Chapter 3 - THE FIANCÉE WITH TWO FACES
Isabella Columbo had spent four years preparing to become Mrs. Dante Moretti.
She came from a powerful family.
Her father controlled several construction companies.
Her brother owned a chain of nightclubs.
And her uncle had once served as an adviser to Dante's late father.
The engagement had been arranged during a difficult period for the Moretti family.
Dante's older brother, Lorenzo, had recently died.
His mother had been ill.
And the family businesses were under pressure from rival organizations.
Marriage to Isabella promised stability.
At least on paper.
Now she sat in the drawing room, surrounded by people who were pretending not to watch her.
Dante entered.
He closed the door behind him.
“Isabella.”
She rose immediately.
“Darling, thank God. This has become ridiculous.”
He remained near the door.
“Did you poison the cherries?”
She stared.
“Of course not.”
“Did Victor give you a bottle?”
“No.”
“Did you enter the conservatory before dinner?”
She hesitated.
“I may have.”
Dante nodded.
“Then we can establish that.”
Isabella's eyes flashed.
“You believe that child over me?”
Dante looked at her.
“I believe evidence.”
She stepped closer.
“Dante, we've known each other for years.”
“Yes.”
“We're getting married.”
“Not tonight.”
Her face changed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means the wedding is not my priority.”
Isabella lowered her voice.
“You're humiliating me.”
Dante studied her.
“A woman was locked in my basement. Her daughter warned me that my food had been poisoned.”
He paused.
“Someone deserves answers.”
Isabella's eyes filled.
“You don't understand what you're doing.”
“Then help me understand.”
She looked toward the door.
For one moment, Dante thought she might confess.
Instead, she whispered:
“Victor said you would never notice.”
Dante went still.
“What?”
Isabella covered her mouth.
He took one step forward.
“What did Victor say?”
She began shaking.
“Nothing.”
“Isabella.”
She looked at him.
And suddenly the polished woman who had smiled through countless charity galas looked frightened.
“He said it would look natural.”
Dante felt something cold settle in his chest.
“What would?”
She shook her head.
“I didn't know he meant to hurt you.”
Dante stared.
“Then what did you think he meant?”
Isabella began crying.
“He told me the drops were medication.”
Dante looked at her.
“Medication for what?”
She had no answer.
He stepped back.
The woman he had planned to marry was either lying to him or dangerously willing to believe anything that served her interests.
Neither possibility offered comfort.
“Tell the investigators everything,” he said.
Isabella grabbed his arm.
“Dante, please.”
He gently removed her hand.
“You should speak to an attorney.”
When he left, Isabella sank into a chair.
She had believed Victor would protect her.
May you like
She had believed the plan was perfect.
And she had never imagined that a six-year-old child would destroy everything with five words.
