Chapter 39 The Day They Took Her Future
Isabella
They told her she was leaving early in the morning.
Not where.
Not why.
Just that she was leaving.
Two women she didn’t recognize entered her room quietly. They carried garment bags and boxes and the polite smiles of people who had been instructed to be kind.
“Good morning, Miss Romano,” one of them said softly. “We’re here to help you get ready.”
Isabella sat up slowly in bed.
Ready for what?
Her body still felt heavy, like her soul was wrapped in wet fabric. She hadn’t slept. She had only closed her eyes and waited for something to hurt.
Marco appeared in the doorway a moment later, dressed in a dark suit, composed, already finished with her.
“You’re coming with me,” he said. “We’re moving you.”
“Where?” she asked.
“To where you belong,” he replied.
That was all he gave her.
They didn’t let her pack. The women did it for her, choosing clothes from her wardrobe with careful, cheerful efficiency. Soft dresses. Neutral colors. Nothing that would make a statement.
Isabella didn’t protest.
There was no strength left in her to do that.
When she walked down the stairs of the Romano estate, she felt like she was walking away from herself. Her mother stood at the foot of them, hands pressed together, eyes shining.
“Bella,” she whispered. “Please—”
Marco stepped between them.
“This is necessary,” he said flatly. “Don’t make it harder.”
Isabella looked at her mother.
“I’m okay,” she lied quietly.
Her mother nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks.
They drove for over an hour.
Past Naples. Past the streets that still smelled faintly of espresso and salt. Past the hills that Isabella had once dreamed of escaping into.
When the gates of the Vitale estate opened, Isabella thought for a moment that they had taken her to a hotel.
The mansion was enormous — pale stone, wide windows, fountains cutting through manicured gardens. Everything looked peaceful.
Safe.
There were no guards at the gates.
No men with guns.
No obvious cameras.
Nothing.
Her heart sank.
Marco stepped out first, adjusting his cuffs like this was just another business meeting.
“This is where you’ll stay,” he said.
“With them?” she asked quietly.
“Yes.”
The Vitale family emerged as if they had been waiting for her arrival.
A woman in her forties with elegant black hair approached first. “Isabella, welcome,” she said warmly. “I’m Lucia Vitale. Luca’s mother.”
Another woman — younger, gentle-eyed — followed. “We’re so glad you’re here. You must be exhausted.”
Hands reached for her bag. Someone offered her water.
They smiled at her like she was already family.
Isabella stood there, numb.
“Come inside,” Lucia said. “We prepared your room.”
Marco didn’t look at her.
Not once.
He handed over her bag and turned away like a transaction had been completed.
The Vitale mansion swallowed her whole.
They treated her like glass.
Servants bowed slightly when she passed. Women asked what colors she preferred. A stylist gently touched her hair and asked if she liked soft waves or something more structured.
They laid dresses across her bed.
Silk.
Velvet.
Cashmere.
“So many choices,” Lucia said kindly. “We want you to feel beautiful.”
Isabella stared at the gowns.
They looked like costumes.
“What is this?” she asked softly.
“Preparations,” Lucia replied. “For your engagement.”
The word slid into her chest like ice.
“I didn’t agree,” Isabella said.
Lucia smiled sympathetically. “Of course not. This is difficult. But you’ll be safe here. That matters.”
Isabella went to the window.
The gardens stretched out in quiet beauty.
No fences.
No guards.
Nothing that looked like a prison.
And that made it worse.
No one was coming for her.
They wouldn’t need to fight.
She was already trapped.
The television played soft music and cooking shows.
Her world had been gently erased.
Alessandro
He found out from a secondary channel.
A whispered name in a message.
A hint in a financial report.
A Vitale payment that made no sense unless something was being prepared.
“Engagement,” his man said quietly.
Alessandro’s blood went cold.
“Where?”
“No location listed yet. Just a date.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Alessandro slammed his palm against the desk.
"Are they moving her,” he asked.
“She’s no longer at the Romano estate.” Then a report came in that she was seen in her room minutes ago. Was someone trying to confuse him or did they not have any real help from the inside anymore?
That made it worse.
And then Vitale.. a strong family. Not as strong as them but they had survived through every war. Almost no casualties. That was dangerous. They were hiding things that up to now no one questioned. They weren't important enough but he did know one thing. Vitale was not a man who gave anything without taking everything.
“Find the venue,” Alessandro ordered. “Find any event under Vitale’s name.”
They searched. Nothing under the Vitale name.
When they were ready to give up they found an engagement happening.
A private one.
The names were hidden.
But it was real.
“Get me everything,” Alessandro said. “Security. Guests. Timing.”
Hope flared.
This wasn’t going to be quiet.
Isabella
They fitted a ring to her finger.
Not the real one yet.
Just to see how it looked.
Lucia clasped her hands. “It’s perfect.”
Isabella didn’t respond.
Luca Vitale entered the room.
He smiled gently. “I’m glad you’re here.”
She didn’t look at him.
Outside the window, the gardens glowed in golden afternoon light.
Somewhere, Alessandro was happy with someone new
And she was just being given away.
Alessandro
“Everything points to tonight,” his man said.
Alessandro’s eyes burned.
“They think they’re safe,” he said.
“They think I won’t come.”
He picked up his gun.
“They’re wrong.”
The engines started.
The city waited.
And Alessandro De Luca went to take back what was his.