Chapter 113
As she was lost in thought, Isabella's phone rang. It was Henley calling.
"Ms. Lorraine, Mr. Luca said you can buy anything you like. Enjoy your shopping."
Henley hung up right after that.
The busy tone from the phone echoed in her ear, and Isabella's cheeks felt slightly warm.
The feeling of being cherished was both unfamiliar and intoxicating.
That dangerous and complicated Vitale was telling her in his own way. I'm watching you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm willing to give you everything you want.
But with that came confusion and a faint sense of unease.
How did Vitale know she was here?
Isabella looked around, peering through the glass window at the street outside.
On the winter streets of Thalassia, people hurried by in thick coats, and cars moved slowly on the wet, snowy roads.
Nothing seemed out of place. No black Mercedes parked nearby, no bodyguards in suits and sunglasses lingering around.
But Henley had to be close.
He must be.
Otherwise, how could Vitale know so quickly that she tried on a necklace? How could he arrange the payment instantly?
And how was the payment even made?
Henley didn't even come into the store or talk to the salesperson.
Was it over the phone? Some kind of app? Or did Vitale already have an arrangement with this store, so that whenever Isabella showed up and liked something, a system would automatically kick in?
The thought made Isabella feel both valued and a bit uneasy, like she was being watched. Vitale's world was full of control, precise planning, and silent manipulation.
And now, that control extended to her personal time, her outings with friends, and her simplest joys.
But a small voice in her heart whispered, 'This is the price of loving him.'
Loving a dangerous man means accepting the way he protects you.
A protection that can sometimes feel suffocating, but does keep you safe from harm.
"Isabella?" Aria's voice pulled her back to reality.
Isabella looked up and saw the concern on Aria's face.
Her friend walked over and gently touched her arm.
"You look kind of worked up. What did Henley say?"
Isabella took a deep breath, "Vitale bought this necklace for me, and Henley said I can get anything I like and put it on Vitale's tab."
"But I'm wondering how he knows we're here, shopping, and that I tried on this necklace. Did he put a tracker on me or something?"
Aria's eyes widened, and then she suddenly had a look of realization.
"Oh my God!"
"Is Mr. Luca trying to remind us to get back to work because it's Wednesday at 3 p.m., and we're supposed to be in the office dealing with those awful financial reports?"
Isabella couldn't help but laugh at Aria's ridiculous guess and shook her head, "No, I don't think so. Vitale never reminds me about work like this. If he wanted me back, he'd just call and say so. He wouldn't buy me a diamond necklace."
Her voice softened as she said the last few words, carrying a hint of disbelief mixed with sweetness.
Doria joined them, catching Vitale's name in the conversation.
Her expression turned nervous, and she grabbed Isabella's arm, "Is your man coming? Does that mean I get to meet the legendary guy? Oh God, I'm a bit nervous and super curious."
"What does he even look like? Is he like in the movies, wearing a tailored suit, sunglasses, with a bunch of bodyguards behind him, walking like he owns the place?"
Isabella laughed at her description, feeling her unease lighten a bit.
"No, he's not coming, at least not now. He just gave me this."
She pointed to the necklace around her neck, the diamonds sparkling under the light.
"I'm just curious why he did this. It's a bit over the top."
Doria took Isabella's hand, her eyes gentle.
"There's no reason, Isabella. This is love, the simplest and purest kind of love."
"When a man falls for you, he wants to give you everything, to make you happy, to see the surprise on your face when you get a gift."
Isabella paused, her smile turning a little shy, "I've always been loved like this by my husband, Elliot. You know Elliot is always so busy, he barely has time for himself."
"So I usually shop alone or with friends, but whenever I like something, I just tell the salesperson to put it on his account, and the item gets delivered to our house. He's always the one paying."
"This is how men show their affection, at least the men in our lives. Not every man does this—only those who truly love you and are willing to express it in every way."
Isabella took in these words, feeling the confusion in her heart slowly replaced by warmth.
