowd dispersed.

And there he was. Tony.

His suit was flawless, and his face was murderous as he strode toward me.

The strain broke. Tony turned to Daniel in front of everyone and spoke the words that would make all the difference.

"Want to go to war? You've got it.