Chapter 8 My Husband

Back home, Margaret's voice rang out before Isabella could even finish speaking. "What? You're married? Isabella Moore, say that again!" she screamed. In the past, Isabella would keep quiet in moments like this. But it wasn't because she feared Margaret. Instead, she felt she owed her legal guardians at least a measure of respect. However, whatever respect she once had for her adoptive parents vanished the moment they learned what Nathan was really like and still forced her to marry him. Now, Isabella refused to put up with them. She raised her head, looked Margaret straight in the eye, and repeated, "Mom, I'm married. We just signed the papers, and this is my husband." At that moment, Theodore stepped forward to shield Isabella behind him. Even as he faced her adoptive parents, he only nodded slightly. His composure never wavered, and the weight of his presence silenced Margaret at once. Margaret sized him up. His striking appearance and the air of authority unsettled her, so she couldn't bring herself to lash out. Meanwhile, Richard Moore studied Theodore before asking tentatively, "When did you and Isabella meet? I've never seen you around before." "We've known each other a long time, but only crossed paths again recently. I've loved Isabella for years," Theodore answered. Isabella looked up at him in surprise. His expression was solemn, touched with sincerity. For a moment, she almost believed him. Richard pressed further. "What do you do for a living?" Margaret stared at Theodore as well. In truth, that was the only thing they really cared about. It didn't matter whether Isabella married or not. Even the groom was irrelevant. Their only goal had been for her to marry someone wealthy, so they could cash in. "I'm—" Theodore began, but Isabella quickly interrupted, "He's a driver." Margaret's temper flared at once. "A driver? Isabella, are you out of your mind? You threw away the chance to be a rich man's wife and ran off to marry some penniless chauffeur? File for divorce right now! Do it before Nathan finds out!" she bellowed, her voice shaking the walls. Richard barked, "Do it now! If Nathan finds out, we're finished! We already took his money, and now you say you won't marry him? How are we supposed to answer for that?" Fury surged in Isabella. "Dad, between me and Nathan, who do you think was in the wrong? Don't pretend you don't know! Why can't we just return his money?" "Return it? That money's gone!" Margaret snapped. "I've transferred it to your sister. She needs it while she's overseas! "Isabella Moore! Divorce this poor driver now! If Nathan finds out and dumps you, I'll beat the life out of you!" Margaret was beside herself with rage. She looked ready to drag Isabella straight to the courthouse to sign the divorce papers. Theodore, thinking she might actually lash out, stepped in front of Isabella. Margaret glared at him, her voice dripping with scorn as she spat, "You're nothing but a broke driver! Don't even dream about it! Isabella is marrying into the Bennett family and will become the lady of the house. What do you have that could ever compare?" Isabella couldn't stand hearing Theodore being insulted. She pulled him aside and faced Margaret. "Mom, I'll pay back every penny Nathan gave you. Just think of it as repayment for raising me. From now on, I'll take charge of my own life!" "You'll pay him back? With what?" Margaret shot back. "We raised you all these years, and you think a bit of money makes us even? Without us, you wouldn't even survive this long! Who knows which alley you'd have ended up selling yourself in!" Her words had barely settled when Theodore's icy voice cut in. "How much?" His piercing gaze swept over Margaret and Richard, and they froze. Goosebumps prickled all over their skin as they stood rooted to the spot. "How much for Isabella to cut ties with you for good?" Theodore asked again in a low voice.