Chapter 4: A Perilous Partnership

Isabella’s POV

With my hands shaking, I inhaled deeply as the gala's doors slammed behind us. The chilly night air was a harsh reminder that I had just been publicly torn apart, and it felt like a slap on my warm skin. My reputation and my name were now tarnished. Daniel had seen to that.

Tony tightened his hold on my wrist and dragged me over to his beautiful black vehicle. "Climb in." There was no place for debate in his forceful, quiet voice.

Still reeling from what had just transpired, I hesitated. The looks, the whispers, and Daniel's smug grin made it seem like he had triumphed. Had he?

"Isabella." Tony's voice grew piercing, drawing my eyes to him. Something deadly flared in his dark look. "Don't make me say it again."

With my heart hammering against my ribs, I slid into the passenger seat. The engine sprang to life as soon as the door closed, and Tony drove off from the place where I had destroyed everything.

There was a lot of silence between us. I wanted to talk, to say anything, but my throat was too constricted. I tried to stop my hands from shaking by pressing them against my lap.

With a firm hold on the wheel, Tony said, "You're too quiet." "Speak to me."

"What can be said?" As I stared out at the city lights that were fading past us, I said. Daniel carried out his wishes precisely. I was ruined by him.

Tony snorted. "He believes he destroyed you." There was a frightening confidence in his voice. "But it's not over yet."

My chest tightened as I turned to face him. "You're not getting it. They believed him, those individuals in there. To them, I was just his desperate, infidelity-prone wife. In what way do you recover from that?

Tony's mouth tightened. "You don't return from it." He turned to me as he abruptly stopped the vehicle in front of a tall skyscraper. "They regret ever doubting you because of you."

I shook my head and laughed bitterly. "I don't have that kind of power, but that sounds nice."

Tony lowered his voice to a whisper as he leaned closer. "You do." You simply haven't noticed it yet.

The intensity of his look made my breath catch.

My phone buzzed in my lap before I could reply. The sight of Daniel's name flashing on the screen made my stomach turn.

Tony took the phone out of my hands and answered it for me when I hesitated. "She has had enough of your nonsense." He spoke in a chilly tone.

On the other end, I could hear Daniel laughing. "Oh, is she thinking that? Don't allow your tiny plaything to give you false hope, Isabella, my love.

Tony's knuckles turned white as his fist clenched over the phone. "Daniel, I think you should worry about yourself."

"Oh, I don't care." Daniel's voice became piercing. Whether Isabella likes it or not, she is still mine. She is unable to leave me or get a divorce. She will regret it if she tries.

Tony handed the phone back to me and hung up, his face unreadable.

I took a deep breath.

One thing Daniel was correct about. I would have to battle for my freedom.

And I was prepared to do so for the first time.

There was a lot of tension in the air as Tony led me into the penthouse. He took off his jacket and tossed it over the back of a chair without saying anything. His actions were precise, incisive, and brimming with controlled rage.

"Who was it?" I broke the stillness by asking.

His brow furrowed as he turned to face me. "What was the person?"

I explained, "The person you called on the way here." "This wasn't over, you said. What were you trying to say?

Tony let out a breath, his eyes meeting mine. "I meant that you have to do more than just sign some divorce papers if you want to remove Daniel." He took out a sleek black folder from his desk drawer. "You must be prepared to ruin him."

I took the folder after hesitating. I took a deep breath when I opened it.

Images, records, and papers—proof of Daniel's dishonesty, his illicit activities, and the web of lies he had woven for years. My gut twisted as I turned the pages, my hands shaking.

"From where did you obtain this?" I said.

Tony's face was unreadable as he sat on the edge of his desk. "I've had people observing Daniel for a while now."

I looked up into his eyes. "Why?"

His lips curved into a wicked sneer. "Because men who believe they have control over things that are not theirs bother me."

My throat tightened with each breath.

Tony spoke softly as he leaned forward. "There's no turning back once you take this step, Isabella. Daniel won't just sit back and concede defeat once we expose him. He will fight. He will pursue you more assiduously than previously.

It sent a chill down me.

"What if he prevails?" I said.

Tony's face became lethal. "He won't."

My fingers clenched around the folder as I gulped forcefully. For years, I had been terrified of Daniel, following his instructions and allowing him to control my life. However, this was my opportunity.

With a calmer tone now, Tony stated, "You have to be prepared to fight for freedom if you desire it."

With my heart racing, I looked up at him.

I had no idea when the fear inside of me began to transform into something more powerful.

Perhaps it was the way Tony looked at me as if he understood that I was more than Daniel had led me to believe.

Perhaps it was because I had a choice for the first time in my life.

I was prepared to accept it.

With a shaky gasp, I closed the folder. "What am I supposed to do?"

A knowing smile curved Tony's lips.

"Dear, welcome to the game."