Maybe Doria was right.
This wasn't control or surveillance, just Vitale's way of showing love.
In the most direct and extravagant way he knew.
Aria nodded beside her, "Yeah, and it's super romantic. Imagine this: you're out shopping, and suddenly you get a diamond necklace, secretly bought by your man. That's way more romantic than boring dinners or roses!"
"Isabella, you should be thrilled. You should buy more stuff, clear out the whole store, and make Vitale go broke!"
The three women burst into laughter, and the mood lightened up again.
Just as they relaxed and started looking at other jewelry in the store, the wind chime at the door jingled.
A familiar figure walked in.
Isabella's heart sank.
Sonia.
Her sister, the woman who always took pleasure in hurting her.
Sonia was wearing an expensive mink coat.
Despite yearly protests from animal rights groups, she still insisted on wearing it.
Beside her were two women who looked like socialites, the three of them laughing loudly and gossiping about some charity gala.
Sonia's gaze casually swept across the store, then suddenly stopped.
Her eyes locked on Isabella, or more precisely, on the necklace around Isabella's neck.
Sonia let go of her companions' arms and walked straight toward Isabella.
"Isabella, long time no see, my dear sister."
Isabella's body tensed, but she replied calmly, "Sonia, it has been a while."
Sonia's eyes were fixed on the diamond necklace around her neck.
Her gaze was pure calculation and assessment.
Isabella could almost see Sonia's mind racing.
What brand is this necklace? How many carats? How much does it cost? How could Isabella afford it?
Then Sonia smiled, "This ruby necklace is gorgeous. Can I try it on? I want to see how it looks."
She reached out as if to take the necklace right off Isabella's neck.
Isabella stepped back, dodging her hand.
"No."
Sonia's expression darkened instantly.
She pulled her hand back, crossed her arms, and tilted her chin up slightly, "Why not? Can you even afford it, Isabella? We both know what you earn."
"Even if Tyson Group pays you well, this necklace is way out of your league."
Her gaze turned sharp and mocking, "So, which man gave it to you this time?"
Aria couldn't help but scoff, "Sonia, this necklace was bought for Isabella by her man. Didn't you know?"
"Oh, right, how could you? You haven't spoken to Isabella in months, not since you said those disgusting things in front of her ex-boyfriend."
Sonia's face changed, and she shot Aria a glare.
Doria spoke up too, her voice calm but firm, "Sonia, why do you always try to take Isabella's things? Men, jewelry, clothes—you want it all. But every time, you act like Isabella stole something from you. You're really shameless."
Those words made Sonia's face turn red with anger.
She dared to snap at Isabella and roll her eyes at Aria, but Doria?
The wife of a politician, a prominent figure in social circles—she wasn't someone Sonia could easily offend.
So Sonia directed all her venom at Isabella instead.
"Isabella, you still haven't cut ties with Vitale? God, he can't actually like you, can he? You're not still sleeping with him, are you? I thought you had at least some self-respect, not to keep being the boss's mistress."
Her voice echoed through the quiet jewelry store, sounding especially harsh.
Other customers and the staff turned their heads, their eyes shifting between them, full of curiosity and awkwardness.
Isabella felt the blood rush to her face, but not from shame—from anger.
She'd had enough.
Enough of Sonia's insults, enough of being humiliated in public, enough of this endless, toxic sisterly relationship.
She stepped forward, almost nose-to-nose with Sonia, "Don't talk nonsense. Vitale and I are in a real relationship. He's not my boss; he's my boyfriend, the man I love."
She paused, watching Sonia's shocked expression.
Clearly, Sonia hadn't expected Isabella to fight back so openly.
"And besides," Isabella continued, "I don't need to prove anything to you or explain myself. My life, my love, my choices—none of them have anything to do with you."
The entire jewelry store fell into complete silence.
Sonia opened her mouth, ready to say something, to retaliate, to attack Isabella with even nastier words.
But just then, the door to the jewelry store swung open again.
A man walked in.