Chapter 72 I made her mine.
Dante’s POV.
The press room was full of reporters when we stepped in.
Cameras were flashing at every corner.
Their eyes never left us for a fleeting second.
But I didn’t waver, I held her close to me.
Let them watch, let curiosity wander through them.
My hands grabbed hers, as we walked to the press stage.
“What is she doing here?” Someone said, eyes on Isla.
“You still have the courage to show yourself here? Aren’t you ashamed?” Another said.
I didn’t say anything, her eyes flickered, but she didn’t stop to look at them.
“I know you all have been curious, and want answers about what has been happening lately.”
My eyes searched the crowd coldly, my hand never left hers.
“I made a mistake a year ago. I was supposed to have a contract marriage with the Bennettie family, but I made my brother, Damian marry Isla in my place.”
A gasp rippled through the room.
“He didn’t sign the contract marriage, I did. My name was written on it, not his.”
Another gasp rippled through the air.
“Why didn’t you honor the marriage?” A voice came from the stage.
“Because I felt she wasn’t good enough for me. But now, I want to make her mine.”
“Isla is my wife. Anything you heard or saw about her on the internet about cheating on her husband with his twin brother are only rumors.”
She gripped my hand tightly, placing her heels on my shoes.
A scream almost left my throat.
“I apologize for the misunderstanding and hope you don’t hold it against her. If you have any issues with that, come to me.”
The room went dead silent.
My eyes found Damian at the back of the room, smirking.
“Sorry, brother. I have to do this,” I whispered to myself.
The way he looked at her, like he wanted to devour her made my stomach flip.
“This press comes to an end,” I said, as I walked away with her.
She pulled away when we arrived at the hallway.
“Why were you looking at him that way?” I asked.
“Looking at what?” She said pretending not to know what I was talking about.
“At my brother. I saw the way he looked at you.”
“What? Are you jealous?”
My throat went dry.
Yes I was jealous. I already made her mine, nobody dares to look at her that way.
But I feel uneasy.
What if she doesn’t really choose or love me like she had said.
What if she’s just mine in name, not at heart?
I tried to shake those thoughts off my head.
“We’re having a dinner celebration tonight. Just the two of us.” I announced.
“ I don’t see any reason why this calls for a celebration.” She cut me off.
Hmmm. Why is she so hard to reach?
“Okay, okay. Not a celebration, just a dinner date.”
“I’m not interested.” She said as she wobbled her legs away.
No matter how hard you try, you cannot resist me.
“You finally got what you always wanted.” A voice came from behind.
Damian.
“I really wronged you on this one, brother. I apologize.” I replied, turning to face him.
I understand how he felt. But she was mine, and couldn’t stand and watch him have her.
“No need for apologies, brother. As long as it makes you happy. Just know I’m not backing down easily.”
His words sent a chill down my spine.
Damian had never been this sad before.
I was too busy satisfying myself, ignoring his emotions.
Guilt was eating me up.
I just hope he forgives me this time. Because if he doesn’t, I’d spend the rest of my life in agony.
“Don’t make her sad,” he said as he walked away.
“I won’t dare.” I whispered.
The day was almost over.
Whispers had already died out, Isla was in her post, and I have been drowning in my own thoughts.
Everyone had left, it was just the two of us.
She hadn’t said anything to me after the press, her expression was still as cold as it had been.
And it was killing me.
I had her now, I could do whatever I wanted with her.
But I couldn’t, not when she wasn’t interested.
I wasn’t the kind of person that forced people to do whatever I wanted without their approval.
We arrived at the dinner date, hand in hand, pretending to be a loving couple.
We are a couple, except she hadn’t accepted my pleas yet.
She pulled away the moment we stepped into the private room.
I had asked my assistant to design it according to her taste.
Even if she doesn’t forgive me yet, I wanted her to know that I was being sincere about my feelings.
“I had my assistant design it according to your preferences. Hope you like it.” I said, pulling a seat for her.
“You’re really trying so hard.”
“I just want you to know that I’m being honest.”
She let out a deep sigh. “You didn’t have to do much. What if I’m not impressed?”
“Then I’ll keep pushing till you are.”
A smirk tugged at the side of her face, her hands gripped the table as her knuckles turned white.
“I ordered your favorite dishes too. You can have a taste.”
She reached for the cutlery, and started digging in.
“This tastes amazing.”
“I knew you would love it,” a smile slipped my lips.
“I wasn’t mad at you because you lied to me.”
“I was mad at you because I didn’t get to hear the truth from you, Dante.”
My heart sank.
“Damn, Lucia.” I muttered.
“I’m so sorry that had to happen. I didn’t expect her to eavesdrop on me.”
“That’s in the past, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Does that mean you’ve forgiven me?” I asked, eyes wide.
“Just give me time to think about it. I’ll get back to you.”
A sigh of relief left my lungs.
“Thank goodness. There’s still hope for me.”