Chapter 116
The redness and swelling on Isabella's cheeks stood out even more in the cold wind, but she didn't seem to feel the pain.
Her gaze was lowered, her thoughts drifting to a dark, painful, and violent scene.
What if she had been there?
When Vitale's men dragged Chris into the basement, when those heavy tools were brought out, when the first scream echoed.
If she had been there, watching and listening, what would she have done?
Isabella knew the answer.
She would have softened.
She would have grabbed Vitale's arm and, with a trembling voice, said, "Enough, let him go."
But would Vitale listen?
Would Vitale, who loved her so much he'd fight the whole world for her, be willing to let go of someone who had hurt her just because she begged him to?
Isabella wasn't sure.
Because Vitale's love had two sides—one was gentle possession, the other was violent protection.
He wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her, to covet her, or to get away with harming her.
His logic was simple and brutal: anyone who hurt Isabella had to pay a price, and the price depended on the extent of the harm.
Sonia looked at Isabella's silent expression, assuming she was struggling, wavering, torn between morality and love.
A smug smile crept onto Sonia's lips, and she was about to open her mouth to mock her further.
But Isabella spoke first.
"Men like him paying the price for stupid reasons is normal."
"You should know what Chris did to me. He harassed me, waited for me downstairs at my apartment, sent those disgusting texts, and even after I clearly warned him I'd call the police, he didn't stop."
"He thought he could control me, own me, just because I looked weak, like an easy target."
Isabella paused, her fingers unconsciously brushing over her swollen cheek.
"Vitale feels bad for me. He taught Chris a lesson for me, and I think that's fine. At least now, Chris won't show up downstairs at my apartment anymore, won't send those texts, and won't make me feel scared walking home at night."
She looked at Sonia, the corner of her mouth lifting into a smile with no warmth.
"And besides, Chris still has his life, doesn't he? Vitale could've gone much further, but he didn't."
"He gave Chris a way out, even if it's a life with a disability. In Vitale's world, that's already mercy."
The air seemed to freeze.
Aria and Doria stood behind Isabella, their expressions full of shock.
They had known Isabella for years, seen her gentle side, her angry side, her crying side, but never had they seen her so cold.
But they didn't lecture her.
Because they were her friends, and they stood by her side.
Even if they didn't fully understand or agree.
They knew what Isabella had been through, knew how vicious Sonia and Colt could be, and knew what Vitale meant to her.
So they chose to stay quiet, to support her, to stand with her in the storm.
Colt stared at Isabella, a strange glint in his eyes that she couldn't read.
He licked his lips and smiled.
"Isabella, you look captivating right now. I mean, better than a decorative vase."
"Really, the old you was beautiful, but like fragile porcelain, needing to be carefully protected, displayed in a glass case."
"But now, you've got teeth, claws. You fight back, protect yourself, and defend the people you love, even if it means embracing the darkness."
He paused, his gaze lingering on Isabella, "Vitale turned you into someone else—someone stronger, more dangerous, more interesting."
Sonia's face instantly turned pale.
She spun around, her high heel slamming into Colt's shin.
"You jerk!" she screamed, her voice twisted with jealousy and humiliation, "You're my husband! You can't be charmed by this stupid little sister of mine! She's a slut, a mobster's mistress, a cold-blooded monster! You can't—"
Colt grabbed Sonia's wrist. His movement looked gentle, but the strength made it impossible for her to break free.
He pulled Sonia closer, leaning down to whisper something in her ear.
His voice was too low for Isabella to hear, but she could see Sonia's expression shift from anger to grievance, and finally to reluctant submission.
"Of course, the woman I love most is still you," Colt said, lifting his head to Sonia, though his eyes were on Isabella, "Always has been. But we should admit, Isabella has changed. She's not someone we can bully anymore. She's got backing, power, and determination."
Just then, Henley stepped out from the shadows.
He didn't hide anymore, walking straight to Isabella's side, his cold gaze sweeping over Sonia and Colt.
"You should leave. From now on, don't spread any more rumors about Chris and Ms. Martinez."
"If I hear any gossip about this again, Mr. Luca will be very unhappy. And when he's unhappy..."
He didn't finish, but the unspoken threat was more effective than any specific warning.
Sonia looked at Henley and suddenly laughed.
The laughter was sharp and unnatural, full of resentment and sarcasm.
"Of course, Vitale's bodyguard is here to warn us. We'll behave."
"But I think Mr. Luca shouldn't deceive Isabella. She's got a weird temper—she hates being lied to the most."
"Do you know, Henley? When we were kids, I tricked her into thinking Mom left a birthday gift for her in the attic. She ran up there excitedly, only to get locked in all night. Since then, she's never trusted anyone again."
Sonia paused, a malicious smile curling on her lips, "Until Vitale came along. She trusted him. But what if one day she finds out Vitale is deceiving her, too? What if she discovers there are more details about the Chris situation?"
Henley's brow furrowed.
He glanced at Isabella, his expression complicated.
"There's a misunderstanding here. I think I can explain on behalf of Mr. Luca. But if you don't want to hear it now, you can ask Mr. Luca yourself. I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you the reason."
He was giving Isabella a choice—listen to the explanation now or ask Vitale herself.
He was also warning Sonia to stop trying to stir up trouble.
Isabella stayed silent for a few seconds, her fingers lightly rubbing her swollen cheek.
Then she nodded, her voice calm.
"Alright, I will. I'll ask Vitale myself."
"But right now, Sonia has ruined my meet-up with my friends. It's rare for us to get together, and you've spoiled it. I think, Henley, you should teach them a lesson, not just warn them."
Sonia's face changed instantly.
She stared at Isabella in disbelief, her lips trembling with shock and anger.
"Isabella! You bitch! How dare you treat me like this! I'm your sister! You should respect me, love me, not let this mobster's lackey teach me a lesson!"
Isabella shook her head mockingly, the gesture elegant yet cold.
"Sorry, when you're raging and cursing at me, I don't feel like admitting you're my sister."
"You hit me, insulted me, spread rumors about me, and tried to ruin my life. At that moment, you stopped being my sister."
"You're just a stranger who needs to be taught a lesson."
Aria, standing nearby, felt things were getting out of control.
She quietly tugged at Isabella's arm, whispering, "Isabella, I don't think we need to make this a big deal. There are too many people around. They might take photos or videos and post them online. You'll get attacked on the internet. And if Vitale gets dragged into this, it'll be even messier."
Doria nodded, looking nervous, "Yeah, Isabella, if I show up online and get criticized with you, it'll be hard for my husband. You know he's in politics. He can't have any scandals. And Sonia is still your sister, no matter what she's done. Blood ties can't be cut."
Isabella looked at her friends' worried faces and sighed.
She knew they were right. Teaching Sonia and Colt a lesson on the street would only make things worse, bringing more trouble to her and Vitale.
But she didn't want to just let them off either.
Sonia needed to understand that Isabella wasn't someone she could bully anymore.
She thought for a moment, then turned to Henley with a mischievous smile.
"Alright, alright, I get it," she said, her voice light again, "So, Henley, please escort Sonia and Colt back to their hometown. Of course, do it with the thrill of a high-speed ride, you know, the kind that gets your heart racing and adrenaline pumping. I'm sure they'll love it."
In reality, Isabella knew Sonia hated speeding cars. Her heart wouldn't be able to take it, and she'd probably scream louder than she did in bed.