Chapter 44: Isabelle

My lips trembled as I held the phone to my ear, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty. I could feel my husband's suspicion through the line, his voice tense and guarded. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, before speaking in a shaky voice.

"I-I came back on my own, Alessandro," I began, my words barely audible. "I need you to meet me at the gate and bring Cara with you. I want you to set her free."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and my heart sank. I knew my husband didn't trust me, and I cann't blame him after all if I could get away why now. But I have to try, for Cara's sake.

"Isabelle, how did you get away from him?" Alessandro finally asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

I hesitated, trying to come up with a convincing answer. I can't tell him the truth, that I slept with Liam after falling for him. But i have to tell him something he will believe.

"I-I got him to truth me, he left the door unlocked" she said, her voice quivering. "But please, Alessandro, I'm begging you. Meet me at the gate and let Cara go. She doesn't deserve to be trapped like this."

There was another long pause, and I hold my breath, waiting for my husband's response. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine. I'll meet you at the gate, but I'll be bringing backup," he said sternly. "But when you get in here. I want the fucking truth."

My heart sinks even further, knowing that her husband still didn't fully trust my answer. But at least he was willing to meet my and let Cara go. I could only hope that I could convince him to let her go as well.

I stood at the gate, my heart racing as I waited for Alessandro to appear. It had only been a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity. Finally, he emerged with a few men in tow, and my eyes immediately landed on Cara. She was being held by her arm, her hand bound in front of her, and her face was covered in bruises. My stomach clenched at the sight.

Cara's eyes met mine and she called out my name, trying to step towards me. But Alessandro just pulled her back, his grip tightening on her arm. He looked me over, his cold gaze sending shivers down my spine. I was frozen in fear, knowing that the next few minutes were crucial. I needed to get Cara free and make sure I didn't end up getting myself killed in the process.

Alessandro asked me again "How you managed to gain Liam's trust and escape."

I saw the confusion in Cara's eyes and knew I needed to think fast before she revealed the truth. Without hesitation, I spat out the first thing that came to mind.

"I told Liam I would help take you down by sharing all the information I heard in the meetings," I lied, trying to sound convincing. Alessandro let out a laugh.

"You don't know anything about my operations."

But I stood my ground, "Everyone thinks I'm your perfect wife." I left out the part where I was really a prisoner in my own home. If he knew that Cara knew the truth, he would do anything to keep his secret safe.

He asked me "Did you just lie about anything else to gain my freedom?"

I know I have to tread carefully. So I admitted "Yes I had made up some things to earn a bit of freedom." I truly hope he wouldn't keep pressing for more details. My heart was racing, knowing that I was walking on thin ice. One wrong move and everything could come crashing down.

But thankfully, Alessandro seemed satisfied with my answer and motioned for his men to release Cara.

"Every well little liar she can go free and you will come inside." The threat is clear in his voice. As soon as she was free, I ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug. We both knew that we were far from safe, but for now, we were alive and that was all that mattered.

"Mickey is down the road he will take you home. Tell Liam I am so sorry for everything. Go now before he changes his mind." I let her go and pushed her down the road while I started walking towards Alessandro, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude that my plan had worked. I managed to outsmart him, even if it was just for a few moments.

As Alessandro's grip tightens around my arm, I can feel my heart racing with fear his strength is overpowering.

He begins dragging me towards the house, his grip like a vise on my arm. I can feel the bruises forming already. I don't try to protest and fight back, he is unrelenting and it will do me no good.

As we enter the house, he switches his grip to my hair, pulling me up the stairs. I stumble and fall, but he doesn't stop. My knees hit the stairs and pain shoots through my body, but my fear of Alessandro is stronger.

Once we reach my room, he throws me onto the floor and sneers down at me. "Clean yourself up," he orders, his voice dripping with disdain. "I can still smell that Irish bastard on you."

My heart clenches at the mention of Liam. I assume he means the fact I have been bathing with different soap and where clothes that Liam got me. He couldn't possibly know I had sex with him. I made sure to clean everything before I left.

"You have one hour," he continues, "to remove all traces of him from your body. And then, you will receive your punishment for leaving my side at the event and being kidnapped."

My mind races as he leaves the room, locking the door behind him. What is he going to do to me? My heart is pounding in my chest as I first decided to hide the gun under my pillow and run to the bathroom, I quickly wash myself, trying to remove any trace of Liam from my skin.

As I wait for the hour to pass, I can't help but think about how much my life has changed since meeting Alessandro. I used to be free, it might not have been a good life at least I had that but now I am under his control. And for what? Because I dared to be born into a family of drug addicts?

When the hour is up, Alessandro returns to my room. He looks at me with cold, calculating eyes and says, "It's time for your punishment."