Chapter 33 Chapter 0033

Chapter 33 Chapter 0033
•ISABELLA•

A few days later, I had made up my mind and agreed to go on a date with Peter.

After several long phone calls, we finally settled on meeting at a quiet restaurant for our first official outing together.

I tried not to think about Antonio or his threats. My entire goal was to feel normal again, even if just for one evening, and to put as much distance as possible between me and his suffocating presence.

When I finished getting ready, I took extra care with my appearance. I wanted to look stunning, almost impossibly so, like a woman who belonged anywhere but in Antonio’s world.

An hour later, I arrived at the restaurant. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes immediately found Peter seated at a table near the window.

Sunlight softened his features, and when he looked up and saw me, his face lit up with a warm, genuine smile.

I turned to Kyle and told him to wait for me in the car before making my way over to Peter.

When I reached the table, he immediately stood up and pulled out my chair like a true gentleman.

“Thank you,” I said as I sat down.

He sat across from me, staring at me with clear admiration. “My goodness, you are so beautiful, Isabella. I can’t believe you’re really here with me. I feel like I’m dreaming.”

His words made my cheeks heat up, and to my surprise, I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Thank you, Peter,” I replied softly.

This date felt completely different from my time with Dante. Peter was kind, easy to talk to, and refreshingly normal.

We laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed our meal without any tension hanging over us.

For the first time in a long while, I felt light, happy, and free.

When the evening came to an end, Peter walked me to my car and opened the door for me before I climbed inside.

“I’ll see you on our second date, Isabella,” he said with a hopeful smile before closing the door and heading toward his own car behind ours.

Before I could even speak to Kyle, he started the engine and pulled away. I was so lost in my thoughts, replaying the night in my mind, that I barely noticed the drive home.

By the time we arrived, I was still smiling to myself as I stepped out of the car and hurried inside.

I was already excited to tell Sarah everything about Peter and how perfect the evening had been.

But the moment I opened the front door, my happiness vanished.

Antonio stood down the hallway, watching me with an unreadable expression as I walked in. My heart slammed painfully in my chest, and a cold chill ran through me.

Please don’t tell me he saw me, I thought desperately as I made my way toward the living room.

“Finally, you’re home, Isabella. How was your day?” he asked calmly.

I tried to avoid him and headed for the stairs. “My day was great, thank you, Antonio.”

“Who is he?” he suddenly asked, making me freeze in place.

My stomach dropped as I wondered if Kyle had told him something. I slowly turned my head to look at Antonio.

“What are you talking about?”

He studied me with a smirk. “Don’t act dumb with me, Bella. Who is he?”

I frowned, forcing myself to sound confused. “I don’t know what you mean. How am I supposed to answer if you won’t tell me what you’re talking about?”

Antonio pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a number without taking his eyes off me.

“Melo, did you get him? Where are you now? Alright, we’re waiting.”

He ended the call and looked at me again, his expression dark and dangerous.

My heart raced as images of Peter flashed through my mind, and I prayed he had made it home safely.

I walked toward Antonio, anger rising in me. “What is this, Antonio? Are you going to track every move I make and everyone I speak to?”

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I thought you said you didn’t know what I was talking about.”

Before I could respond, Melo’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Here he is, boss.”

I turned around and saw Melo approaching with a man beside him whose head was covered by a paper bag.

My blood ran cold the moment I realized who it was.

Peter.

My eyes widened in horror. “Antonio, what is this? Why is he here?”

My voice trembled as fear and rage battled inside me.

When they reached us, Melo removed the paper bag from Peter’s head. The second Peter saw me, his face filled with confusion and shock.

“What’s going on, Isabella? What am I doing here?” he asked, his voice shaking. His hands were tied tightly behind his back.

Antonio let out a low chuckle. “Oh boy. She didn’t tell you she’s married, did she?”

He stepped closer to Peter, towering over him before glancing at me. Peter turned to look at me, disbelief in his eyes.

“You’re married?” he muttered.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was paralyzed with fear, knowing exactly what Antonio was capable of.

Antonio turned back to Peter. “Yes, and I am her husband. You see, she forgets that I have eyes and ears everywhere. There’s nothing she can do that I won’t know about.”

My chest tightened, and I swallowed hard. “Let him go, Antonio, please. I won’t do it again, I promise. Just let him go.”

His gaze hardened. “I warned you, Bella. I told you that if I ever saw you with another man, I would kill him.”

He pulled out his gun and pointed it directly at Peter.
Peter panicked instantly. “Please, sir, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. My life is just beginning. Please don’t do this.”

Antonio looked at me coldly. “This is your fault, Bella. If you had listened to me, this man’s blood wouldn’t be on your hands.”

Before I could even scream, he cocked the gun and pulled the trigger.

The sound echoed through the house, and Peter’s body collapsed lifelessly to the floor beside Melo. A suffocating silence filled the room.

I stood frozen, staring at his body in pure disbelief, my world shattering around me.

Antonio leaned close to my ear and whispered. "You’re my wife. Don’t forget that."

He then turned around and walked away.