Mia delicately tugged at the zipper of her dress, allowing it to slide down her shoulder. It halted midway between her waist, prompting her to pull harder, freeing it from her slender figure.
In the bedroom, the footsteps of Alex echoed as he approached the closet. The door creaked open, revealing Alex standing there, his piercing grey eyes fixed on Mia as she gracefully removed her dress.
" Mia, tell me, do you love Zayn?" Alex inquired, his gaze unwavering.
"No, why would you think so? The only attraction between us was familial, and that ceased to exist," she explained, meeting Alex's intense stare.
"Is this because of what Mom said, Alex? Trust me, she's manipulative. That's why I didn't allow her to tarnish your image in front of everyone. You're the one I love, and while we may not be exceptionally close, I would never leave you for anything," Mia declared, her eyes fixed on Alex.
"Alex, what were you doing with Isabelle tonight?" Mia questioned abruptly. "I saw her trying to approach you before I returned to the bedroom."
"Nothing much. I was there when she was discussing why Stell said what she did. I believe she was attempting to sow discord between us, wanting to create a divide through her instigations," Alex replied.
"She also claimed that Stell and you always favored Zayn, which is why our marriage isn't thriving," he disclosed.
"I always knew Isabelle was cunning," Mia responded, feeling her irritation rise as she pondered Isabelle's deceptive methods.
Her gaze which was usually warm now burned with intensity, showing the fiery storm that brewed within.
"Did you see Zayn and me when you were returning?" Mia asked, emerging from the closet in a different attire.
"Yes, I did. I witnessed you both together on my way back to the bedroom," Alex confirmed.
"I had a feeling those two were up to no good, and it seems my intuition was correct."
Mia slipped into a sweatshirt from the closet, grabbed a flip-flop from the bedside, and stormed out of the room with determination.
"I'm going to teach those two a lesson," she muttered as she walked out.
The lines on her forehead deepened, showing her displeasure.
Alex changed into a new suit and followed Mia outside the bedroom.
"Guards!" Mia called, clenching her fists.
"Yes, your highness. How can we serve you?" They chorused, running to bow in front of her.
"I want you to bring Isabelle and Zayn here now, on their knees," she commanded, and anger seeped out of her pores.
"Yes, your highness," they said and swiftly dispersed to carry out Mia's orders, without daring to question.
Seated on the sofa, Mia awaited the arrival of Zayn and Isabelle.
"Leave me alone, you schmucks!" Isabelle's screams echoed from outside. "Let me go, you nameless guards! How dare you force me to kneel just because Mia summoned me?" she yelled.
The guards paid no heed to her protests, ensuring she remained on her knees until reaching Alex.
"What is all of this, Mia? Why would your guards humiliate me like this?" Isabelle inquired.
"As you said, they're my guards, and they wouldn't act without my orders," Mia replied.
"What were you talking to my husband about, Isabelle?" Mia questioned.
"What? Your husband? I didn't even talk to your husband at all, let alone discuss anything with him."
A resounding slap echoed in the living room as Mia struck Isabelle. Horrified, Isabelle held her already swollen face.
"You just slapped me, Mia!" she exclaimed.
"You really don't want to test my patience, Isabelle. Tell me what you were talking to him about, or I'll have you beheaded and thrown to the vultures," Mia warned, her anger palpable.
"What are you doing, Mia? Why would you hit Isabelle like that?" Zayn's voice rang from the staircase.
"Oh, the accomplice is here. Zayn, I always thought you had a little bit of brains, but I never knew you could be so senseless," Mia retorted.
A puzzled look appeared on Zayn's face as he walked closer to Isabelle on the floor.
"Come, Isabelle, let's go," he said, attempting to lift her up, but she remained on her knees.
"Don't you dare, Zayn. If you attempt to help her, you'll face the consequences. You're free to try me out," Mia warned.
Ignoring Mia's words, Zayn moved to assist Isabelle from the ground.
"Guards!" Mia called again. They appeared instantly.
"Put him on his knees," she commanded.
"Ahhh!" Zayn screamed as he was kicked in the knee. The sound of breaking bone resonated through the room.
"You two dared to create a conflict between my husband and me, didn't you? Did you think he wouldn't tell Isabelle?" Mia asked, her face filled with disappointment.
"And you, Zayn, are so foolish to think my husband is as gullible as you," she said, turning to Zayn.
Shame and guilt weighed on their heads as they realized their attempts to create discord had failed.
"Lock them up in a cell. No food or water for three days. Ensure they do not leave until after those three days," Mia ordered as she stood up from the sofa.
"Mia, no, you can't do this. I was only trying to help," Isabelle pleaded, fearing the confinement in the pack's cell.
"You should have thought about that before making advances at my husband," Mia said and walked away.