I didn't get any sleep that evening. I was feeling a lot of different emotions, including fear, rage, and confusion. For the first time, I felt like I had some control since Tony had given me a choice and a genuine opportunity to defend myself. However, I understood in my heart that this was no longer simply about Daniel. It has to do with me. Regarding reclaiming the life that had been taken from me.

I made up my mind by dawn. I had to speak to Camilla.

She greeted me with a sly, knowing smirk as if she had been anticipating my arrival at her apartment. While enjoying her morning coffee, she reflected, "Look who finally grew a backbone." Still wearing her silk robe, she was relaxing like a war-winning queen.

Feeling frustrated, I shoved past her and into her opulent abode. Camilla, why? With her, my voice was sharper than I had ever allowed it to be. "What would make you betray me in this way?"

With a dramatic sigh, she put down her cup. "Oh, Isabella, stop being so shocked. The weak one has always been you. The unsuspecting one. The person who believed that fairy tales and love were the only things in life. She tilted her head and folded her arms. And where did you end up? Like a bird in a cage, stuck in a bad marriage.

Even though her comments hurt, I didn't let them shatter me. I retorted, "That still doesn't explain why you sided with Daniel." "You gave him the proof that would have set me free. Why?

A harsh curve formed on Camilla's lips. "Because Daniel gave me power, which you could never have."

Disbelief swept over me as I looked at her. "You'd do this to gain power?"

Her voice fell into a hauntingly serene tone as she took a step closer. "Do you not understand? Living in your shadow as your little sister was never going to be me. All my life, I observed you, Isabella—you were flawless, kind, and submissive. I loathed you, yet everyone felt sorry for you. You had everything: the life I deserved, Dad's affection, and his legacy. But right now? She gave a little laugh. You have nothing now. Daniel also trusts me. His strength.

A shiver went down my body. Daniel wasn't the only person involved. This had to do with her animosity toward me.

I gave a headshake. Do you believe Daniel will provide you with authority? Camilla, you're being used by him. He will discard you, just as he is doing to me, as soon as you are no longer useful.

Something unintelligible flashed in Camilla's eyes, but she immediately covered it up with apathy. "Perhaps. However, I would rather take that chance than spend my life as a victim. She smiled as she took another sip of her coffee. "Is it the same for you?"

I balled my fists. I pivoted, making my way to the door, but not before glancing over my shoulder. "You just committed the greatest error of your life."

Camilla let out a slow, derisive laugh. “Dear sister, we’ll check on that.”

My determination solidified as I ventured out into the chilly morning air. Camilla was gone. My family was gone. However, I refused to lose who I was.

Daniel desired to shatter me.

Camilla wants my erasure. However, I had no intention of leaving.

I had just had time to digest my chat with Camilla when I got a surprise SMS.

Come see me. This evening. The living room. Come by yourself. – Natalia

My heartbeat accelerated as I looked at the television. Natalia. Tony's former partner. The woman who had previously cautioned me against him. Now, what did she want?

I was torn between curiosity and uneasiness, but I knew that I needed answers.

I was nervous when I entered the darkened lounge that evening. As I got closer, Natalia was already waiting at a quiet booth, her sharp eyes fixed on me.

"Sit," she ordered.

With a bland attitude, I slid into the seat opposite her. "What are you looking for?"

She looked at me for a long time and then smiled. "You make me think of myself."

I scowled. "What is the intended meaning of that?"

Natalia lowered her voice and leaned forward. "Don't you believe Tony is your saviour? Can you get rid of him? Her laughter was dry. "I had the same thought once."

A stab of discomfort landed in my chest. I retorted, "Tony isn't my way out." "I'm defending myself."

Natalia's forehead raised. "Are you? Because you appear to be a woman being dragged directly into the flames from where I am seated. With a gentle clink, she put down her drink after taking a sip. Isabella, Tony is hazardous. He owns his enemies, not simply destroys them. And believe me when I say that there is no getting out once you are his.

My stomach turned over. "You're telling lies."

Natalia smiled. "Am I?" She took one picture out of her bag and slid it across the table.

I picked it up after hesitating. My blood turned cold as soon as my eyes met the picture.

Tony was the one. Younger. His blood-stained suit. At his feet was a body, its face hidden. Over him, Tony had a gloomy, scary expression that made my skin crawl.

With my hands shaking, I looked up at Natalia. "What is this?"

It was impossible to read Natalia's expression. "The authentic Tony DeLuca."

I took a deep breath.

She whispered, "I'm giving you one last warning." "You won't live to regret it, so leave him now."

There was a tight stillness between us.

My thoughts were racing as I gripped the picture tightly.

My entire being cried out for me to get out and flee as far away from Tony as I could.

But I knew the truth in my heart.

I had no intention of leaving. I was unable to.

I needed Tony, no matter how dangerous he was or what secrets he kept.

I had the uneasy impression that he was also aware of that.