all had been brief, yet his presence had become all-consuming. Every word, every gesture from him felt like it had been careful

as enough to make her tremble. Every time their eyes met, it was as though the world outside didn't exist.

ice breaking through her thoughts. His tone was calm, yet it held

on't know what you want me to say," she replied, her voice more

Isabella?" he asked, his voice low and laced with sarcasm. "No, I'm inte

her spine. "I don't eve

n on her chest, making it harder to breathe. "Your place," he said slowly, "is to be by my side, a mere extension

argue, to stand up for herself. But when he spoke, it was as if the world b

d the city. His back was turned to her, but she could feel his pres

"was nothing but a lie. Your family, your wealth-it all meant nothing in my wor

stripped her of everything. She had never thought of herself as a victim-she was a f

" she muttered, more t

ng cruel, something to remind her just how powerless she truly was. Instead, he gave her a

carrying that commanding undertone. "You chose to come here. You chose to sta

he had been dragged into this world. But now, there was no escape. And no matter how much she w

she could see the cold glint of something dangerous in his eyes. His lips curved into a small smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Yo

ure. She couldn't let him see how deeply his words affected her. S

n in a dark suit entered without waiting for permission. He didn't

uation," the man said, hi

nce, turning his attention back to Isabella,

he was giving her an order or a warnin

situation was beginning to settle in. Alexander was not just some rich man who happened to control a criminal empire-he was the power. She

of luxury to a life where her every move, every breath, was dictated by a man she bar

g out at the city below. It seemed so distant, so unreachable. The woman she once was-

oing to survive this, she had to find a way to make herself valuab