I sat in stunned silence as the implications of Marco’s revelation washed over me. The Lion. The whispered name that struck fear into the hearts of even the most powerful families. And he’d been right here, making me coffee in the mornings, teasing me about my stubbornness, slowly working his way into my heart.
“So what happens now?” I asked, my voice steadier than I felt
Marco’s thumb traced circles on my hand. “That depends on you, Isabella. Nothing’s changed – not who I am, not
what I want.”
“Everything’s changed,” I pulled my hand away. “You lied to me ”
“I omitted certain facts. There’s a difference “His eyes held mine. “Would you have given me a real chance if
you’d known who I was from the start?”
The question hit home. Would I have? Or would I have seen only the power, the reputation, the danger?
*Your family was never in any real danger,” he continued. “I made sure of that long before I approached you with the marriage proposal. But I needed Antonio and Shanya to show their hand.”
Across the table, Antonio cleared his throat. “If we could discuss-”
“We’re done discussing.” Marco cut him off without even looking his way. “You’ll receive new terms tomorrow. I
suggest you accept them.”
The Russians shifted, a subtle reminder of the power dynamics at play. I watched as Shanya’s perfectly composed facade cracked, her lips pressing into a thin line of fury.
“Isabella,” Marco’s voice softened. “Let me take you home. We can talk properly there.”
Part of me wanted to refuse, to assert some kind of control over this situation that had spiraled so far from what I’d thought it was. But looking at Marco, I saw the same man who’d spent weeks slowly breaking down my walls.
“Okay,” I found myself saying. “Let’s talk.”
Marco stood, offering me his hand. This time, I took it.
As Marco and I stood to leave, Shanya’s chair screeched against the floor.
“You think you can just walk away?” Her voice dripped with venom. “After everything you’ve done?”
4 AM ď ď
Marco’s hand tightened around mine, but his expression remained neutral,
“You manipulative bastard,” Shanya spat “Playing the quiet, unassuming card while pulling strings behind our backs And you-” She turned her fury on me. “Did you know about this? Were you both laughing at us this whole
time?”
“That’s enough,” Marco’s voice carried a warning edge.
“No, it’s not nearly enough.” Shanya stepped closer, her perfectly manicured finger jabbing the air between us. “You set us up. All those deals, those territories we thought we were gaining? You were testing us, weren’t you? Seeing how far we’d go?”
I felt Marco shift beside me, positioning himself slightly in front of me. “Your choices were your own, Shanya.” “Fuck you.” Her composure shattered completely. “You want to know what your precious Isabella was doing while you were playing your games? Ask her about Alexander. Ask her about all those private meetings.”
My blood ran cold.
“You think you’re so clever?” Shanya’s laugh held no humor. “You’re not the only one who can play games, And some of us play for keeps.”
Antonio grabbed her arm. “Shanya, that’s enough.”
Lion.
She yanked free of his grip. “No, let them hear it. Let them know what’s coming. You think you’ve won? This isn’t
over. Not by a long shot.”
The Russians shifted uneasily, hands moving toward concealed weapons, but Marco raised a hand, stopping any potential violence.
“Come on,” he murmured to me “We’re leaving ”
I felt Marco’s hand tense in mine as Shanya’s words cut through the air.
“Oh, you want to know the truth about your precious Isabella?” Shanya’s eyes glittered with malice. “Tell them,
Isabella. Tell them.”
I lifted my chin. “My past isn’t a secret”
“But the abortion is, isn’t it? Her words landed like a physical blow “That’s right. Your perfect Isabella killed her
own child. Couldn’t bear to have Alexander’s baby, could she? And now she’s crawling back because he left her for
someone else.”
The room fell silent. I could feel the weight of every stare, the judgment in their eyes. But I refused to look away from Shanya.
“You think this hurts me?” I stepped forward, shrugging off Marco’s restraining hand. “Alexander was working with you
from the start. I’ve known for weeks. Just like I know it was you who pushed him to marry me in the first
place.”
Shanya’s smile faltered.
“What’s wrong? Thought I was still that naive girl who ran away?” I let out a harsh laugh. “That girl died the day she found out her husband was a cheat. That he was plotting with her family’s enemies.”
Whispers rippled through the gathered families. Shanya’s face contorted with rage.
“You think anyone w
accept you after this?” She gestured to the crowd. “A woman who killed her own blood?” “They already have.” My voice carried across the silent room. “Because they know the real story isn’t about what
I did back then. It’s about what you’re doing right now – trying to use my past to hide your own treachery.”
I watched as Marco stepped forward, his presence commanding the room without a word. The whispers died instantly.
“Isabella,” his voice was gentle but firm. “Let’s go.”
Makabumi Engigetta Thelen.
But I wasn’t finished. Years of pain and betrayal bubbled to the surface. “You want to talk about blood, Shanya? Let’s talk about how you and Antonio orchestrated my family’s downfall. How you used Alexander to get close to me,
to learn our weaknesses.”
“You can’t prove any of that.” Antonio’s face had gone pale.
“Can’t I?” I pulled out my phone, showing them the screen. “Alexander may have been your pawn, but his assistant was Marco’s. Every meeting, every deal, every backstab – she documented it all.”
Shanya lunged forward, but Marco’s men blocked her path. Her perfectly styled hair fell loose around her face, making her look almost feral.
“You think you’re so clever,” she hissed. “But you have no idea what’s coming.
“No,” I stepped closer, feeling Marco’s presence at my back. “You have no idea. Because while you were busy playing your little games, trying to destroy what was left of my family, you forgot one important thing.”
“And what’s that?” She sneered.
“I’m a Romano. We don’t break – we evolve “I turned to Marco. “And we know how to choose the right allies.”
Marco’s hand found mine, our fingers intertwining. The simple gesture spoke volumes to everyone in the room.
The Lion hadn’t just been playing a game – he’d chosen his queen.
“The meeting’s over,” Marco announced, his tone brooking no argument. “Antonio, take your wife home. We’ll
discuss new terms tomorrow.”
As we walked out, I could feel Shanya’s hatred burning into my back. But for the first time since Alexander’s betrayal, I felt strong. Whole
Marco led me to his car, opening the door. Before I could get in, he caught my arm
“Are you okay?”
I looked up at him, seeing the concern in his eyes. “I will be. We have a lot to talk about.”
