The days after the gala passed in a strange haze for Isabella.
She had expected backlash, but she hadn't expected a shift. A subtle one, but still… different. The press had softened. The public was no longer portraying her as a desperate gold-digger. No longer calling her an opportunist.
And Dominic?
Dominic was quieter now.
He spent more time at the estate, less in his office, and seemed to be studying her in a way that made her skin prickle with unease — or maybe something else.
She still couldn't decide if she hated him… or if she was starting to feel something more dangerous.
Something far less predictable than she had imagined.
It was a rainy afternoon when Dominic called her into his office. It was the first time he'd done so since the gala, and though Isabella had grown accustomed to the cold emptiness of the house, the urgency in his voice made her stomach twist.
She walked into the room, where he was already standing by the large glass desk, a stack of papers in front of him. His posture was tense, almost guarded, and for the first time, Isabella noticed the faint lines of stress on his face — something he'd carefully hidden before.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, her voice quieter than she meant.
Dominic didn't respond immediately. He tapped a pen against the desk and stared out the window as the rain beat relentlessly against the glass. Finally, he looked at her.
"There's been a development," he said. "One of my competitors, Alexander Kane, has been making moves against me. He's been trying to get my attention — and now, he's looking at you."
Isabella froze. "Looking at me?"
"I'm not blind, Isabella," he continued, his voice colder than usual. "You're beautiful. And you've been getting press. Kane noticed. He's trying to get closer to you, using you as leverage."
Her heart raced. "You think I'll fall for his tricks?"
"I think you're too invaluable to play the victim here," Dominic snapped. "I need you to make sure he doesn't get any ideas. I don't want you alone with him."
She clenched her jaw. "You're asking me to be your shield?"
"No." His voice softened, just slightly. "I'm asking you to protect yourself. You don't understand what he's capable of."
Isabella stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "And what are you capable of, Dominic? What's the real reason you're so insistent on controlling everything I do?"
Dominic stiffened. His gaze didn't meet hers. "You think I'm controlling you?"
"I don't know what to think anymore," she replied, her voice laced with frustration. "You want me to be your perfect wife, but you don't let me be a person. Just a part of your chessboard."
There was a long pause.
Then he sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Isabella, this marriage isn't about love. I told you that from the start."
"I never asked for love," she said, voice softer now. "I just… wanted a little bit of respect."
Dominic exhaled sharply, pushing the papers aside. He walked around the desk and stood a few feet from her.
"You have my respect," he said, his voice quiet but intense. "I don't give that to many people. Not even my closest allies."
"Then why does it feel like you're constantly reminding me of my place?" she shot back.
He stared at her for a long moment, the weight of his gaze heavy. He didn't reply, but she could see the turmoil in his eyes — something darker than indifference.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of the front door slamming shut interrupted her. She froze.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and before she could stop herself, she turned toward the door.
"I'll deal with this," she said, turning on her heel. "You don't need to protect me from Alexander Kane. I'll handle it."
Dominic grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not painful. "Isabella—"
"No," she said, her voice sharp, as she yanked her arm from his grasp. "You've made your expectations clear. Let me show you what I'm capable of."
With that, she walked out of the office, leaving him behind in the silence of his own making.
As Isabella made her way to the front door, she found herself face-to-face with none other than Alexander Kane — the man Dominic had warned her about.
He was leaning against the doorframe, a smug grin playing on his lips. Tall, dark, and with a presence that demanded attention, Alexander exuded charisma. His piercing blue eyes tracked her movements as she approached, and she couldn't help but feel the magnetic pull of his gaze.
"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth as velvet. "Mrs. Volkov. I've heard so much about you."
She stopped in front of him, lifting her chin. "And I've heard quite a bit about you, Mr. Kane. I didn't realize my husband had such an… interesting competitor."
He chuckled. "Don't worry about Dominic. He's not the one who interests me."
Isabella's pulse quickened as she studied him. "And what exactly interests you?"
"You," he said, taking a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "I've always liked a challenge."
Her heart beat faster, but she didn't back away. She wasn't here to be intimidated. "I don't play games, Mr. Kane."
He smirked. "Neither do I. But you should know, the offer is on the table."
"The offer?" she asked, her voice low.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek, black envelope. He held it out to her with a raised eyebrow. "I'm sure Dominic would love to know you're involved in something that could hurt his precious empire. I'd be happy to offer you a new opportunity… one where you have more freedom. More power."
Isabella looked at the envelope, her fingers itching to take it. But she didn't. Not yet.
She stood tall, meeting his gaze. "I'm not interested in your games, Mr. Kane. I don't need your help to survive."
"Don't be so sure," he said, his voice a low whisper. "The question is… do you want to stay in Dominic's shadow forever?"
Her pulse raced. But her resolve was stronger than the doubts he planted in her mind. "Goodbye, Mr. Kane."
She turned away, but she felt his eyes burning into her back as she walked out of the room.
As Isabella returned to her own wing of the house, the weight of Alexander's words lingered. The offer was tempting, and she couldn't deny the feeling that her marriage to Dominic had more strings attached than she'd initially realized.
But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to let anyone dictate her fate.
Not even Dominic.
That evening, Dominic finally came home.
But it wasn't just to check on her.
It was to see if she would make the right decision.
And Isabella could feel the storm brewing.
She wasn't just Dominic's wife anymore.
She was his equal.
And it was time for him to realize that.